The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-25

money In the country was not worth
speaking Of.
"And no progress to speak OF IN q
hundred years" retorted Estenega- Then
he expatiated at length upon the unique
future OF California did she have gold to
develop her wonderful resources. The
priest said that to cut California from
her Arcadian simplicity would be TO
start her on her journey to the devil
along with the corrupt nations OF the
Old World. Estenega demonstrated that
If there was vice in the older civiliza-
tions there was also higher state OF
mental development, and that religion
held her own. He might as well have
addressed the walls of the mission. He
tempted with the bait Of one OF the more
central missions. The priest had only
the dust OF ambition In the cellar OF his
brain.
He lost his patience at last. 81 must
have gold. he said shortly, "and you
shall show me where to find it. You
once betrayed to my father that you
knew OF its existence in these hills. and
you shall give me the key"
and contemptuously determined face be-
fore him and shut his own lips. He was
alone with desperate man; he had not
even n servant; he could be murdered
and his murderer go unsuspected; but
the heart of the fanatic was in him. He
made no reply.
"You know me-" said Estenega. 81
owe half my power in California to the
fact that do not make threat today
and forget 1t tomorrow. You will show
me where that gold is or i will kill you.
"The servant of God dies when his
hour comes. II l am to die by the hand
of an assassin. SO be it,"
Estenega leaned forward and placed
his strong hand about the priests baggy
throat, pushing the table against his
chest. He pressed his thumb against the
throttle and his second finger hard
against the jugular and the tongue
rolled over the teeth, the congested eyes
bulged. ut may be that you scorn
death, but may not fancy the mode OF It,
have no desire to kill you. Alive or
dead your life is of no more value than
that of worm. But you shall die. and
die with much discomfort unless you do
as wish" His hand relaxed its grasp.
but still pressed the rough. dirty throat.
"Accursed hereticr said the priest.
"Spare your curses for the supersti-
tious."
He saw gleam of cunning come into
the priests eyes "Very well, if | must.
must. Let me rise and will conduct
you"
Estenega took piece Of rope from his
saddlebag and tied it about the priests
waist and his own. If you have any
holy pitfall in view for me | shall have
the pleasure Of your company. And If |
am led into labyrinths to die OF starva-
ton you at least will have a meal; could
not eat you"
II the priest was Disconnected he did
not show it. He took lantern from
thelf, Lit the fragment of candle and
opening a door at the back walked
through the long line of inner rooms. all
heaped with rubbish. In one he found
trapdoor with his foot and descended
rough steps cut out OF the earth. The
air rose chill and damp. and Estenega
knew that the tunnel of the mission was
below-the secret exit to the hills. which
the early fathers built as last resource
In case of defeat by savage tribes. When
they reached the bottom of the steps the
tallow dip illuminated but narrow
circle. Estenega could form no idea of
the workmanship of the tunnel. except
that it was not more than six feet and
few inches high, for his hat brushed the
top, and that the floor and sides appeared
to be of pressed clay There was venti-
lation somewhere, but no light They
walked mile or more. and then Este
mega had q sense of stepping into
wider and higher excavation.
I'VE are no longer in the tunnel
said the priest. He lifted the lantern
and swung it above his head Estenega
saw that they were in circular room,
followed probably ont of the heart of q
hill He also saw something else.
What IL that" he exclaimed sharply.
The priest handed him the lantern
Look for yourself he said
CONTINUED MONDAY.