The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-01-21

moving the treasure lie might nave
spies all over the island, for all I
knew, and some day my visits to Port
Tarofofo might be reported to him.
Then. again, if l succeededin getting
all the money as far MS my rocky fis-
sure, it was sure to be spirited away
by Sebnstiano or the natives If they
were successful in tracking me; and,
cudgel my wits as might, there
seemed no way in which couldssecrete
1t until the steamer returned without
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 nything; not being a nav
igator, his Investigations were pure
guesswork 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 knew from my own
experience. The principal thing that
worried me was the chance of his rum
ming across my equipment in the fis-
sure, and taking it with me was out of
the question. While thinking the mat
ter over 1 wondered if the padre had
Investigated Fray Ignacio's box. A
scrap of conversation with Bartolo-
meo which / had overheard implied
that he had; it 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 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. In view of this fact,
my friend with the diseased wlshbone
seemed particularly fitted for the pur-
pose, if could only spirit him away.
scbastiano 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. I cautiously slipped into the
church through the little postern, az
had done before.
Not soul appeared to be stirring.
The fact of the door being unlocked
was suspicious had expected to pick
1t with piece of wire-but, as there
was no time for investigation, 1 stole
into the cloisters and through the pas
sage which led to the chamber contain
Ing the horrible images. The figure I
was after had been we'll put together,
and was heavier than it should have
been, besides; but, though the CHASTITY
thing gave Inc cold shivers, 1 pulled it
from the fastenings with little cere-
mony.
Holding the dummy upright before
me. quietly returned, and was about
to open the postern, when the door
suddenly swung wide, revealing 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
lie had given his that evening without
protesting. Altogether, he was in
bad way. Nothing but an object of
vital Importance could have forced him
to venture upon a nocturnal prowl in
such condition. The moonlight must
have given that wax figure an aspect Of
blood-curdling horror, for, with gasp
Of surprise and mortal terror, the
padre turned and ran across the little
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 that
1t covered me entirely, glided rapidly
after him. When we struck the beach
he lodged around proa which lay
hauled up on the sand, and, with
screech of fright, doubled back over
the lower bridge. Picking up good
sized lump of coral. threw it with all
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, had be-
come acquainted with the islander
Miguel, who had presented the church
with his ef1igy in wax after recovering
from his strange and terrible disease,
we'll enough to remember the proa in
which he always. sailed. This lay not
far from my own; and it seemed en-
inently fitting that the owners ghost
should put to sea in it. Lest anyone
should have nerve enough to watch the
proceedings, I propped the figure in
the atern where concco1inp mo ~