The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-12
Chapter ".
THE CHIEFTAIN.

The province Of MattO Crosse IS very
beautiful the residences reminding
one greatly Of English country estates,
except that their architecture is on the
stiff Portuguese order. At least half
mile separated the scattered mansions
from one another and the grounds
were artistieally planned and seeming
" we'll cared for. At this season the
rich, luxuriant foliage of Brazil was at
It's best, and above all brooded a
charming air of peace that was ex-
tremely comforting after my late exe1t-
ing experiences. We met few people
on the way, and these were peasants,
who touched their hats respectfully as
we. passed.
We had driven some five miles when
We came to an estate rather more ex-
ltensive than its neigh borss for the hedge
of blooming cactus that divided the
grounds from the roadway ran IN an
unbroken line as far as the eye could
reach.
However. we came to a gateway at
last and turned into the grounds,
where magnificent trees shaded a wind
ing drive ascending to the fine old
mansion of de Pintra.
A man stood upon the porch sha d.
ing his eyes with his hand and gazing
at us as we approached. When I
ahghted from the cart he came down
the steps to meet me, bowling very
courteously, and giving my hand a
friendly pressure. No other person
was in sight. and the red cart had dis
appeared around the corner of the
house.
You are welcome, sir he said, in
a quiet but most agreea bic voice. you
come from my friend Nelson Har-
cliffe2 That was my thought He
paused to give me keen look, and
then smiled sweet, winning smile
such as I have seldom seen. "Ahi
may you not be a Harcliffe yourself?
Your features seem quite familiar. But,
pardon me, sir; I have not introduced
myself. I am Miguel de Pintra.7
I fear I stared at him with someWhat
rude intentness, for Dom Miguel was a
man to arouse interest in any beholder.
! Tall, spare, but not ungraceful, his
snow-white hair and beard made
strong contrast with his bronzed feat
ures. His eyes, soft and gentle in ex-
/ preston, were black. His smile, which
was not frequent, disclosed a line of
| even, white teeth. His dress was a
suit of plain. well-fittng black, supple
mented by irreproachable linen. Taken
altogether, Dom Miguel appeared a
/ model of the old school of gendlity,
/ which may be as quickly recognized in
4 Brazil as in England, France or Amer
/ lea. Indeed, it seemed an absurdity to
! connect this eTninently respectable per-
1 sonage with revolutions, murders, and
/ intrigue, and my spirits rose the mo-
ment I set eyes upon his pleasant face.
81 am Robert Harcliffe," said I, an
/ swering the question his politeness
of Marshall Harcliffe.
/ A flash of surprise and delight swept
! over his dark face He seized both
my hands in his own.
What" he cried, Nelson Harcliffe
/ has sent me his own nephew. the son
/ of my dear old friend? This is, indeed
a rare expression of loyalty!'
Il thought you knew" I rejoined,
rather embarrassed, for the fathomless
/ eyes were reading me with singular
/ eagern eSS.
Il only knew that Nelson HareIiffe
would respond promptly to my re-
quests I knew that the Castina would
bring my secretary to Brazil. But
whom he might be I could not even
/ guess" He paused a moment. to con
tinue in a graver tone: Il am greatly
i pleased I need a friend-a faithful
/ assistant
Il hope I may prove to be both,
SIR" I returned, earnestly. But you
seem not to lack loyal friends. On my
way hither from Rio de Janiero have
been protected more than once, doubt
! less by your orders"
! YES; the cause has many true adj
] herents, and notified our people to ex-
pect an American gentleman on the
/ Castina and to forward him to me in
safety. They know, therefore, that you
/ came to assist the Revolution, and il
: would have been strange. indeed, had
the royalists been able to interfere
with YOU
Your party is more powerful than
I had suspected I remarked. think
| ing of my several narrow escapes from
arrest.
I'VE are only powerful because the
| enemy is weak" answered Dom Mi
guel, with a sigh. Neither side is
rupture. It is now the time of in
trigue. of plot and counterpart. OF
petty conspiTacies and deceits. These
would discourage any honest hear
/ were not the great Cause behind il
4 alI-were not the struggle for free
dom and our native landi But come
you are weary. Let me show you tC
your room, Robert Harcliffe.
He dwelt upon the name with seem
ing tenderness, and / began to under
stand why my father and my sterT
j Uncle Nelson had both learned to love
this kindly natured gentleman of Bra
zil
He led me through cool and spacious
passages to a coy room on the GROUND
floor, which. he told me, connected by
a door with his study or wOrk-room.
81 fear my trunks have been seizec
by the government said [, and then
related to him the details of my ar
rest and the assassination of the police
lieutenant.
He listened to the story calmly and
without Interruption; but when it wa!
finished he said:
''All will be reported to me this even
ing, and then we will see whether you
baggage cannot be saved. There wer'
no papers that might incriminat'
your
'sNone whatever"
Then I gave him the story of Val
cour, or de Guarde, and he smiled
when I related the manner in which
the fellow had been deceived.
81 knew that Valcour had been dis
patched to intercept my secretary,
said he, "and you must know that thi
I parsonage is not an ordinary SPY, bu
attached to the emperor himself as
8 special detective. Hereafter" he con
tinued. reflectively. the man will bf
your bitter enemy; and although yol
have outwitted him once he is fo'
not to be despised. Indeed, Harcliffe
your post is not one of much security
If, when I have taken you fully int