The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-10

| lie nad met with diSheartening cneck
at the very outset 1t was necessary
for him to produce the original con-
tracts made, and they were nowhere to
be found. After a long and exhaustive
search through nearly all the notarial
archives in Madrid, they were found at
last in the office of Messrs. Bernabeau
Il Sandoval. But the nOtaries fatty re-
fused to surrender them or even to give
an attested copy, as Brightsmith's name
did not appear in the contracts. He
then appealed to the British chancery
for protection, and was told by pert
attache that our minister could not in
terfere with the course of Spanish law
Next ne tried to get an injunction
against the persons unknown who were
| wrongfully Ing La Escondida. But
he could not name them, and was again
denied. With all this he was perpetual
ly worried to- fulfill small formaIities,
vexed with incessant delays and almost
| childish difficulties, so that at last he
was all but driven mad.
| watched him, quietly amused, for a
fortnight nearly, going my own road,
| which was not his, following my own
devices, which interested me ana kept
me fully employed, knowing all the time
| that he would come to me some day on
his knees seeking help and sympathy.
When he did | was ready for him.
This is the most eXasperating cOun-
try" he cried. Il seem to make no
progress at all. What are you laughing
| at?"
II laugh when I think what would
have become of you if l had gone home
when you suggested it,"
why, what sort of use have you
been?"
Come up to my room, Harry; I'll
show you something. l keep it under
lock and key"
There" l said five minutes later, as
threw him a heavy bundle of papers,
those are the contracts. HOw's that,
umpireT
He looked at me opened mouthed with
his little round eyes protruding.
What mOre?" | went on. Read this"
put a printed document into his hand :;
it purported to be the draft prospectus in
Spanish of the "Compania Anonyma de
la Nina Bien Escondida.' which was
shortly to be hoated in Madrid and
Paris with a capital of 100000 ron
or 100000, and which was to work the
very property that Harry Brightsmith
sought to save for his clients.
''They have gone over your head,
Harry This is Baskets doing; he is
here in Madrid, and / have had several
talks with him. He has jOckeycd you
completely. You are too late, my friend,
and will lose every silver unless"
1T is the rankest robbery" he cried.
ignoring my proviso. THE vilest swim
die. In England it would mean the
Mansion house."
This is Spain, my dear sir, and you
haven't a leg to stand on. But you may
save something's good dead-On one
condition. Indeed, have already agreed
to it on your account. Wait and hear
what | have to tell you"
This was my explanation.
1t CHANGED that soon after our arrival
i'll Madrid, when my friend was being
entangled in the meshes of Spanish law,
and l found myself much alone, l was
; lounging one day in the Puera Del Sol.
This ''sun-gate" is the general rendez-
, vous for all loafers at high noon, who
come here like lizards to bask and lay
! in caloric.
1t was crowded now, but not so dense
: ly that l did not see and instantly rec
ognize a face | knew.
The last time | had met with it was in
the Lanura de las Sierras. Its owner
then was dressed as a peasant in brown
: cloth and polianas (gaiters); now he
: wore long Spanish cloak and tall hat
: But it was the capataz, the overseer or
head man of the mule train; Of that
5 had no doubt. My memory for faces was
strong and generally unfailing.
He was not alone. The man who
: walked by his side was short. squat
coarsely built, ed-haired-unmistakab
English. He wore rough suit of
g "dittoes." stained and frayed aud he
| H., h. ~, ,P at br
elbows. while his slouching uncertain
gait spoke plainly of drink.
| had not forgotten Baself. the alb
sconding engineer. from whom the Liam
IRA property had been first obtained
Could this be he? 1t was a wild shot Of
| mine, but not impossible In any case
the first man, the capataz. interested mt
sufficiently to make me follow him
Surely something important had brought
him all the way from Andalus.a t.
Madrid.
A walk of half an hour from the Puer
Ia del Sol down the Gale Alcala and OF
brought me TO the gates of an ancien
and rather diapidated house, which
afterward learned was the Casa Almen
dral. the family mansion in the corte
or capital. of the marquis of that name
When the men parted at the door
noticed that the Spaniard touched M
hat with a very off-hand gesture o
farewell. | heard him say "Hasta !;
VISTA (Tfll next time. and then tn,
Englishman turned, retracing his step
toward the Gale Alcala.
I had already resolved how to act, and
stepping out briskly, 1 soon overtool
him.
'Mr. Raskelf, I believe" was m,
|
Il ance that he stopped and stared Sur
Is prise and suspicion struggled in his face
4 and he hesitated to respond.
"Surely we met in Mysore-in the gol
it felds?" L went on glibly. Il cannot b
Is mistaken.
le at must have been my brother" b
IS said, with obvious relief, while l blesse'
t. my stars my stratagem had succeeded.
o. "That must be my apology, ther
or Pray forgive my stupidity. But-we ar
going the same way, l think-may