The times., 1901-03-24


odd experience. my5 faith. after ten years
of Los Perdidoi
Night had fallen when Pedro Martoyai
threw open the door Of Number Eight for
the second unwonted time that day. Don
Enrico had for once abandoned his crusts
and was nervously pacing his narrow linn
its-three strides and turn. three strides
and turn. three strides and turn. When
he saw the gaoler he halted.
4 have changed my mind, Master
Pedro" he cried. rEyil viii come of this.
After ten years of habit a mans fool
to change even for the better.
Pedro opened the door to its widest and
waved his lantern til the shadows dane
ed in the passageway like 50 many black
imps.
Come. senor," he said, persuasively,
after the second cup things will look less
difficult. That is a way wine has, when
one has enough Besides, Don Enrico
Number Nine is waiting; and he drew
| him By the sleeve into the passage, locking
the door behind.
The crown senor?''
Take it, answered Number Eight;
but had rather give you two and bide
MartovaI shook his head. Not for two
crowns he said. No: not for two. Four,
| now: perhaps we could disappoint Senior
Number Nine for fouT?
"A fine price to pay for the privilege of
a cell in Los Perdido. No man; we'll on"
AT the end of the passage a thin gleam
| lay like a knife-edge across the blackness,
again hesitated. Tell me, Master Pedro
! it is long since / have been in the world
| these clothes, good enough no doubt for
a gentlemans retirement, are they-eh?'
Pedro Martoval held up his lantern. and
in the circle of its light Number Eight
turned round slowly
Beautiful. senor. beautiful. Not this
years fashion, perhaps, nor yet last 8;
but there is nothing to match them with
in there, unless an overworn cassock be
counted finer than doubIet and hose.
r1r TArr, fyFa hon
a priest? Faith. it's long since I've been
to confession, but except a lust for muir
der now and then-you pardon it, do you
! not? You are chiefly concernedi-there
! little to tell him that's new"
Nay, senor, no priest, But in retire
ment, why, gentleman may wear what
pleases his purse best.
My faith, yes, answered Number
Eight. 'Or l would be less out at elbows.
I Let us in then"
/ The rush of light for all that it came
but from two guttering candles dazZled
| the eyes so long accustomed TO greyneSs-
! When his sight came to him again he
found a long, narrow room running from
wall to wall Of the prison, with grated
windows at either end; a wood fire
smOldering midway between the win
dows in open hearth against the wall,
opposite a table and two chairs in the
! centre of the room, and. standing by the
] table, Don EnricO Number Nine
He was dressed as Martoval had said,
! in cassock. rusty-brown through age,
| ana IElnSeu at the SklTJ-euSt DF H4uCI
wear If the garb was priest like, the
man was more so. though for the matter
| of that Number Eight and Number Nine
! had much in common. hair to the shoul-
| ders. mOustache to the beard, beard to
! the breast
! silence fell as Pedro Martoval pulled
! the door behind him n turned the key
! with an ostentatious click. The gaoler
| spoke first, playing the part OF master
| of ceremonies.
Alas, senors. | have forgotten your
names, and it is this gentleman mum )r
| to be called by the name which l, in my
| bad memory, have given you-Don EhTlco
| Number Eight"
AN excellent humor in mixed COM
| pauy,' answered the man in the cassock;
| no offence to you. senor. So let me
greet you-I am Enrico Number Nine,
and your neighbor.'
While he spoke the other had approach
! ed, eyeng him keenIy and with some
| thing more than curiosity.
You are right. he said identities are
! sometimes best forgotten, and at times
| too, they do not smen the better for a
| ten years burial Master host was there
not some talk OF wine in the bargain?
We are thirsty, and a ten years thirst IS
i'll to quench, %
"A word as to that answered Marto
val. 1t is understood, is it not that
there is no thought of escape?
The man in the cassock looked round
at the grated windows. and laughed.
Take word for that man, and the
more easily that we lose nothing by the
pledge. What Los Perdido holds Los
My thanks. senors:a but your pardon
again; in wine there is heat, and IN heat
! quarrel"
This time it was he of the doublet and
hose who laughed
Quarrel, fool? What should come be
tween US after ten years of Los Per
dido?'
Come, come. knave"' cried Number
Nine. Have done with this chatter; the
hour slips away The wine and the dice
box-though. by my faith. | have clean
forgotten the taste of one and the teei
OF the other Presently this gentleman
and | may renew memories
Aye said Number Eight. memories
enough, And now | think Of it, there Is
d game we might play
1t was in no smooth temper that Master
| Pedro Martoval went in search OF the
| liquor.
- Fool. said one; 'Knave, saith the
| other, and this to me, BY all the saints
! but one or other'lI be chapfalleh ere the
hour passes. though / would | kneW
which were which. Wine. IS 1t? rain
| the shadow of the block viii Ice the WINE
! of one for him cold enough
When be returned the two were seated
| by the table in friendly talk but wary