Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-01-09

gay world must have opened its arms to
one so beautiful and so rich. For, of
course, she was well introduced" he
added to himself. Don Maurizio is
too thoroughly man of the world to
permit his daughter to appear anywhere
except with the very best chaperonage."
And he was justified in this opinion by
the fact that the aunt of whom Zarifa
had spoken was French countess. well
known III the Faubourg Saint Germain.
The pleasant, informal meal over, Don
Maurizio said: Now, Mr. Derwent, if
You will accompany us, | shall be very
glad to interpret between Senior Bar
rera and yourself, and something like an
understanding may be arrived at"
Acceding willingly, Derwent followed
his host to a room on one side of the
great passage of entrance, which Don
Maurizio called his private den" 1t
was fitted mp very much like an office,
with large, official looking desk, well
equipped writing table. and solid but
comfortable chairs, and had altogether
an aspect Of practical business-that as
pect which room always seems TO Dor
row from the character Of its occupant.
Lighting their cigars and seating
themselves the two men who had last
met at the mouth of the Buena Espe-
rama looked AT each other; and Der
went was Impressed afresh by the strong
face and the eaglelike eye of Barrera
"A man TO strike quickly and strike
hard when his enemy was facing him.
but not Il nam to shoot another from an
ambush. or 10 cause him to be SO shot
WAS his final decision
"Senor Darrera wishes me to assure
you. said Don Maurzio. after the for
ner had uttered few sentences in
Spanish, that he felt not the faintest
enuIlty toward you when ne was at the
lnIne, and that If Fernandez asserts that
he uttered any threats against you he
empty lies.
Tell hin, pray" said Derwent, that
have not the faintest doubt but that
Senor Fernandez hes. | have never be-
lieved anything that he has said to Inc
about this matter and am not sur
prlSed tn find that he has lied through
out Assure Senur Barrera that his
manner to me at the mine was sufficient
proof that he felt no enlnlty toward me.
Senor Barreya bowed with grave dig
nifty when thls was translated to him
Tell the senor. mi amigo" he said
that If he had bought the mine should
never have troubled him, tor | should
have known that he had done SO in ig-
norance and good faith. But distinctly
warned Fernandez that If the mine was
sold should shoot him, and, believe me-
| should not have lurked behind rock
to DO So"
Il 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 Senor Barrera would
not commit himself He would only
say that he believed Fernandez to be
capable du tout, and that the motive at
tributed-to punish Derwent and at 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
plunder, and, finding man lingering
behind the rest. had shot and robbed
him. when | am suffering from
false accusation myself is not the time
to accuse another, without the most
positive proof, said the Mexican quietly
He is fine fellow" said Derwent,
apropos of this remark, land 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 as
soon rs 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 heavy fine at least. He
is powerful enemy-a man of great in
nuence-and they VIII never rest untll
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.
Fernandez is capable of declaring
that you have been murdered and put
out of the way" said Don Maurizio,
smiling. mo, no; you must stay and
face the matter, When is the deferred
examination of the case to take place.
senorY" he asked in Spanish.
I'm about two weeks" answered Bar
rera, ut was deferred so long because
] it was represented that the senior here