St. Paul daily globe., 1894-05-06


Fred, as he handed the colonel a message
which lie had already written out.
Colonel Morton quickly seized the paper,
adjusted his glasses-the green goggles
he kept in his pocket, to be used only when
ae met the commodore-and read the follow
ng:
''Albert Howard, We are now absolutely
certain, with number of his men, has
left San Francisco, and may appear at any
time in the neighborhood of Buena Vista.
Have you heard from Lord Pelham? We
have strong suspicion, which is growing
stronger every minute, that if Pelham and
Howard are not the same man, they are very
closely associated, and they have made you
their victim. In accordance with the plan,
decided on before you left here, this is the
day set for springing our last great scheme
upon the stock market of the country. I have
sent out the order, and by noon, to-day,
everything will be in operation"
The colonel read over the message second
time, and more slowly, stroking his brows
against the grain, with his finger and thumb,
as was his habit when perplexed.
He was a man accustomed to emergencies,
fu-Nh " ehAh. t1u NuiCh W dCl, Ml6u
occasion demanded it.
''Tell French am here,' he said "and that
he has done exactly right. If he can spare
me dozen resolute men accustomed to fire.
arms, and who can be trusted if the occasion
requires, I shall be much obliged. Stand on
no expense to get them here at once. They
can come as workingmen for whom it is
known that have advertised.''
The colonel sat down and watched the op-
orator, as though to make sure that the mes
sage was going exactly as he had dictated it.
The young man must have been exceeding
ly expert, for within a few minutes he had
not only sent the coioneis message but re-
ceiyed one from San Francisco, which, instead
of writing down, he translated from the KEYS.
in this way:
"Can you not come to San Francisco at
once? Ii this is impossible. send Ellerton to
represent you. He must come not as Doctor
Elerton. but as Colonel Morton, and owing
to the striking resemblance between you, as
has already been arranged, there will be no
difficulty in having him pass for the genuine
thing
''Say I shall try,' said the colonel, as he
rose to his feet; and if I cannot so, will send
Ellertcn, if not this afternoon, at least early
tomorrow morning. In the meantime tell
them i'll San Francisco that business of the
greatest importance commands my attention
here, and that they are not to call me up till
this afternoon, but to push everything, as has
already been agreed upon.
Fred, the operator, bowed his head in un-
derstanding of what the colonel said and bent
over his clicking instrument.
Colonel Morton hurried down again to his
private Office. By means of an electric bell
he summoned the man in charge of his sta
bles and ordered him to hitch up fast team
to his private buggy and bring it round to the
front of the house at once. This done, the
colonel hurriedly changed his clothes, ad-
justed his blue goggles, and, waiting till he
heard the rafting of the wheels outside,
jumped into the buggy and dashed away.
He had not seen Commodore West this
morning nor even made an inquiry as to the
condition of Ralph Holmes. It was his pur-
pose to have met his guests, but now matters
of greater Importance commanded his atten-
ton. He drove with all speed to San Bernal.
them in before the stables of the Gomez
House. Here he flung the reins to hostler
and sent for the landlord.
As Colonel Morton owned the hotel and had
mortgage on its furniture the Mexican land
lord was one of his most obsequious friends,
and soon appeared before him.
"Is there man stopping here named Lord
Pelham?" was the colonePs first request.
Eyes, senior, I think there isl was the re.
ply.
.Are You not sure?" demanded the colonel.
ferceiy.