Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-10-14
CHAPTER XIII.

Utterly astonisned, and with another
feeling that was not all astOnishment,
Smerdon rose and stood before him and
said:
Il do not know Of what importance my
name can be TO you"
Your name is of no Importance, but
you are of the greatest to ne. When
tell you my name You will understand
why. 1t is Miguel Guffanta."
"Guffanta!' Smerdon exclaimed. "Guf
.anta~
Yes, the friend Of Walter Cundall"
What do you want with me!" the
other asked, but al he asked he knew the
answer that would come from the man
before him.
But one thing now, though ten min
utes ago / wanted more. l wanted to see,
then, if the man whom l sought for in
London and at Occleve Chase, whom
have followed from place TO place till
have found him here, was the same maD
saw stab my friend to death in"
''You saw itr'
Yes. l saw it. Aud you are the man
who did it,
1T is false"
1T is true! Do you dare to tell me
lie, you, a Bah, why should I cross
NtTus Win luicIs
Il am 10 thief" Smerdon said, his an.
rs he felt his guilt proclaimed.
"You are! You stole his watch and
money because you thought to make his
murder appear common one And sc
it was! You slew him because you feared
ne would dispOssess your master OF what
he unrighteously held, because yor
thought that you would lose your place ''
Again l say it is false! I had no
thought of self! l killed him-yes, I!-bs.
cause | loved my friend, my master as
You term him, because he threatened tc
come between him and the woman he
owed. Had / known Of Walter Cundalrs
noble nature. as | knew it afterwards. nc
power on earth could have induced me te
do such a deed"
1T is infamy for such as you to speak
OF his nobility-but enough! Are you
armed tonight, as You were Oh thai
night?"
Il have no arms about me. Why do
you ask!'
ITO tell you that no arms can avail
ycu now. You must come with me-"
ITO where?'
ITO the village prison at st. Christoph
There l will leave you until you can be
taken to England"
For the first time since he had seen the
nvenger of Walter Cundall standing be
fore him, SmerdOn smiled bitterly.
'Senor Guffanta," he said, you art
very big and strong-it may well be
stronger than l am. But you overrate
your strength strangely if you think thai
any power you posses can make ME &c
with you. / am u murderer-heaven hell
and pardon me! 1t is probable / shall
&c a double one before this night is over
"You threaten me-yOu! You defy me-!
iuffanta exclaimed, while his dark eyes
cleaned ominously.
Yes, l defy you! If my sin is to b.
punished. 1t shall not be by you. at least
Here. in this lonely place where for miles
10 other human creature is near, l def!
,on 70 TO your worst We are man Is
e. y: d., you think fear your
In q moment Gunanta mad sprung At
him, had seized him by the throat, and
with the other arm had encircled his body.
80 be It," he hissed in Smerdon's ear,
sit suits me better than q prolonged pun
shment Of your crime would do"
For a moment they struggled locked to
yether, and in that moment Smerdon
knew that he was doomed; that he was
about to expiate his crime.
The long. sInewy hand Of the Spaniard
that was round his throat was choking
him; his own blows fell upon the others
body harmlessly.
And he was being dragged towards the
edge of the moraine, already his back was
against the wooden railing that alone
stood between the plateau and destruc-
ton.
He could, even at this moment, hear 1t
creaking with his weight; it would break
in another instant!
"Will you yield. assassin. villain !"
Guffanta muttered.
"Neveri Do your worst!
He felt one hand tighten round his
throat more strongly, he felt the other
arm Of The spapisxd driving him back;