Evening star., 1901-09-21
CHAPTER XXXV-Continued.


CHAPTER xXXV-Continued.
The sound Of brisk interchange of shots
came to their ears from the direction of the
palace.
These he young fools who run their
heads against stCne walls" said the huge
gypsy. I'VE are wiser men. They seek
gold and are In danger of getting lead.
Like you. we will be content with silver.
Altar furniture Is by means to be de-
spised. 1t fits the melting rot egg meat
fits eggshell. But whittier do you fare?'
II am passing in this direction solely that
] may reach place known to my uncle
and myself, where the pair of us have a
rendezvous" answered Rollo. mine uncle
Don Jose hath had no wish to meddle in
other mems matters, as indeed he told you
all this yesterday morning. But as for me.
seeing that / was young of my years and
desired to make my mark, he permitted
me to come. But l would rather give up
all my booty, though honestly taken with
the strong hand, than keep Jose Maria
waitngr'
The Moorish gypsy now laughed In his
turn.
Nay. that I doubt not" he said. 'brt
here we are good fellows. right Roms, true
TO each other. and would rob no honest
comrade of that for which he hath rsked
his life. Pass on, brother. and give to Jose
Maria of Ronda the respects of Ezquerra,
the exeCutioner who on the Plaza Mayor
of Salamanca removed the spike from the
iron cravat that so deftly marked him for
l:fer'
With a burst of gratitude quick and sim
cere Rollo seized the huge hand and wrung
II heartily.
You saved jose Maria's life-' he cried;
''then mine is at your servicer'
Pass on. boy, smiled Ezquerra grimly;
sit is not the first time since / became
NJ m ha hnr vi hot 7 ha,-a
able to do friend and brave comrade
good turn. Only warn him that now they
have new operator at Salamanca in
whose veins circulates no drop of the true
black blood of Egypt! He must not try the
collar twicer'
Rollo passed on with his donkey. and he
was into the second street before he dared
to lift the covering of hay which hid the
child. He expected to find her in a swoon
with fright or half dead with fear and
anxiety. Isabel the Second was neither
Take off that platter of metal" she
whispered. What funny talk you speak
II sounded like cats splitting. You must
teach il to me afterward, when Dona Su-
sana is out of the way. For she is very
French and Castilian, saying that all other
languages are only barbarian and useless
which. indeed, may well ber'
Hush. said Rollo; I'VE are not vet in
safety. Here is the way to the hermjtaee,'
But Will you teach men the cat Ian
guage?"
"1es-yes. that will, and gladly" quoth
Rollo to the little queen, anxious to buy
her silence on any terms; "as soon, that is,
as there is time
After passing the gate and the group
collected there, Rollo had turned RAPIDLY
to the right. and soon the ancient wallis
of the Ermita of San Ildefonso rose before
him, cleaning dimly through the dense
greenery Of the trees, If any OF the faith
ers who made their homes at that sacred
place still remained, the outside of the
puiidins gave no sign of their presence
But 1t was not time for Rollo to stand
on any ceremony. With a rough tug at
the rein he compelled the donkey to follow
a narrow widing path. which, entering at
an angle made its way finally to the main
thundered at the knocker. but receiving no
answer, he selected fiattish stone OF n
size suitable to pass between the iron
grflles of the window bars and threw -
up at them with all his force The ling
ling of glass followed, upon which pres
entity a white face was seen behind the
bars and mild voice inquired his busi-
ness.
Ihe brethren are either asleep or gone
apoat the affairs of their order in the
town; the monk said, there Is no general
hospitality here in time of paguer'
Il have not come to claim anyu said
RolIo, L am here to warn YOU that San
iideIonso Is In the hands OF wicked and
cruel men-gypsies of the mountains CaI
your superior and admit me at once
Alas: answered the man, "our prior Ia
oeao; ! only am almoner here and there
others
dead among the sick folk of the tou,n
They labored till they died 1 have Iaborad
also TO provide them food when they could
crawl back for it-setting IL In the euast
chamber and going out again unon thaIr
arrival-God knows not from anv fear Of
the infection, but because IL l CHARGED 70
be taken our work would be at an enS
For none of the others can so much as
COOK an omelet or dish up a spoon Of e.z
pacho mt for any son OF man to eat
Wen, said Rollo, "at any rate 10, Mo
In. carry no infection and the time 3.
snort L VIII help you to hold your herni
tage against the malefactors
but now, answered the monk shrsu,a
y, can be certain that YOU are not %
the gang and that If l omen tbe-doo VI "
hundred OF YOU will not rush I'm and slo
me and us all out OF hand?" "'
For moment even Rol,o was nonn,,.s
ca. but MS invention came upon him aI- :
most before the sound of the monk,s u,ords
mad died away. He put his hand into tha
annier of his ass and raised the Dr:ncass
upon his arm pi'heess
Shine light upon this little Isdyu
ne said, and see whether she will not con
vince you of my good intent"
III was moment or two before the man
returned with a lantern. and directed the
stream or light downward
The young queen!' he cried aphast
w nat Is she doing here at this hour Of
the night?" - VI
Let me in and I will tell you" cried
the lady herself. "Quick-do you hear7
! will tell Father Ignacio, my mother,s
oonfessor II you do not. and You WIN be