The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-16

wondered-at his answer first, then q.
another thing. "Why do they not coneF
| said querulously. "Are you sure that they
intend to come at all--that you have not
made fool of me for nothingp
His face grew bright moment and then
fell again. no. he replied; they set
watch on this house as soon ms they came
into the town, and are only waiting now UNI
til time when they may be sure that am
at home. That is all.n | found out after
ward that he was perfectly right in this,
So we sat in dreary expectation, waiting In
that little whitewashed room for the clang OF
musket butts and tramp of feet that should
tell US the crisis was at hand. The candle
porned dimly, 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 time, days before as it
seemed instead Of hours, when had still re-
garied him in the light of problem TO be
solved "And are you an artistf | asked alb
ruptly. | was glad to break the silence.
"Oh, yes" he said with apathy, II paint a
little"
"And that Spagnoletto-the St Christie
pheri Is 1t really an originall"
lit is the original. You were right" he
replied. 1T was the gift of great monas-
terry to the cause"
I whistled ~ think it is PITY I 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 tinkled nine times, could bear it
no longer. Look herem l said, rising, ~
am going out If you are right, | shall be
arrested, and there will be an end of IT, IL
hall tbn. R,
end Of this foolery Jockl lie there's good
dog" added pointing to the bed. And 1
strobe to the door. OF course was still dis
guised in Clients ulster and cap.
He leaped up and caught me by the arm.
"Por Dios!" he cried, clinging to me.
"You are going to betray mel You are Eng
lish, and you can give me upI" ...
MAN aliver' | answered furiously the
fellows distrust showed the black spot in
him so plainly; "if wish to betray you, I
need only stay here and tell the civil guards
who you areln
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 opened this and, meeting the
wind stepped into the darkness of the en-
trance, before which the embers of fire still
glowed family, | confess that felt nervous
very nervous. With each step that took
I looked for a challenge or violent hand
upon my shoulder; yet / sprang aside when
the lightest of touches fell on my sleeve
at is |, Pablol Go no further" hissed
voice in my ear. 'The street is guarded,
senor. have risked much to save you, but
can do no more. If you get through is it
Almonacidr'
"Si, hombre, si.n whispered Then clutch
ing in my turn the stranger as he was gliding
from me | continued: but stay, amigo Tell
me what can dor
II do not know. Have you no safe hiding
| place insidel' he answered, cautiously "Ha!
| what is thatr 1t was the sound of approach
| ing feet. As soon as this was certain, ''Let
me go!n he cried, angrily, trying to tear him
| self from my grasp ut is like youi You
would destroy me to do yourself no goodrn
released him. While he fell back into the
| darkness l retreated, cursing my folly the
while, into the archway and tried to efface
| myself against the wall was caught in
| trap.
The position was not pleasant one.
| Tramp tramp!-the feet came on so steadily
| and surely until half a dozen forms stood be-
tween me and the dying fire outside
| whispered word followed then a flashing
| open of lanthorns momentary starting
| back of all parties as mustached guard dis
| covered me, and with the ringing out of q
| word OF command half dozen carbines
came to the present in front of my breast.
''Is this our mani" cried the leader He
| did not wait for an answer but added, impe-
riously, Your name, senorm al
| 81 am English Is not that sufficient for
youi Have 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. q stood Client, holding a candle above
his head, so that his face was in shadow
while the light fell on us. He was pale, as
saw moment later, but he played his part
to admiration What is thisin he asked,
with the superior air which Englishmen per-
NIT themselves abroad. "What does this
meanp
| "Your name, sir!n cried the leader, by way
of answer.
'My name is Rouse Lynton, and I am an
artist and an Englshmann he replied,
haughtily. "Here is my passport, and ask
you again what this meansf
The officer cast single glance at the paper
and returned it. at is in ORDER he said
politely. ~ have made inquiries and know
about you, senior. Do not let me disturb you.
We are merely making a capture"
'But he, too, is English put in Client,
looking at me in well fegned surprise
''Ciertamentel but criminal"
"Good heavensl | do not beisve IL; it
cannot be- Is there nothing he added ad-
dressing me with concern, that can do for
you! Send u telegram, anything of that
kindr
yes" l cried eagerly, telegraph to the
English minister at Madrid
ut shall he done, and at once. Keen up
your heart.
"Spare your pains, sir" interposed the
| Iaa1a usftth ery.i,,, lt,-,,
! good. And besides, the office is closed
"Then will have it opened,n cried Client
hotly, acting the English traveller to the life,
and with a gesture OF encouragement he
ratified noisiy away,
"Your room is No l." dictated the officer
addressing me. Enter
did so, Jock sprang up, and with his coat
bristling about his neck, growled ominously
at my companions. | told HIM TO lie down.
at is the other Englishman's dog, said one
of the guards.
as that sol" replied the officer, glancing
sharply at me. "Then how comes IL in th,
rooml But TO work! Searchr
In five minutes their skllful fingers hat
overhauled the luggage which was lyin.
about, They found nothing to the purpose
"The bed, was the next command.
do not know what seized upon me then
whether it was sheer longing TO give vent /,
my excitement that carried me away, or tn
memory of Giants words, "And mems live
they will cost, that inspired me with som
sp.r t that certainly was not my own. | can
not say. Only know that when the ortc
"Now the bed" was given sprang between
and the searchers.
Nor | shouted, waving them bacl
"Waitn
If had dim notion of delaying them an
gaining time the attempt was as vain as
was foolish.
"Madmanw cried the leader, dropping III
mask, and suddenly beside himself wit
rage; 'stand back. Juan, Felipe, do you
dutym
flung one from mel anotherl had a m,
ments awful consciousness of carbil
leveled at my chest, of finger pressing @
the trigger, of a sheathed sword that struc
up the weapon a second before it exploded,
the officer shouting in voice of thund,
above the tumult, mo aquil Despuesm an
then q strong arm flung me forciby again
the wall | saw Jocls leap forward his teet
bdred-saw some one fire hastily-saw the d,
fall bleeding by the bed. The room gre
thick with smoke
"Oh, my Gcdn cried, and covered n
Il Ia. 4 H..