The Mena star., 1899-07-20

et tcNti etitNt ttt1AA NIA l was 1NlUUllA re- moving the treasure. He might have spies all over the island, for all l knew. and some day my visits to Port Tarofofo might be reported to him. Then. again, if succeeded in getting all the money as far as my rocky ifs sure. 1t was sure to be spirited away by Sebastiano or the natives if they were successful in tracking me; and, eudgcl my wits as I might, there seemed no way in which l could sccrete it until the steamer returned without exciting spicion-susp which might cause it to disappear 1t any mo- nent. 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 q chance of seeing him for nearly four months, and there was some doubt of his returning even then. There was possibility of my reach lng Hap in the proa before he left that island, but it was pretty formidable undertaking. After spending consid- erable thought over the situation, however. it seemed unsafe to attempt any other move, and 1 determined to risk it.
 There was practically little danger that Sebastiano would succeed in ac- ccmplishing anything: not being nav igator, his investigations were pure guesswork ard dead reckoning from Guajan. Even if he did locate the reef, I 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 run ming across my equipment in the ifs sure and taking it with me was out of the question. While thinking the mat ter over I wondered if the padre had investigated Fray Ignacio's box. A scrap of conversation with Bartolo- meo which l 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 if might be months before anyone connected with the church would have occasion to visit either the crypt or the room contain ing the votiye 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 characters istic. So that. if 1 could add to the al- ready bad reputation of Tarofofo bay, neither threats, bribes nor persuasion would, avail to get a native within miles of the place. In view of this fact, my friend with the diseased wishbone seemed particularly fitted for the pur- pose, if I could only spirit him away. Sebastiano had partakcn 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 CT so after they had re- tired, l cautiously slipped into the church through tie little postern, as 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 piece of wire-but, as there was no time for investigation, stole
 into the cloisters and through the pas sage which led to the chamber contain ing the horrible images. The figure l was after Lad been we'll put together, ard was heavier than it should have been, besides; but, though the ghastly thing gave me cold shivers, pulled it from the fastenings with little cere. mony
 Holding the dummy upright before me, 1 quietly returned, and was about to open the postern, when the door suddenly swung wide, revealing burly form in the moonlight outside. It 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 an object of vital importance could have forced him to venture upon nocturnal prowl in such condition. The moonlight must have given that wax figure an aspect of blood-curdling horror, for, with a gasp of surprise and mortal terror, the radre turned and ran across the little snuare. around the tribunal, through the plaza. then over the bridge to the beach. had seen my advantage in an ] .-...a.. and holdiner fhe figure en that