The Irish standard., 1891-09-12

ight?" demanded the officer.
81 have been standing here for some
time, expecting the senior to emerge"
was the humble reply ''How would it
have looked for such a miserable-ap-
pearing being as to accost in public
cafe gentleman of your standing?'
"Wen, we'll! What have you learned?"
interrupted the other impatiently.
"a great deal, senior! A great deal,
and that which may be of interest 20
you
''Ah! say you SOP What is it? Speak
quickly!''
81 have seen this night"-began Jose
tia number of men, wearing black
masks over their faces, stealthily enter
the house of Don Manuel Ceballos."
Gay, ay, as I thought, exclaimed
Coras, with exultation.
s'But what more? Is there aught
else?''
Isl, 81, senior! I heard the counter
sign given by each applicant for adnnis-
sion, and it was Cuba Or death"
''Ah! Jose, you have indeed brought
me welcome news. Now, at last, shall
J be able to turn the father and son OF
the proud house of Ceballos over to the
executioner, or force the proud Isabel
to be mine.''
ssBut that is not all, senor," went on
the spy, as though ne had not heard the
remark of Coras and was anxious to
good graces of his employer.
"Well, we'll, fool! Why hesitate2
Speak quickly, man! While we are
babbling here the traitors may escape. !"
'sHave patience, senorl The guests
OF the don will remain where they are
housed now until the gray strealzs of
dawn cause the street lamps of Havana
to grow dim. While | was standing
concealed by a sharp angle of the wall
overheard two Of the men in the COM
pany talking together as they awaited
the answer to their knock There is to
be little business Transacted tonight,
remarked one. we are simply called
together to make arrangements for the
gathering of our forces at some place
on the coast, where a quantity of arms
is expected to be landed from Amer
ica'''
''Well, well, josef You have gone
far beyond my utmost expectations
Here are a few more piasters Take
them! Eut mind, you do not breathe a
word of what you have seen or heard
tonight to a. living soul
Calvo accepted the money, though
had it been light enough an expression
of disgust might have been seen fitting
across his not. unhandscrne features.
Then, with an ''adios, senor!" he hr1'-
ried away
Coras was now in possession OF what
seemed to him most valuable informa~
ton; but he was for few moments at
Loss how to take the best advantage
of it for the discontinue of his enemy
Had it not been for the latter part OF
Jose's srtfully rendered report he would
commander of the Spanish guard and
swooped down upon the little band OF
patriots, but the prospects of a more inn
portant capture in the near future de.
tered himfrom so doing
Though an arch villain, the man was
no coward, and Francisco Ceballos had
read his character correctly when he
OWNED that the conspirator would be
likely to present himself in person at
the rendezvous of the insurgent lead
ers.
'''Tis the only thing that l can do, :"
Coras muttered to himself ''Jose says
that every man was masked can
readily see what that was for. The
fruit is not yet ripe enough to be
plucl1ed, each one is afraid of the
other, and dare not disclose his identi-
.ty; so armed with the countersign.
and face concealed, may safely be-
come one Of the party, learn their
secrets, and escape detection Yes, l
win do it." So saying, the renegade
Cuban hurried TO his hotel to don 9
disguise.
Jose Calvo, however, did not seek
the wretched abode which he called
his home, but retraced his steps to the
residence of the Ceballos. This time
he did not attempt to conceal himself,
but walked slowly past the high.
arched, and grated doorway. having as
yet hardly made up his mind what
course to pursue.
: He had proceeded, perhaps, dozen
rods, when he was suddenly confronted
by Francisco and his friend Valdes-
The recognition was instantaneous and
mutual.
"What say you, JOSEF" asked the lat
ter. 'sHas the fish swallowed the bait?"
81 think he has, senior, for he seemed
highly elated over the report which |
brought him."
sit is WELL" answered Francisco
''Now. senior, we will separate and
draw apart that we may the better
watch this miserable specimen of hui
man vermin walk into our trap. Stray
not too far, Calvo, for Cuba may have
still some further duty for you to per-
form"
Isl, 81, senior. The call for Jose Cal
vo's services shall not be given twice.
And with this the three young men
placed themselves in such positions that
they could observe all who entered or
left the residence of Don Manuel
CHAPTER v.
THE MEETING OF THE PATRIoTs-THE TRAP
SPRUNG.