The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-28

others, which had every reason -
avoid. I suddenly realized my peril
when 1 came IN sight of the house. ana
quickly turned away. I had gone but a
Few steps. however. when I heard foot
steps behind me.
Senior Americano," I heard some one
say.
Something familiar IN the voice caused
me to turn.
"Senor Harvey, Is II your"
could hardly believe my eyes. u
was Pedro who spoke. grasped him
by the hand. could have thrown my
arms around him and embraced him,
so glad was I to see some one who had
friendly word for me.
PEDRO cried, how did you know
that II was me2"
sa" you come out OF the bankers
pace and then followed Won. It was
dark. and you did not see me"
PEDRO. have escaped. 20 I said.
d senior Por aqui, ST le s7iste." he
WHISPERED taking hold OF my sleeve.
VIII ind you place to hIde-cons,
they will not find you"
/ was glad enough to 20 with him.
"nere should have gone had I not met
him? Truly. he was a. friend IN need
His pleasure. too, al see,,,r me ara
lis solfc1tude for my safet.. was an
parent
How came you here-and the senorita,
where Is she-what do you know 1
asked eagerly.
she has gone" he replied.
Where has she gone-and-with
whom"
She has gone" he repeated.
And Martin -
He went away somewhere. do not
know where"
And JOSEF"
Hes gone
They have ali gone. then. It seems,
but you. Pedro replied. half choking.
But you will find them. senior" he
said.
Il do not know" I replied. II have
been unfortunate. Things look dark.
very dark TO me. Pedro
I did not realize at the time how much
I was confding In this meaial servant Of
mine-this peon. trusted him He was
human. I could talk with him. He knew
something Of my plans. And who else
was there I could trust?
You have not told me, Pedro. why
you came back to the city" I said after
a little.
L came to find you. senor.'' he replied.
Il have a letter for you"
For me-" 1 gasped.
Yes. senior. It was sent to the notel,
and there was no one else to bring it
but me"
Where is it-let me see it, I cried
He produced the letter. crumpled and
dirty, but there was 10 light to read it
by and had not even a match
7
familiar with the streets where we we're.
but 1 made no inquiries as TO where he
was going. was willing enough to leave
that to him. At last we went into a
small shop, passed through a court in
the rear, and after following a dark
passage for some distance he led me
up a flight of stone steps 20 an upper
room of one Of the buildings
I'VE are safe here" he explained
The people are my friends.
It was dark in the rooms, and I stood
in the middle Of the floor and waited
some time until he could find and light
a candle.
The moment the candle was brought,
tore open the envelope Pedro had
given me. I had supposed the letter to
be from Martin, but in an instant I
saw by the feeble and cramped hand
him. II was "a follows:
have been taken by bandits. and
am held for ransom. Secure money
1000 peStas. from Messrs. Smith *
Rivera, and arrange terms. Some
one VIII meet you at TeXcocO-
PHILIP MELROSE-
over and over gain I read the note.
and scanned closely the bit OF paper II
was written on. There was nothing
mysterious about it Il was plain
statement of facts. and the situation
one in which any welI-to-do man might
find himself 1 only wondered how he
was captured Where was he at the
time and where was he going? II was
natural that he should appeal 10 me for
assistance. but how did he know where
to find me?
Where did you get this nOte2' I asked
Pedro.
1T was given to me by a mamie
knew me. He came TO La Puebla TO
find you. but You had gone"
What else do you know about it?
Who was the man, who brought It. and
Nothing. senior. did not know him
he knew me"
1t was plain TO me that the first thing
for NE TO do was 10 attempt 10 rescue,
Philip Melrose, or effect his release. in
some way. 1 could go TO TeXcOcO. but
II entered INTO negotiations with the
bandits. 1 would eventually have TO Sc
cure the money for the ransom This
would necesSttate calling upon Messrs
Smith 4 Rivera. l would be obliged.
too, TO communicate my information TO
Mr. Smith
1 could not do this / distrusted Mr.
Smith. 1 almost believed him to be in
with the bandits themselves
or at least with the police officials; and
likely as not in cffectiHg Mr. Melrose's
release l would let him fall into the
hands Of others who were almost. IL
not quite, as much to be feared as the
bandits.
The alternative left to me was that
might attempt 10 rescue Mr. MelrOse
This would certainly bea
fools errand, but I was in that mood or
frame OF mind which borders on desper-
alton
CHAPTER XVI.