Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1888-06-09

| treSs-my mattress now.
''Why do you not destroy themY' asked
| "There is no time" he answered sullenly
| Them moved by the force of habit think
he sat down on the bed precisely over them
| l wondered-at his answer first, then al
another thing "Why do they not Gomez
l said querulously "Are you sure that they
intend to come at all--that you have not
made fool of me for nothingr
His face grew bright moment and ther
fell again. "No," he replied; ''they set &
watch on this house as soon as they came
into the town, and are only waiting now TN.
til time when they may be sure that am
at home. That is ALL" l found out after.
ward that he was perfectly right in this.
| So we sat in dreary expectation, waiting ir
that little whitewashed room for the clang Of
musket butts and tramp of feet that shol.ld
! tell us the crisis was at hand. The can liz
burned dim!y, the air was heavy with the
pungent odor that rose from the brasero. My
| eye fell upon his empty easel and the sight
carried me back to a time, days before as it
seemed instead of hours, when l had still re-
| garded him in the light of a problem to be
solved. "And are you an artist!" | asked abb
ruptly was glad to break the silence.
ooh, yes" lie said with apathy, 81 paint
| little"
"And that Spagnoletto-the st. Christie
phere Is it really an originate"
ut is the original. You were right" he
replied at was the gift of great nlonas-
terry to the cause"
l whstled. Il think it is pity" said,
with jealous eye to the mattress on which
he was sitting The fancy that that price
! less Ribera carelessly rolled up might be
receiving with each instant some irremedi-
able hurt was dreadful thing to have on
| ones mind When my travelling clock in the
next room tinllled nine times, | could bear it
no longer. "Look herel" / said, rising, II
am going out. If you are right, shall be
arrested and there will be an end of it. If
not, l shall come back and there will be an
end of this foolery. Jock! lie there; good
dog!" added, pointing to the bed And l
strobe to the door, OF course | was still dis
! gyised in Clients ulster and cap.
He leaped up and caught me by the arm
| "Por DiOSm he cried, clinging to me.
"You are going to betray mel You are Eng
lish, and you can give me upl"
"Man alive!" l answered furiously, the
fellows distrust showed the black spot in
him so plainly; "if wish to betray you, l
need only stay here and tell the civil guards
who you are!"
He shrank back at that; l suppose he
saw its truth, and l went out, passing
down the gallery and the stairs to the outer
door. AS l opened this and, meeting the
wind, stepped into the darkness of the ell
trance, before which the embers of a fire still
glowed family, confess that l felt nervous
very nervous. With each step that took
l looked for challenge or violent hand
upon my shoulder; yet ! sprang aside when
the lightest of touches fe&on my sleeve.
SIT is l, Pablol Go no further" hissed
voice in my ear. "The street is guarded,
senor. l have risked much to save you, but
| can do no more If you get through is it
| AlmonacdF'
Isl, hombre, ST." whispered. Then clutch
! ing in my turn the stranger as he was gliding
| from me l continued: "But stay, amigo Tell
me what can dof'
~ do not know. Have you no safe hiding
olace inside!" he answered, cautiously 'Hai
what is thatF' 1t was the sound of approach
! ing feet. As soon as this was certain, "Let
pe gor' he cried, angrily, trying to tear him
self from my grasp. 1T is like you! You
would destroy me to do yourself no goodw
released him. While he fell back into the
darkness l retreated, cursing my folly the
|
myself against the wall. was caught in a
trap.
The position was not a pleasant one
Tramp! tramp!-the feet came on so steadily
and surely until half dozen forms stood be-
5ween me and the dying fire outside. A
whispered word followed, then flashing
open of lanthorns, momentary starting
back of all parties as mustached guard dis
covered me, and with the ringing out of
word of command half a dozen carbines
came to the present in front of my breast.
SIS this our manf cried the leader. He
Hid not wait for an answer, but added, impe-
riously, "Y our name, senorF'
II am English. Is not that sufficient for
youl Have a care what you are doing" l
answered.
Enough; enter Conduct us to your
room," was his order
went in. On the veranda, at the door of
No. 2, stood Client, holding candle above
his head, SO that his face was in shadow
while the light fell on u.s. He was pale, as I
saw moment later, but he played his part
to admiration "What is this!" he asked,
with the superior air which Englishmen per-
NIT themselves abroad. what does this
mean!"
"Your name, sirr cried the leader, by way
of answer.
"My name is Rouse Lynton, and am an
artist and an Englishman," he replied,
haughtily. "Here is my passport, and ask
you again what this means!"
The officer cast a single glance at the paper
and returned it. sit is in order" he said
politely. II have made inquiries and know
about you, senior Do not let me disturb you.
We are merely making capture"
"But he, too, is English" put in Clsnt,
looking at me in well feigned surprise
"Ciertamentel but criminal"
"Good heavensl l do not believe it; it
cannot be. Is there nothing" he added, ad-
dressing me with concern, ''that can do for
youl Send telegram, or anything of that
kindp
"Yes," cried eagerly, telegraph to the
English minister at Madrid"
''It shall be done, and at once. Keep up
your heart"
"Spare your pains, sir" interposed the
leader with grim smile; 'you will do no
good. And besides, the office is closed"
I