The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-17

moved the cover. Then, although his
back was toward me, 1 heard a rapid
fiutter of wings. followed by a strange
silence, and knew that Paola was fol-
lowing with his eyes the fight of the
birds he had liberated.
SO, my dear minister, / have at last
discovered your secret" said sharp
voice. and as Paola whirled about 1
noted that Valcour had entered the
room and was standing with folded
arms and eyes that sparkled trium-
phantly.
Orders to my men," remarked the
minister, quietly, and brushed small
feather from his arm.
True enough" retorted Valcour,
with a bitter smile. Orders to Gen
eral Fonseca, whom you strangely
overlooked in making your decoy ar
rests. Orders to Sanchez BaStrO, who
is to distribute arms to the rebelsi
And where did the third pigeon go, my
loyal and conscientious minister of
police? To MaZanOvitch, or to that
Miguel de Pintra whom you falsely led
US to believe had persisted in yonder
vault 2"
He came close to the minister.
'Traitori In setting free these birds
you have fired the torch of rebellion;
that terrible flame. which is liable to
sweep the land, and consume royallst
and republican alike!"
Paola, the sneering smile for once
gone from his face, gazed at MS ac-
cuser with evident admiration
You are wonderfully clever, my
dear Valcour," said he, slowly 'Yo GU
have wit; you have a clear judgment;
your equal is not in all Brazil. What
a pity, my friend that you are not one
Somehow. the words seemed to. ring
Valcour flushed to the roots of his
Il have you" he cried. stamping his
foot with passion. - GU nave tnWarleu
me always You have laughed at me
sneered at me-defed me! But at
last have you in the tolls. Francisco
Paola, I arrest you in the name OF the
emperor"
ION what charger"
1.-THE charge of treason!
PaoIa laughed softly, and in tone
denoting genuine amusement
Come, my brave detective, said
he: eve will go to the emperor TO-
gether and accuse each other 10 our
hearts content"
He attempted to take Valcour's arm,
in his inimitable jaunty fashion; but
the spy shook him off, and followed
Paola from the room, trembling Win
suppressed rage.
make of the scene, except that THESE
men were bitter enemies. and each en-
deavoring to destroy the other But
could Valcour's accusation be true
{
fred?
God forbid that I should ever meet
with such another man as Francisco
Paola againi Deep or shallow, cox
comb or clever conspirator, true man
or traitor-it was as impossible to read
him or to judge his real character as
to solve the mighty, Questionable
secrets of nature
one moment I called him traitor;
the next was sure he was faithful TO
the Cause. But who could Judge the
man Alright? Not I, indeed!
Thus rejecting, I approached the
window and looked out. Eight feet be-
low me one of the Uruguayan guards
paced back and forth upon the green
lawn, his short carbine underneath his
arm, and poniard swinging at his
side.
The fellow looked up and saw me-
ssClose that window" he command
ed, with a scowl.
obeyed. sliding the sash to its
place. But still I gazed through the
glass at the labyrinth of walks and
hedges defining. the extensive gardens
at this side Of the house knew