The Holly chieftain., 1905-08-18
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can, coolly.
''Good-gcod. Then they recogniz-
ed you as the genuine party in ques-
tion?"
Everything passed off in my
favor"
"Oh. what great luck we are having.
Senior Jack! Fortune brings every
thing in my way-I, who was only
lately contemplating fitting to Cuba.
where have some interests that
bring me in scanty living. 1 hardly
know how l shall invest my share OF
the spoils.''
Perhaps you may yet be saved the
trouble. my dear Senor."
What is that you say?"
We'll, only an old proverb to the
effect that there's many slip 'twiXt
cup and lip"
Senior Roblado laughs in his dis
agreeable way.
Il have no fear there will be any
thing of that kind here. Oh, 70, my
dear young friend. l have anticipat-
ed everything, and it is quite impos-
! sible that you receive the benefit of
| this great property without sharing
| the same with your wife and her step
/ father. Make your mind easy on that
score. for it does not worry me lit
/. tie bit. You signed the papers, there
fore l have you powerless.'
Pardon me, the only binding act
that | have done was to promise my
wife | would not force my preseLce
upon her, and that l shall keep most
religiously."
"But-the papers"
Il have signed none'
1 Senor Roblado seems In doubt
whether to laugh in derision or swear
Justify in Spanish. He looks at his
companion across the table and en-
deavors to read the cool sphinx who
leans back in his chair apparently in
tent only on watching the rings of
blue smoke that go curling up from
his cigar. Finally the artist compro-
misses; he realizes that 1t is necessary
for him to remain calm in order to
| keep on footing with this customer.
"Senor. are you joking?'
Never more serious in my life. |
assure you," comes the reply.
Then you mean to play me false.
Take care; am in position to hurl
you down from your station, even if
| have to keep you company, and men
of my race will never forgive treach-
cry. You swore to keep the faith
with me-"
Senior Roblado grows excited-he
leans across the table and endeavors
to throw bit of emphasis in his
voice; but Jack appears still at his
ease. and as he turns his gaze upon
his companion, something between a
sneer and smile can be seen on his
countenance.
| Pardon me again, but swore moth
| Ing of the kind, either verbally or on
paper"
"Carajo! beware, young man. You
tempt me too far. am no fool, neith-
er am l blind"
II had begun to think the latter,
else you must have caught on to some
thing before row."
Caught on-I-you say my eyesght
| is not good. Come, what have failed
to see beyond that you were double
rogue posing as gentleman? Tell
me, sir!"
Senior Roblado is waking up to the
seriousness of his cause. and as he
speaks he raps his knuckles imperi-
ously on the table. while his face no
longer appears tranquil, but inflamed,
his eyes blazing with gathering
wraAi.
First of all. that am not the per-
son you took me for. declared to
YOU that had signed no papers save
those connected with my marriage
That is absolutely true. You have let.
ters, but they were not written by my
hand, nor did l ever see them. No
wonder you look mystified, Senor Rob.
lado. shall have little mercy upon
you. Settle yourself comfortably
then. and listen, while spin little
yarn that will make the whole thing
as clear as MONDAY.
II had an appointment last night in
the Canongate. While I waited for
my friend to appear, hanson, driven
recklessly. lost a wheel and was
wrecked. The inmate, gentleman
| was badly hurt. and while we waited
for an ambulance to take him to Trim
ity hospital. he uttered various things
in half delirium, that attracted my
attention. AS I had once known the
unfortunate gentleman. thought it
might be an act Of charity to seek the
house of seven gables, and let the
good people know what had become of