Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-05

his second would lose no time in brand
Ing the Am, rican as a coward and that,
according to the code duello. Captain
right to refuse another appointment.
In concentrating his mind upon these
perplexitics he also unconsciously con-
centrated his gaze upon given point
among the shrubbery Mt a spot where
two paths parted at an acute angle,
both TO disappear in the darkness, and
suddenly at the apex Of the two paths
he disccrned motion.
A first he believed 1t to be an animal
Of some kind, but it seemed larger and
presently he decided that it was hui
man figure stretched at full length
upon the ground and slowly, but sure
ly, approaching the window where he
stood. Instantly his perplexities were
forgotten, and he watched the ap-
proaching figure curiously. 1t was a
man clad in the charro costume Of
home tanned leather affected by ru-
rales, indescribable in color and almost
invisible Mt night. Pendleton realized
that he would never have discovered
the figure had it not happened that his
gaze was concentrated upon it at the
very instant 1t appeared. Two men at
the same window engaged in CONVEX
sation and not intent upon anything in
particular might have looked upon it
dozen times without seeing 1t once.
Quite naturally he asked himself the
- ha t-icit n
thought of an attempt at assassination,
but dismissed the idea at once, and aft
or conjcct..ing upon many possibili-
ties, all of which were improbable, he
gave it up and waited. The true rea-
son did not once occur to him. The
Mexican nature is naturally chivarous,
all critics to the contrary notwithstand-
ing, and Pendlcton was soon to have
ocular proof of it.
Tho stranger glded up the steps
with the silence and grace of SER
pent. and when at last he had disposed
his full length literally against the
building. with his face close to the
grating, he Kissed very much like one.
Pcndlcton in the meantime had re-
manned motionlcss and silent but when
the man Missed he replied in his natu-
raj tones by asking in Spanish what
was wanted.
"Silencew commanded the man in n
sharp whisper. at was who brought
you here tonight, senior. | have re-
turned for the purpose OF serving you.
II you will take the trouble to got
down on the floor as close to me as pos
sibc, there will be no danger of being
overheard. If it should be discovered
that am here, my power to serve you
will be past. and will be in grave
trouble. Que la gusta, senior"
pcndlctOn was amused. He was also
interested, and he did as the man di-
rected.
Say on" he said then. and the
stranger continued:
You have an appointment with
Captain Romero near the Passed at 5
In the morning. Is that true!"
"Qute true. unfortunately, for can
not keep it. If you have come here to
offer yourself as messenger. will he
a. l4OSl 81 al a VI .IINi, W AL spbi Pti
sion. will reward you to almost any
extent replied Pendleton.
Il will do better than that, senior, If
you will agree to the conditions l will
make"
What will you do and what are the
conditions"
Il will enable you to keep the ap-
pointmcnt yourself. scnor?
IL cannot imagine conditions that
would make me hesitate upon the ac-
ccptance of such an offer, my friend.
What are they: ! agree to them in adj
vance"
Il have the key that unlocks this
gratinS-that is. | have duplicate
which is as well. l have horses sad
died and vaiting, and there is still
time for all that is required even if you
should wish to send me to the city be
fore the hour for the meeting. If you
agree to the conditions, l will accept
your word, and we will start Mt once"
II have already agreed to them with
out hearing them. Let me know then
quickly, since you insist upon it,
AS soon as we are under the shelter
Of the trees l will blindfold you. You
are not to attempt to see anything, MOI
can you remove the banduge from you
eyes until | grant permission. YOU
must promise not to go to the city an(
TO make no attempt to see or to speal
to any person except those who are en-
gagged in this affair, and to them yo,
must not explain any of the circum
stances. If it is necessary to send IN,
to the city to communicate with you
second or another you will wait at on
place Of parting until | return. Ate
the duello there will still be time to re
turn here without discovery, and 20,
must submit to the bandage again, d,
exactly as | direct and resume YOU
place in this room rs il you had no
been absent. And there is one othe
point where l depend entirely upol
your honor, senior. 1t may be that W.
will meet people on the road on on
return. You must remember that I
will then be daylight. In such cas-
| would be obliged to remove the band
age from your eyes until we have pass
ed, but ! hope such an event may b.
avoided, but if it should occur we vii
remain motonless until can replac
4 bandage. One more thing and tn
last-you will promise never to recog
,nize me after tonight either by nam
or by sight, and that you will never at
tempt through me to seek he idcu