Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-01-05
CHAPTER XIy.-(Continued.)

haps you might tell what you know
about it,"
This was spoken in Notwithstanding
tone, and before st. Mare answered, he
directed the servants to withdraw. AS
soon as they were gone he turned to Tu-
del and in Il low, decided tone he said:
"Senor. you seem to hint that have
had some hand in getting Irene away
from here
Upon my soul. you hit the mark most
wondrous WELL" returned the pirate, de-
Yidingly.
81 should think might hit that part of
St. since you have given me so good di-
rections which way to look. But let this
ut once he settled. 1 know nothing of
the girls whereabouts, and as true rs
heaven. am as much surprised to find
her gone as you can be-
Tudcl looked his host in the face for
some moments. and the expression which
rested there plainly told what his feelings
were.
'St. Mare" he said at length, with
positive shake of the head. you made not
the least inquiry for Irene this morn
ing"
~ did not. for went out as soon as
j had eaten my breakfast
But yoa have always been in the habit
of doing 80. Until this morning, as can
prove by your servants, you have never
gone out without first inquiring for
Irene. You saw her last nightT
"Yes--I did"
"Aha-you change color, Antonio St.
Mare. You change color! Now, what
occurred ut your meeting with her last
eveningT
Nothing more than usual returned
st. Mare, overcoming, by n powerful eff
fort, the emotion which had manifested
itself upon his face.
by my soul, st. Marc, believe you
are lying to me-
"Ha! BE careful, Jilok Tudcl. ] am
not to be insultcd In my own house"
said the host, for the first time showing
his anger.
bah! DO you think to bluff me of
In that way?" rctortcd the pirate, warm
ly. by the saints, you can't smooth
this thing over so. You have planned
Ircne's escape. Stop! have marked
your manner ever since came back from
the Yankees, and I have doubted you.
Just remember, Antonio st. Marc, that
you are In my power. Our mutual pledge,
made years ago, has been most sacredly
kept by me. Now give me the girl--give
her ~ met
81 say, know no more where she is
than you do"
''Give me the girl"
Fool! Will you not"
"uold, st. Mare. l know you"
$50 do know you; and though know
nothing of the girl, yet, for her sake,
am almost glad she Is gone"
"You are, are you!" Kissed Tudcl, start.
III. 1t 4. a. ,,l,.
~ am"
"Thcn you've played me false! You
have. you lying traitor!'
"Jilok Tudel. leave my house! Leave
It l., fore l strike you!'
The pirates eyes havied fire. Natural.
ly reckless and impetuOus, this prOvoca.
ton startled the last lingering passion
into action the loss of Irene had irritat'
cd him enough to make him angry; and
now, believing as he did that the man
before him had used some effort to get
the girl away. he could contain himself
no longer. And he was not very far on,
OF the way In most Of his suspicion. st
Mare had hoped that Tudel might never
get the maidens hand, and he had shown
his feelings so plainly that man with
Less wit than the pirate possessed might
have read them. A few moments Tude
gnzed his companion steadily In the face
He was very pale, and his lip quiveret
with passion.
"AntOnio st. Mare" he said, In low
hoarsC whisper, ''now mark me-sinct
have been In the city this last time
You have shown plainly that you hopet
! should not gain possession Of Irene
hand; you were sorry that the Yankees
did net keep aud hang me; you canno
deny this"
II shall not deny it, interposed st
Mare.
And" resumed Tudel seeming not 4
have noticed the remark. this morning
you arose and ate your breakfast, an,
went out without inquiring for her as yO'
hpd always done before. And YOU had I
good reason for SO doing. You knew sh
was gone, and you meant not that pursui
should be instituted too soon. Now
scEOr-where Is she"
IT. Mares only reply was IN oath o
defiance.
''rhat's your game. ehT' uttered Tudel
advancing step. miserable traitor, tr
tina. aud see"
The concluding part Of the scntcnc
was swallowed up In fierce gasp o
rage. St. Marc raised his arm, but h
could not defend his face from the blow
The pirates clenched fist came down ~
on his temple and felled him to the tool
There. st. Marc-that's but a begin
ming VI what you'll get II you don't brin
Irene bNckr'
And with these words Jilok rul.
strobe from the apartment. 1t was som
moments after the pirate had gone Ii
fore st. Mare arose to his feet-and the
his first impulse was to rush after ID
man who had struck him; but he checke
himself, and paced up and down Il,
apartment. His head felt dizzy, and
dull pain followed full return Of col
seriousness. He had just concluded to 8
to his chamber and lie down for awhi,
when one OF his servants announced thu
nan wished to see him. at the sam
time LaudIg him u card.
"ShOw Ian in," said the host, after
had held the card up towards the windo
and looked at 1t.
II was nearly dark now, and st. MAJ
drew the curtains before the servai
came back. He had just returned to h
seat when the door was opened. III
newcomer was a gaudily dressed man,
the middle age Of life, and bore himse
with easy grace.
"Ah, st. Marc-fOund you at HON
eh9"
"Ay, my dear San Benito; and I'm gls
to see YOU. too"
"Ihauk Won I Wos down This wa