The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-10-10


command"
There is something in the situation
here that you do not know" said Co
mez, "and which does not concern you
personally; but it does me. You have
seen Garza's daughter?"
Mattazudo's eyes opened.
The beauty! Oh, yes, I have seen
her! What eyes! What an anlle!"
Gomez looked displeased.
"Her eyes and ankles do not concern
you,' he said. Now, listen to what |
have to say. By the power that Cara
had in New York, he obtained great
influence over the king. Cara was the
only man in the United States who
could obtain for us the money we need
ed to make our movement a success.
1t is, therefore, plain that for a time
he held us in his hands,"
''It would seem SO, certainly" said
Mattazudo, with grin.
"He used this power to compel the
king to promise to marry his daughter
when the crown of Venezuela had been
placed on his head"
Mattazudo pulled harder.
"Well," he said, cit isn't on yet.
Caracas is far from here. Why do you
grow disturbed so soon?"
Caracas is far from here, it is true;
but Caracas is not necessary to a
crown. Philip has already announced
that in one hour he will be crowned
king before his army"
Mattazudo looked surprised.
ga spectacle for the multitude! He
is wise," he said.
True. 1t is good move for his in
terests, but bad one for NINE"
"Ah! You want the coronation post
poned-prevented, perhaps. You would
like to be king of Venezuela yourself,
perhaps?"
Nonsense" said Gomez, impatient
ly. Gwen if 1 wished it, am not such
fool to try. 1t will be difficult thing
at best to maintain the throne on this
continent, and would be utterly impos-
sible without the help of Spain, and
Spain will help no one but Spaniard
of noble birth. What l want is far dif-
in its way. Let it go on. But the mar
riage of Lola Cara to the king must
be prevented. saw her and loved her
before Philip, and she must be mine.
Rather than lose her, would sacrifice
the king-the war-everything!
Mattazudo shifted uneasily.
You say too much" he said.
i & set Il 10 = ~
"You see how trust you
What do you want me to do?" ask
ed the half-breed.
Some time within the hour, Salvar-
ez will attack the castle. There will,
of course, be much excitement, and a
good deal-anything-can be done in
the turmoil. will contrive to get Phil
ip. and Don Juan out on the battle
ment, and while they are there, you
must in some way get to Lola's room
and get her away out Of the CASTLE"
"Well?"
Take her to some safe hiding place
near here, and leave her, bound hand
and foot. You know of a safe place,
do you not?"
Plenty. But why do you tell me to
do what you could do as well?"
"You forget. AS general in command
| of Philips army, I must be always at
hand if he should demand my presence.
| A short absence would be surely no
ticed. 1t would be impossible for me
to take the time necessary to get her
out of the CASTLE You must do it.
You must be careful not to be discov-
cred. You must also be careful not to
| fall into the hands of the soldiers of
| Salvarez."
you may trust mo. l am too old
to be caught in so simple thing as
this. But where is the girls room
How am to find her?"
Gomez took pencil and paper from
his pocket and hastily drew rude
plan of the interior Of the castle.
"Here," he said, follow me. This
room on the main hall was the library
of Salvarez. 1t is now the council room
Of Philip. At one end of the hall is the
east gallery. There, you will find door
as have located it here. You will find
Lola there"
II can find it" said Mattazudo.
Every well. Now, where will you
take herr"
Mattazudo studied a moment.
Zone mile up the Coroni," he said,
Gin hut, lives old Ramana-"
"Ramana the Carib! He who claims
to be the Indian king?"
''The same"
"Why, he is devoted friend of Sal
varez."
"Well, what has this to do with his
friendship for Salvarez? He is at least
an honest Indian, and that is some
thing. Moreover, it will not be diff
cult to make his loyalty to Salvarez
serve our purpose. Ramana does not
know am with you. 1 take the girl
to him, and tell him I have captured
her from Philip during the fight, and
he is to keep her until Salvarez or /
come for her. Later I can get her and
bring her to you.''
l