Evening star., 1901-09-14
CHAPTER XXXlU.
Coucha Waits for the Morning.

C0nck0 waits Tor the HGfn1nS.
The dead woman was carried into the
n,ortuary attached to the smaller chapel of
the Collegiate and placed in one of the
rude cofins which had been deposited
there in readiness upon the first news of
the plague. This being done the mind OF
RolIo turned resoluteIy to the problem be-
fore him.
Every hour the situation seemed to grow
more difficult As far as RoIlo was con-
cerned he owned himself frankly a mer-
cenary. fighting in a cause for which he,
as freeborn Scot, could have no great
sympathy. But mercenary he was in
his reckless, gallant. devil -take-the-h hind
most philosophy of life. there was at least
trace of treachery nor any backgoing
from a pledged and plighted word He
had undertaken to capture the young queen
and her mother, to bring them within the
lines of Don Carlos and till utterly baffled
by death and mfsadventure this was what
he was going to continue to attempt.
IT, therefore, the little princess We're not
in the castle, she must Immediately be
sought for outside of it The palace of La
Granja was. he well knew, surrounded
by eager and bloody-minded foes bent on
the destruction of all within it's walls. 1t
was conceivable that Isabel might already
be slain. though in the absence of the
daughter of Munoz he doubted whether
the gypsies would go such lengths. To be
held to ransom was a much more probable
fate. At any rate, 1t was clearly the duty
of some one of the party to make an at
tempt for her recovery
At the first blush Sergt. Cardono appeared
to be the person designated by experience
and qualifications for the task But on
the other hand, how could Rolo entrust
to the most famous of ex-brigands. a gypsy
of the gypsies. of the blackest blood Of
Egypt. the search for so great prize as
hEa 10 OF CYNaf to-
His thoughts turned next to FL Sarria
Concerning Ramon Garcias loyalty there
was no question, still less as to his cour-
age But he was hardly the man TO dis
patch alone on a mission which involved so
many delicate issues
The others-well, they were good fellows
both Of them John Mortimer and Etienne
But ii was obvious to- his mind that the
quest was not for them Rolo must go
himself That was all there was to it.
After which remained the question as to
who should command in the palace during
his absence. Here the sergeant was obvi-
ously the man. both from his natural tall
ent for leadership we'll as from the con-
fdence placed In him by Gen. Cabrera.
While he settling these questions in
his mind Rollo had been standing at one
of the windows where the two royal serv-
ants, young men of CASTLE, had been set
to watch, with La Giralda between them
to perform the same Office upon them To
these he did not think IL necessary to say
more than that they were to receive and
obey the orders Of Sergeant Cordono as
his own: the old gypsy would of a certain
" do so In any case.
Then the young man passed on to the
balconies occupied severally by Etienne
and Mortimer. He told them that he con-
sidered it his duty to adventure out to seek
for me missing girl. 1t came within the
terms Of his commission he said. that he
should leave no stone unturned to recover
the princess Neither Etienne nor Morti-
mer offered any objection.
THE saints and the Holy Virgin bring
You safely back'' said Etienne who
still in his pious mood. II will not cease
to pray for you"
Goodbye and good luck. old fellow"
quoth John Mortimer. But. l say. if
should want more ammunition where am
To get it?'
Such We're the characteristic farewells of
Rnllo's two comrades in arms.
Equally simple was It to satisfy FL Sar-
the great southwark balcony, which he
guarded alone.
BE Of an easy mind will be response
bic for all / can see from this balcony"
said the giant calmly. May your adven-
ture be prosperous, I would I could both
remain here and go with you,''
All that Rollo now had to do was to in
form the sergeant of his plans and to say
goodbye 10 Concha These tasks. however
promised sometime, more of difficulty
The sergeant was immovable at his post
behind the thick twisted vine stems OF
the balcony over the twin doors, by one
of which the royal party had attempted
Intentions Cardono bit his lip and remain
ed silent
do you. then. not approve?' asked Rollo
gravely, when he had finished.
Who is to command here In your abb
sence?' answered the sergeant in the
young Scots own national manner
THE command will naturally devoIve on
yourself said Rolo promptly. "You will
have the entire responsibility within the
palacei''
Which includes complete discretion, of
course?'
Certainly" answered Rollo.
'.Then," said the sergeant firmly my
first act will be to lay Senior Don Fernando
Munoz by the heels,'
'As TO that, you can do as you like" said
Rollo. but remember that you may lind
yourself with another mad woman on your
hands in the person Of the queen regent"
II know how to deal with herr replied
the sergeant, ''go your way. colonel. De-
pend upon 1t. the palace will be defended
and justice be doner
Polio nodded and was turning on his heel
without speaking, for the thought of his
Interview with Concha was beginning to lie
heavy on his mind, when whisper from
the sergeant called him back.
when you are ready to go return
hither." he said. II have the safest way
out of the palace to show you without so
much as the opening Of door or the un-
barring of a window"
Rollo nodded again. He marveled how It