The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-09-01
that he had: 1t indicated considerable

that he had; 1t indicated considerable
displeasure with the resident padre
for some reason or other. If such were
really the case it might be months
before anyone connected with the
church would have occasion tS 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. bribes nor persuasion
would avail to get a~Hnative within
miles of the place. In view of this fact,
my friend with the diseased wishbone
seemed particularly fitted-f for the pur-
pose, if l could only spirit him away.
Sebastiano had partaken heartily or
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.
tired. l cautiously slipped INTO the
church through TIE little postern. AZ
l had done before.
Not soul appeared to be stirring,
The fact of the door being unlocked
was suspicious-l had expected to pick
it with a piece of wire-but. as there
was no time for investigation. l stole
into the cloisters and through the pas
sage which led to the cham Der contain
ing the horrible images. The figure 4
was after had been well put together
and was heavier than it should have
been. besides; but, though the CHASTITY
thing gave me cold shlvers, l pulled it
from the fasteIings with little cere
mony.
Holding the dummy upright beforf
me, quietly returned. and was about
suddenly swung wide, revealing a burly
form in the moonlight outside. 1t was
Sebastiano; but. fortunately for me-
his head was not as clear as usual. Be-
ing an inveterate smoker, his nerves
often went back upon him; and no
mortal digestion could stand the abuse
he had given his that evening without
protesting. Altogether. he was in a
bad way. Nothing but IN object of
vital Importance could have forced him
to venture upon a nocturnal prowl in
such a condition. The moonlight must
have given that wax figure an aspect OF
blood-curdling horror. for, with gasp
of surprise and mortal terror, the
nj he lie
square, around the tribunal, through
the plaza, then over the bridge to the
beach. had seen my advantage in an
instant. and. holding the figure so tina,
it covered me entirely. glided rapidly
after him. When we struck the beach
he lodged around a proa which lay
hauled up on the sand. and. with 8
| screech of fright. doubled back over
the lower bridge. Picking up good
sized lump of coral. threw it with al
my might and struck him fairly be-
tween the shoulders. That settled it;
| he ran as if the devil were after him
not daring to look round.
| Since arriving at Agana. l had be
come acquainted with the islander
Miguel, who had presented the church
with his effgy in wax after recovering
from his strange and terrible disease
we'll enough to remember the proa IL
which he always sailed. This lay no
far from my own; and it seemed EN-
inently fitting that the owners ghos
should put to sea in it. Lest ANYONE
should have nerve enough to watch thu
proceedings, l propped the figure il
the stern, where, concealing me. i
would show distinctly. then saile'
around the island to Tarofofo as fas
as the craft would travel. Upon reach
ing the cove, l secured Br'er Migue
among the rocks on Point Paicpouc il
such a way that, while invisible from
the outside, no one could enter tn
bay without seeing him. Considerin!
the possibility of discovery by som
one with sufficient education anG cour
age to investigate the thing. it seeme'
risky to put it on the point where m
fissure was.
There was no time to reach the tow
again before daybreak; SO. running u
1.-The east coast to a point where tn
islaud was less than four miles acros.
1 dashed the steering paddle in such
way that it would carry the pro
straight out to sea. and set ii adrift.
A valley which lay along the easter
" base of Tiniquio opened out in tn
neighborhood of sAgana, and by 81
o'clockeI pushed through banan
patch directly in the rear of the gobel
. nador's house. AS it happened. ther
was no one in the patio. and. mountin
IL. mo roon npohserved 1 came dow