Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-12


 1.-the Indian form well set off by tight fitting trousers and short jacket. He wore sandals on his feet and moved noiselessly across the floor Don Mau rizio, senor" he said wishes to know if you feel able to see him.
 The question had been asked so often before that Derwent was perfectly famil- far with 1t, and he answered in the for mula that he had learned, Certainly Beg Don Maurizio to enter
 Ramon smiled approvingly, moved deep armchair near the couch, and then, retiring. returned after moment, ush- ering in the tall stately form of his master
 How are you feeling today, MT Derwent? asked that gentleman with cordial smile as he crossed the room and sat down in the chair arranged for him | am sorry to be rather late in making the inquiry, but the doctor gave a good report of you this morning and 1 have been far out on the hacienda today My daughter accompanied me, and she is so devoted to riding that we made circuit of at least thirty miles.
 1t was the first time that he had men tiOnrd hls daughter, and Derwent felt certain thrill of interest at the name but he only replied that he was feeling much better, and was he thought, gaining strength rapidly. How could it be otherwise" he added, "in such delight ful quarters and with such admirable care? 1 do not know how l am ever to express to you, senor, my deep obligation for your great kindness.
 "Ihe kindness on my part IS really nothing" said Don Maurizio 'I am sincerely glad to have been able to be of service to you and to see you improving so fast But am sorry to tell you that the mystery of your shooting remains a mystery still The government officials have been making diIigcnt efforts to find the robber, but there is no clew as yet And. meanwhile, 1 regret to say that your companion Fernandez does not hesi- tate to accuse Senor Barrera of the out rage"
 What ground has he for the charge? asked Derwent
 'Only hls own enmlty, Ill my opinion" replied Don Maurizio: but he says that Barrera uttered threats against the whole party when he was at the mine, and this assertion Aramda- who is Fernandez toOl-corroboratcs Unfortunately, not having any knowledge of Spanish, you cannot tell what passed
 No" said D-rwent, respectfully, "l cannot tell. further than this. that if SenOr Barrera made any threats-and it is likely enough that he did, for he was very angry man-they were directed against the others and not, am sure against me.
 Hernandez affirms that he included you, as d probable purchaser of the mine. that he went away declaring that no one should buy the Buena Esperanza and live, and that his intention in shooting you was to inspire terror, and prevent the possibility of selling the mine to any one else"
 Derwent lay back on hls cushions, and was silent for a moment Then he said slowly: "l have been trying to bring be, fore me as clearly as possible the appear ance of the man saw behind the powder, and can most certainly swear that he was not Senor Barrera. The latter impressed me so much that l should know him again anywhere.
 "Unfortunately, that does not help mat ters," said Don Maurizio. Fernandez does not pretend that Barrera shot you himself, but he declares his belief that he had it done aud that the robbery was d hlind-nut to deceive him Eut the gov ermmeut.
 "lIc is more likely to have had It done himself! erred Derwent mpetuously, without pausing to consider his words
 Don MauriZiO's eyes met and held his, with flash You have spoken my own suspicIon, he said "l should not have spoken it, because nave no Knowledge of how long you have known Senor Fer nandez, nor what your degree of inti- macy with him may be But 1 certainly suspect him of q plot to injure Barrera and at the salne time revenge himself on you for your refusal to buy the mine know he said, answering look on Derwent's face, that this sounds to you very melOdramatic, but you must re- member that we are primitive people in Mexico, that we love and hate with a good deal of intensity, and that things as strange as this of which 1 speak are of sufficiently common occurrence among us"
 'l am sure, said Derwent that Fer nandez is very vindictive man, and suspect that he is also an unscrupulous one But 1t requires time to arrange a plot such as you suspect; and what time had he?'
 You spent the night at ranch which belongs to Aranda, The matter might easily have been arranged there dc not say it was, but it might have been 1t certainly afforded him an admirable opportunity to achieve double revenge to punish you and throw a stigma or Barrera which he may never be able tc disprove"
 But it shall be disprovedr said Der went, whose indignation grew as the | idea seemed to him more and more prob | able. "lf Fernandez is accountable fol this thing 1 will follow the trail like a bloodhound until fasten it on him Certainly his neglect in failing to return for me is very suspicious. He has beer here know. How did he explain that?'
 'Oh, plausibly enough; he is alway. l nI1nSilIa' yn11 rll,,,r |,