San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-18


another face interviewed between me and
the sky 1t was not Hates this time; it
was very different one-Christina's.
After peering anxiously downward for
several moments, she asked:
lis Herr Gainsborough there?"
Yes"
TIE Herr is not badly hurt?"
mot bit, Christina"
"Gott sci Dankr' she exclaimed
heartily. and adding, 1T is all well; you
will be helped out Immediately" she
vanished.
Soon other faces appeared, with boards
and helmets-the faces of the "Polizei."
In few minutes, by the aid of ropes
and stout arms, was drawn up once
more to the light of day, blinking like
an awkward bat.
Before me stood nearly dozen per-
sons, squad of police officers, with
their swords and carbines; Herr Ru-
dolph and Christina and three prison
ers-a woman and two men, whose faces
were unpleasantly familiar to me.
Some little official ceremony of identi-
fcation, and so forth, having been gone
through with, we all started for our
various places of destination. The trial
took place not long afterward in Ores
den; the prisoners were all convicted
and sentenced to- don't care to re-
member what. They were dangerous
gang of thieves, whom the police of sew
eral countries had long been vainly en-
deayoring to capture. But meanwhile
went back to spend the night at the farm
house of Herr Rudolph. need not say
that | scarcely had the courage to look
him and his daughter in the face. Herr
Rudolph was a most excellent and
blameless person, and as for Christina!
i knew not in what terms to begin my
apologies to her.
1t appeared that my little friend Helm
rich in Paris had had his suspicious of
the man calling himself Birchmore from
the first, and in writing to his father
and sister had mentioned as much.
when, therefore, the Birchmore party
unexpectedly turned up at the farm
house, along with the owner of the dia-
monds, good deal of perturbation was
created. Afraid openly to warn me in
the absence of direct evidence, Christina
had done what she could indirectly to
excite suspicious in my mind. Failing
in this the girl had actually gone down
to Schandau, on the evening of my in
teryiew with Kate in my chamber, and
loi1 har inf ooti NJ thn yon1ina
bureau The next morning she met the
officers by appointment at some dis
lance from the house, and they followed
us to Kohlstein.
After seeing the whole party of us to
the top of the Stein (Birchmore followed
few minutes after myself and the 9TH
ers), they formed Gordon at the foot of
the path and one of their number went
up to reconnoiter. Peeping over the
edge of the plateau, he saw Birchmore
Just making his attack, and Immediately
signaled to those below to approach.
Thus it happened that the thieves, as
they were making off with their plum
der, found themselves confronted by an
impossible Gordon of six loaded car
bines. Resistance was out of the ques.
ton, and they surrendered at discretion.
j sand what can | do, Christina"
said, ito show you how much thank
you? Of course don't speak of cancel.
ing the obligation-that nothing could
do; but should like to leave you some.
thing toto remind you that you saved
my life and my diamonds. Would you
wear diamond ring for me or a pair OF
earrings"
mo, many thanks, Herr Gainsbor
ough," replied the little maiden gravely
you owe me nothing, and as for dia
monds, shall never like them, since
have seen them the cause of so mucl
trouble and danger"
But unless you let me do something
Christina, must think you refuse Il
forgive me for my inexcusable imper
Thence and stupidity"
She looked down at her bare feet ant
smoothed her apron.
well, lieber herr, would not lik
to have you think that, truly. | do for
give you with all my heart. and lust be
fore you go away tomorrow, Just whel
You are ready to start, perhaps, if 20,
please. will ask you for something"
You shall have it. whatever it is"
answered.
So the next day, when the drosky wa
at the. door, and my trunk packed an
put on the box, left Herr Rudolph col
versing with the driver and went bac
into the house to find Christina Sh
was standing in shadowy corner of til
kitchen so absorbed in securing plate
that she did not appear to notice IN
until l spoke.
81 am come to say goodby and to clail
your promise, Christina"