The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-13

exciting suspicion-suspicion which
might cause it to disappear at any mo-
ment. 1t seemed imperative that
should consult Halstead before get
ting any more of the stuff above wa
ter; yet in case there were no passen-
gers for Guajan, as we had talked,
there wasn't a chance of seeing him
for nearly four months, and there was
some doubt of his returning even then.
There was possibility of my reach
ing zap in the proa before he left that
island, but it was pretty formidable
undertaking. After spending consid-
cradle thought over the situation,
however, it seemed unsafe to attempt
any other move, and I determined to
risk it.
There was practically little danger
that Sebastiano would succeed in ac-
comprising anything; not being nav
igator, his Investigations were pure
guessworl and dead reckoning from
Guajan. Even if he did locate the reef,
/ was positive that he had no diving
apparatus, and he couldn't do much
without-that I knew from my own
experience. The principal thing that
worried me was the chance of his rum
ming across my equipment in the ifs
sure, and taking it with me. was out of
the question While thinking the mat
ter over wondered if the padre had
investigated Fray Ignacio's box. A
scrap of conversation with Bartolo-
meo which I had overheard implied
that he had; it indicated considerable
disp1easure with the resident padre
for some reason CT other. If such were
really the case it might be months
before anyone connected with the
church would have occasion to visit
either the crypt or the room contain
ing the votive offerings again, and this
gave me an idea.
The islanders are intensely supersti-
tious, and it has always been policy
of the church to foster this character
istic. So that. if could add to the al
ready bad reputation of Tarofofo bay,
neither threats, brides nor persuasion
would avail to get native within
miles of the place. Inview of this fact,
my friend with the diseased wishbone
seemed particularly fitted for the pur-
pose, if 1 could only spirit him away.
Sebastiano had partaken heartily of
his late supper that evening, and, be-
tween them, the padres had punished
vast quantity of wine. Aside from
this, they were thoroughly tired out
by their day upon the water, and in
all probability would sleep like logs.
So, an hour or so after they had re.
tired, cautiously slipped into the
church through the little postern, as
I had done before.
Not soul appeared to be stirring
The fact of the door being unlocked
was suspicious-I had expected to pick
it with a piece of wire-but, as there
was no time for investigation, I stole
into the cloisters and through the pas
sage which led to the chamber contain
ing the horrible images. The figure
was after lad been well put together
and was heavier than it should have
been, besides; but, though the ghastly
thing gave me cold shivers, pulled i
from the fastenings with little cere
mony.
Holding the dummy upright befor'
me, quietly returned, and was abou
TO open the postern, when the doc
suddenly swung wide, revealing burl,
form in the moonlight outside. 1t wa
Sebastiano; but, fortunately for me
his head was not as clear as usual. BE
ing an inveterate smoker, his nerve
often went back upon him; and n
mortal digestion could stand the abus
he had given his that evening withou
protesting. Altogether, he was in
, bad way. Nothing but an object c
vital Importance could have forced hill
to venture upon nocturnal prowl
such condition. The moonlight mus
have given that wax figure an aspect {
blood-curdling horror, for, with a gas
of surprise and mortal terror, til
!, padre turned and ran across the lit.
square, around the tribunal, throug
the plaza, then over the bridge to tt
beach. had seen my advantage in a
! instant. and, holding the figure SO tn;
!, it covered me entirely, glided rapid
l after him. When we struck the beae
he lodged around a proa which la
hauled up on the sand, and, with
screech of fright, doubled back ov'
the lower bridge. Picking up goe
sized lump of coral, threw it with a
my might and struck him fairly b
e tween the shoulders. That settled i
t he ran as if the devil were after hill
: not daring to look round.
y Since arriving at Agana, I had b
= come acquainted with the island
r Miguel, who had presented the churt
: with his efiigy in wax after recoveri1
/ from his strange and terrible diseas
e we'll enough to remember the proa
i which he always sailed. This lay n
J. far from my own; and it seemed Ell
n inently fitting that the owners gho
n should put to sea in it. Lest anyol
o should have nerve enough to watch IL
j. proceedings, propped the figure
il the stern, where, concealing me,
s would show distinctly, then sail'
d around the. island to Tarofofo as ia
:, ,.4l,, Quo 81 would +rova1 Trpou ron