San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-28

for tomorrow is the day that will make
or mar our fortunes"
Everything is ready and awaiting
only your orders. Kulcan, Iklapel and
Jan-ila are confined, as you commanded
in separate rooms in the temple. The
old man is obdurate; he swears we have
killed Quetzal, but Kulcan may yet
yield to save his precious life"
The cruel, hungry smile crossed Chal-
pas face.
He will not save it even then, the
coward! am sorry did not place him
beside the false QuetZal; they would liza
beneath the water together and cease to
veX usl"
The maiden is at the house of her
grandmother, old Intzu, whom | have
commanded to prepare her for her fate
She is naughty and will not speak to me.
visited her but now, but | saw her not.
Still she is well guarded by men armed
with Quetzars axes We can thank him
for that blessing"
Il will talk with her" said Chalpa.
his eyes lighting with steely glitter in
the gloom. She will listen to me-!
Hank! What was that"
1t was a slight noise that made both
start, caused by Listah, who, returning
along the passage, stumbled over a
stone. He stopped at once, seeing Eric's
appraised finger, and stood motionless
Chalpa and Tepelpec, like two alarmed
rats, peered in every direction in silence
for awhile. Then Tepelpec said:
1T was nothing-a loose stone per-
haps." They noiselessly assembled the
ladder and disappeared.
All the while Eric's hand had been on
his weapon, but he was loath to kill
them in cold blood although he had
fully determined to slaughter Chalpa as
he would a rattlesnake or rabid dog
simply to rid the earth of a vicious and
dangerous animal. 1t had become SIM
ply question of self defense, and al
though he had been long in arriving at
such a decision he was resolved to carry
it out. In this he was justified, mas
much as Chalpa had twice attempted
his life, and would certainly kill him if
he had another opportunity. He could
not invoke the law in Atzlan with any
sense of security, and he would be his
own law and rid the city CT base
scOundrel
When the two had gone he stepped
down and related their conversation to
Listah. When he had concluded the
latter said:
"Tepelpec is right-there is much OBJ
lection to the sacrifice. People are say
ing it is time to abolish it. They say
that Quetzal was averse to it, and they
believe ne will return in time to prevent
It, But there is strong party in favor
of it too. They seem about divided.
Some fear Cnalpa and side with him"
Did you see Iklapel:'
Yes" replied Listah. He is guarded
by my nephew Aza, and he permitted
Inc to speak to the high priest. He was
filled with sorrow, for he thought you
dead He did not believe that you had
left us, as Chalpa has said, but he feared
that you were murdered. When told
him you were here he almost wept for
joy. He frightened up and appeared
years younger. He has told me how to
get to the vault under the temple by the
secret door which you know, he says,
and we are to go there and be ready to
rescue Leila tomorrow noon. He thinks
it wise to wait until then"
did you see Lela?" asked Eric, his
patience giving way entirely.
mo; she is with her grandmother
But Bari, my wife, is one of the weavers
and is allowed to see her; you can send
her message and comfort her."
LET us do SO at once" cried Eric.
"She must be told, for that her heart is
breaking l know too we'll. Go to her
and tell her all. Give her this knife and
tell her to use it upon Chalpa if he be-
comes too dangerous, but also tell her to
be cautious and keep our secret we'll.
10 quickly; will await here patiently"
Listah turned off, Gilbert following
him along the passage, but slowly. The
old man, accustomed to the dark ways,
could move rapidly, and he soon van
ished. In less than thirty minutes he
reappeared smiling.
''She is happy" he said. "Chalpa has
been there, but she tainted and defed
him, and he feared to touch her because
the people would know of it and be
shocked. She is now sacred in their
eyes. Jan-ila has been released, for they
think him not dangerous, suppose, and
he will be here soon with food and your
long thunder tube, if he can bring it
without detection. Everybody is busy
preparing for tomorrow, and perhaps he
will not be observed. We must meet
him. Follow me-"
They walked down the crypt until
they cama +o q Cr,o+ y,-bara +Lara y,-ae NJ,