Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-11-05

u am very sure of that said Der
went in reply ASK him if he agrees
with you in suspecting that Fernandez
is accountable for my shooting.
But on this point Senior Barrera would
not commit himself. He would only
say that he believed Fernandez to be
capable du tout. and that the motive TT
tributed--to punish Derwent and al the
same time throw suspicion on himself
was sufficient To account for the deed.
But the ranchero at whose house they
had spent the night had bad connec-
tons 1t was possible that one of these
had waylaid the party in hope OF
plumber. and, finding man lingering
behind the rest. had shot and robbed
him. when | am suffering from a
false accusation myself is not the time
to accuse another. without the most
positive proof said the Mexican quietly
He is a fine fellow. said Derwent.
apropos Of this remark, "and if they do
not stop worrying him"-for there had
! been official examinations and threats of
arrest and mprisonment-"l will go and
shoot Fernandez myself am very
sure that somebody ought to do it on
general principles.
"Barrera is under bond to appear ms
soon as You are able to testify concern
ing the affair" said Don Maurizio
''They cannot possibly prove anything
against him. for his alibi is unimpeach-
able. But on Fernandez's testimony Of
the threats they will pretend to believe
that he Had the shooting done. and the
result will be a heavy fine at least. He
is powerful enemy--a man of great in
huence-and they viii never rest until
they have ruined him.
"What can we do to prevent it--any-
thing" asked Derwent. Il am ready to
leave the country, if that will serve any
good purpose am the only witness TO
the shooting. They cannot prove it
without me.
Hernandez is capable of declaring
that you have been murdered and put
out of the way" said Don Manrizio,
smiling. mo. no; you must stay and
examination of the case to take place.
senory' he asked i'll Spanish.
lin about two weeks. answered Bar
rera. ut was deferred so long because
it was represented that the senior here
could not appear sooner.
well" said Don Maurizio. 'in the
interval we must do our best to find the
real criminal That is the only hope"
1T seems slender one" said Der
went.
He knew that it did not in any degree
rest with him, however; SO he sat by,
smoking and watching the changing
shadows over the wide plain with its
luminous horizon while theothers talked
in Spanish of probabilities and chances
which they alone understood. Presently
Padre Francisco, passing under the ar
cade, paused at the open window for
few words with the group. Don Maui
rizio and Senior Barrera each asked his
advice on the subject they were discus
sing: he spoke with them for some min
utes. and then. turning. said to Der
went:
'Since You cannot do any more here.
senior, and since il is not very amusing
TO listen to conversation in foreign
language. suppose you come with Inc.
1t may interest you to look over my
library. have good many English
books
with much pleasure" said Derwent.
rising with n sense Of relief
Joining the padre. they walked along
the arcade and presently turned into an
entrance which led to a small and very
charming court surrounded by clois-
terlike arches and full of cloister-
like quiet Not sound broke the per-
feet stiffness here. A few doves were
walking about the pavement in the cen
ter of the quadrangle. while the deep
blue sky looked down as if on something
shut away from the world and open only
to God.
sit is like bit of y monastery or con-
vent, said Derwent, CHANGING around
The priest smiled. There is the
church, he said, indicating a large.
pointed doorway opposite; land here
are my apartments close at hand, com
municating with the sacristy. Enter
senior"
Derwent found himself in a sitting
room which had mingled religious and
scholarly atmosphere. The deep win
dows looked out on the distant hills: the
floor was laid in tiles like all the rest Of
the house: the walls were almost entirely !
faced with shelves filled with books. and |
large writing table was also partially !
covered with volumes. as well as with |
many sheets of manuscript. while inn
mediately opposite the large char that |
stood by it was tall crucifix. the ex-
quisitely carved ivory figure of which \
was thrown into relief by the polished !
ebony of the cross. In the few vacant I
spaces on the walls two or three de-
votional pictures hung-notaDly beau
tiful Madonna and head Of st. Francis /
of Assist Beyond. through a curtained /
doorway. was glimpse of a chamber
simple in its arrangements as monks
cell