Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-11

even Agramonte, his friend, would find
1t hard to believe that he had been for
chilly detained from keeping his en-
gagement. He knew that Romero and
his second would lose no time in brand
ing the American as coward and that,
according to the code duello, Captain
Romero would have the undisputed
right to refuse another appointment.
In concentrating his mind upon these
perplexities he also unconsciOusly con-
centrated his gaze upon given point
among the shrubbery ut spot where
two paths parted ut an acute angle,
both to disappear in the darkness. and
suddenly at the apex Of the two paths
he discerned motion.
At first he believed 1t to be nm animal
of some kind, but it seemed larger, and
presently he decided that 1t was hu-
man figure stretched at full length
upon the ground and slowly, but sure
ly, approaching the window where he
stood. Instantly his perplexities were
forgotten, and he watched the ap-
preaching figure curlously. 1t was a
man clad In the charrO costume OF
home tanned leather affected by ru-
rales, indescribable in color and almost
Invisible at night. Pendleton realized
that he would never have discovered
the figure had it not happened that his
gaze was concentrated upon it at the
very instant 1t appeared. Two men at
the same window engaged in conver-
sation and not intent upon anything In
particular might have looked upon 1t
dozen times without seeing 1t once.
Quite naturally he asked himself the
reason Of the mysterious visit. lie
thought Of an attempt at assassination,
but dismissed the idea at once, and aft
er conjecturing upon many possibili-
ties, all of which were improbable. he
gave It up and waited. The true rea-
son did not once occur to him. The
Mexican nature Is naturally chivalrous,
all critics to the contrary notwithstand-
ing, and Pendleton was soon to have
ocular proof Of 1t.
The stranger glided up the steps
with the silence and grace OF SER
pent. and when at last he had disposed
his full length laterally against the
building. with his face close to the
grating, he hlssed very much like one.
Pendleton I'm the meantime had re-
mained motionless and silent, but when
the man hissed he replied In his natu-
raj tones by asking In Spanish what
was wanted.
"Silencew commanded the man In
sharp whisper. ut was l who brought
you here tonight, senor ] have re-
turned for the purpose Of serving you.
II you will take the trouble to get
down on the floor as close to me as pos
sible. there will be no danger Of being
overheard If II should be discovered
that am here. my power to serve you
will be past, and | will be In grave
trouble. one In gusta. senor."
PcudletOn was amused. He was also
Interested and he did as the man d.
| rected.
say OH, ue sdiu lneh, oho eno
stranger continued:
"You have an appointment with
CAPTAIN Romero near the Passeo at 3
| in the morning. Is that true"
"Quite true. unfortunately, for can
not keep 1t. If you have come here to
offer yourself as messenger, | will be
most grateful and, with your permls-
sion, will reward you to almost any
extent" replied Pendleton.
81 will do better than that. senor, II
Won will agree to the conditions ! Will
make"
"what will you do and what are the
conditions?"
81 will enable you to keep the ap-
pointment yourself, senior"
II cannot imagine conditions that
would make me hesitate upon the ac-
ceptance of such an offer, my friend.
What are they? agree to them in ad-
vance"
81 have the key that unlocks this
| grating-that is. | have duplicate
which Is as well. have horses sad
| died and waiting, and there Is still
time for all that is required even If you
should wish to send me to the city be-
fore the hour for the meeting. If you
agree to the conditions, | will accept
your word, and we will start at once
II have already agreed to them with
out hearing them. Let me know them
quickly, since you insist upon It,"
"As soon as we are under the shelter
of the trees I will blindfold you. You
are not to attempt to see anything, nor
can you remove the bandage from your
eyes until ! grant permission. You
must promise not to go to the city and
to make no attempt to see or to speak