The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-11-14
Eyes, yes" painted JacintA. IFS the I

wretch raise I.
mo. l think he NEAR to carry out
his contract, but it is impossible for
him to succeed. BY crouching at the
sliding panel we can hear all that is
said in the council room. Gomez was
there with Francisco. Gomez seemed
to think Francisco would play him
false and allow your father to escape.
The men that Francisco picked to form
the firing squad were friends Of his
own, and Gomez thought it looked sus-
picious. But Gomez seemed at last to
be treasured by Francisco, and they
talked or other matters. But Francisco
had no sooner left than Gomez sent
for an officer, to whom he gave this
order: The officer is to take some
men and lie hidden near the spot where
the execution is to take place. If your
father is not shot by Francisco he is
to be shot by the Others"
"Oh!" sobbed Jacinta. "Then there
is no hope for my poor father!!" !!
y want to help him escape" said
Medworth. "Have you not thought of,
the secret passage?"
Yes, we have thought of it; but to
what purpose? My father says the en-
envy were there, and drove our men
who were to blow up the castle from
the place."
mo; that was Tempest and myself
We alone know the secret"
is it so? All, but what good is It to
know that? An armed guard is lust
outside our door, and no other room
connects with the secret passage but
the library. Even if my father made a
dash for liberty, they would discover
his retreat, and all would be lost"
Can these bars be wrenched out?.
asked Medworth, placing his hand on
one.
+ NO. replied J~acinta; and as If to
test their strength with them. she
placed her hand above his. touching If.
AT the contact another thrill set her
young heart to luttering.
n in some way he must be as
sisted" said Medworth. 'The secret
passage must be reached" Il 81
Il can suggest nothing" said the
girl. Francisco was my only hope.."
How many guards are there?" he
asked.
cone" she replied.
Listen. You are not far from tho
librarz."
"-So. The distance from that door to
this is not great"
h l will go back, creep up to the
sliding panel, and see if any one is in
the library. If there is no one, I will
endeavor to fasten the door. Is there a
lock "
Eyes. We always kept the key hang
Ing near the door-on the right"
Good. If it is there still, 1 will lock
the door and bring the key to you.
That will keep others out, and your
father will know the coast is clear. Or
course, If they come and find it locked
there will be an uproar, and we shall
be defeated, but so we should be IL
any one went into the room unknown
to u.s."
"Not If my father was armed" said
Jacinta. IF there was only one."
mo, that is true enough. Better take
the chance then with the door open.
But | must go to see if there is any
one there, and to get a pistol for your
father. My own is in the secret pas
sage. Your father must be informed
of the plan while l am gone. When I
return, he must in some way attract
the attention of the guard, get him in
side the room and silence him before
he has time to give the alarm. Then
you can all three escape to the secret
passage. l will meet you there. When
you are safe in the caverns we can plan
further" and Medworth was gone.
The trembling girl lost no time in
acquainting her father with the details
Of Medworth's plan. While he listened
to her a grim smile played around the
old warriors mouth.
"a brave youtn!" he said. I'VE will
see how his plan can be made to
work"
(To be continued.) ~
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