The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-14

| to Kill you. To escape one danger IS 10
meet others: to escape one enemy is but
to encounter another. Why should you
sacrifice yourself? l can give you the
opportunity TO escape, and offer you
safe conduct out of the country
He was speaking the truth. 1t was
an impartial statement of the situation
I was in. So far I had accomplished
nothing, and 1t was true that the quarrel
in which l had involved myself was no
affair of mine. Moreover, l had inter-
ested myself in the cause of perfect
stranger, and even success might be of
doubtful benefit.
What of Mexican dungeons and as
sassins' knives? They threatened me.
| Could l escape them? What Of honor,
| or friends, of home, of country, when
my body was moldering in an unknown
grave?
/ 1t may be that the monk noticed that
1 wavered.
/ What is it you want?' l asked.
| Listen" he whispered. we want the
/ address of Senior MelrOse; where Is his
| hiding placer"
| I gave a sudden start. What of the
all powerful church. and the astuteness
Of its agents? What of the monk who
knew everything? Philip Melrose had
escaped them.
| I, too. would escape then. They
! thought that / knew where he was. and
| they would bride me. The price of my
/ liberty was the betrayal of my friend.
But it was not in my power TO give the
| information wanted. 1 knew not where
! Philip Melrose was, and honor, at least
was safe.
But what answer was 1 10 make?
| There might be a chance opportunity Tor
| furthering a plan Of escape. seized
upon the suggestion.
You will let me think the matter
Over?" l asked.
! Senior hesitates," replied the monk
with a grin.
| 4 ask for time 10 make up my mind.
You may have until this evening
the delay will not matter
J l made no answer and he backed him
| self out Of my presence.
! l was left alone to mediate on this
strange interview. 1t did not occur to
me at the time that his niece was his
| only heir. and through her his wealth
might go TO the church. fear that
w2s more shortsighted than the monk
| l presumed TO despise.
Later in the forenoon a servant
| brought me my breakfast. so they are
not going 70 starve me out of my fort
ress," I thought.
| I discovered a slip Of paper skillfully
/ hidden on the tray. Eagerly 1 seized it,
II was a brief note, written with a pen
Gil.
| Make your escape-your visit IS
known. Fly, fly! Am TO be taken to the
convent TERESA"
Coming from her hand it was a pre-
cious piece of paper. l placed it care
| fully in an inner pocket But, alas for
sentiment, I afterward lost II.
| I inquired of the servant when he
came back for the tray If anyone had
| called to see me. At first he said there
had been no one, but afterward ac-
knowledged that a lady-whom l salts
fed myself was the duenna-had in
Vuired for me.
So Senorita Teresa was TO be sent to
the convent. / had expected as much.
lit would be a safe prison. Unless l
could rescue her before she went there
my mission would likely be at an end;
for once within its walls escape would
be difficult.
I left my breakfast untasted. had
no appetite. I paced the room rest
lessly. I was both indignant at what
was to befaI her, and furious that l
was shut up in my own room. won
dered II Martin would come-he had
promised TO bring me a passport II
occurred 70 me that he might be OF
further assistance to me.
AS If thinking of Martin had brought
him 1 heard his voice outside He said
something TO the guard. and they let
him pass. In q moment l had my door
open, but he closed ii quickly behind
him as he came in.
II did not expect this so soon" he
said.
you are the very person 1 was wish
ing 20 see" I exclaimed. Selling his
hand.
HIN! You are in predicament!
he replied with a motion of his hand
toward the guarded door.
IT am In prison." I exclaimed. "A
double guard has been set over me
But by force OF sufrerance, and fear Of
an open rupture and active hostilities.
I am permitted 10 remain in my own
room. Do you think that l could not
! escape? But then, the difficulty Is.
where should I escape toy
81 appreciate your embarrassment"
replied Martin. in the best Of good ma
ture. Your position is unique-without
2 paralleI, as far as I know / appre-
lciate your embarrassment"
'I want you-to depreciate it, and help
me get out Of here-I mean. help me
Latter I do get out Of here. l am get
ting desperate-I have business TO at
tend to-"
L suppose you have been arrested as
q sDv. or being an agent Of the enemy
inst as I warned you that you would
Ibe. Did ! not have an eye to see what
was up?"
Yes. but you mistake the object of
nv arrest, and argue cause from an
/ effect. am telling you the truth
when I say that I have had nothing &c
i do with the accursed politics Of the
country. l am not in the political bust
ness as you suppose I am. 1t IS all on
account Of a little affair In which a
woman figures
'Oh, a love affair. is it?'' he asked. his
| lin curling. Il thought you were In bet
ter business than that. But it was SC
, from the first-a woman. You have
aroused the jealousy Of the Dons- II
? this event. I think your release can be
! arranged for, provided. Of course, you
, renounce the senorita."
stuff and nonsense I cried.
Exactly" rejoined Martin compos