The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-11-13

not wait up for me: but see that all
lights are put out except the one at the
head of the stairs, and the one in my
bedroom" said his master.
.'AIl right. sir" responded the at
tendant: but Is there any thing you
want before you start, sir?"
YES. you may bring in some claret
and ice and cigars
After each had lit cigar and drank
some of the wine. Dalaro arose to start
IF you care for my company" said
Velasquez. Il will walk with you"
Il have no objections" WAS the re-
sponse. Ave can finish talking over
the matter Oh the way
During these few moments great
deal was passing in Velasquezs mind.
lie was meditating on committing a
deed which would place him incom-
parative ease for awhile at least
lie rapidly weighed the chances Of de-
lection and made up his mind what he
would do.
lie was a man whose nature 1t was not
to rest unless his hands were stepped in
crime. and he hesitated at nothing
bSh SbnuSS SAu1C uAS ISdSb w
secure good round sum OF money.
Dalaro had not pleased him with his
carciulness; besides he was exasper-
atcd at his repeated losses by specula-
ton and ready for any kind OF deed as
a means to escape his difficulties.
Excuse me for a moment" he said.
before they started. Il wish to step up
to my room"
| lie was only gone for few moments,
but 1T was long enough to get what he
| wanted.
There WAS not much said between the
two men Oh their walk towards the town
and on beyond il TO the cellars; their
differences were settled and only one or
two minor matters were left to discuss.
When they were about two hundred
| yards from the entrance to the cellars,
Velasqaez stopped and seated himself
on log. saying that he would remain
there until Mario returned.
/ Mario Dclaro proceeded toward the en-
trance and was soon inside. 1t did not
take him more than twenty minutes to
conclude his inspection, after which he
did not wait but at once started down
the road toward where he had left
Nelasquez sitting.
lie could not see Nelasquez where he
had left him. but supposed that he
had walked on little way. lie whistled
and shouted: "Velasqnez! Velasquez"
But no answer came.
Suddenly he heard n slight noise be-
hind him, bu. he had no time to turn.
| 4 blow, groan. and Mario Delaro was
in the dust. He had received his deaf
wound and ve!asqsez was the murderer.
The blow had been aimed too sure for
the victim to retain consciousness more
than a second
Valasqnez dragged the body In be-
tween the vines, and, after making sure
that the deadly blade had done its work
! well. he lett his victim TO die.
Shortly afterwards Anton Reyman
passed by, followed in the course OF hall
an hour by three of the celiarmen, who
had been helping him with some work
that had caused a great deal Of trouble
and worry in the cellars Of late.
Nciasquez was IA; the De,aro home by
this time. He had entered the study.
picked the lock of the desk and taken
out his own note and the receipt he had
given Delaro for the fifty thousand dol.
lars.
After that he retired to his room. and
slept as soundly rs II gull, and crime
were perfect strangers to him.
CHAPTER III.
The morning after the murder Nelas
quez arose early, AS was the custom
with every one in tho Sonoma valley
and started out for ride. lie did moi
appear to have had very bad night oi
it and. for a man who must have had the
recollection Of q recent murder ever
present bafore him, he was remarkably
seif-possessed.
After leaving the party of men WHIT
were escorting the dead body of Marie
Delaro into the little town OF San Paola
he FASTENED to the railroad depot and
sent il message TO friends OF his victim i
young wife telling them VI the horrible
occurrence and warning them to be
careful in breaking the news to her.
lie then started back and reached the
little. low building, aignified by tht
name OF City Hall, u few moments afte
the officers rad arrived With thei
charge.