The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-31

still filed with wonder. what earth
ly power could have opened that aw-
ful vault when its key was miles and
miles away?1
THE earthly power was welded by
a. very ordinary little woman" said
Dom Miguel, with his old gentle smile.
when you rode away from the house
on that terrible morning Lesba came
and unlocked my prison, setting me
free"
but how" demanded, still blind
ly cropping for the truth.
by the means Of a duplicate key
that she had constantly carried in her
bosom.
7 drew a long breath.
Did you know Of this key, sir ~
asked after a pause, which my COM
panfons courteously forbore 70 inter-
rupt.
II did not even suspect its exist
ence." replied Dom Miguel. But it
seems that Francisco Paola, with his
usual th0ughtfulnesss took an impress
sion in wax of my ring, without my
knowledge, and had an exact dupli-
cate prepared. think he foresaw that
an emergency might arise when an
other key might be required; but It
would not do to let any one know of
his action, for the mere knowledge
that such a duplicate existed would
render US all suspicious and uneasy.
So he kept the matter secret even from
me, and gave the ring into the keep
ing OF MS SlSlGIs WHO was HIS Oily
confdante, and whom he had re-
quested me to accept as an inmate of
my household. under the plea that
am her legal guardian. This was done
in order to have her always at hand in
case the interests of the conspiracy
demanded immediate use of the dupli-
cate key. That Francisco trusted her
more fully than he has any other liv
ing person is obvious; and that she
was worthy of such trust the girl has
fully proved
''Then you were released at once?'
asked; "and you suffered little from
your confinement? ?"
MY anguish was more mental than
of a bodily nature" Dom Miguel an
swered, sadly; but I was free to meet
Paola when he arrived at my house,
and to assist him and Lesba in re-
moving the contents Of the vault to a
safer place.
''But why, knowing that his sister
held a duplicate key, did the minister
send me In chase of the ring Madam
label had stolen ?" I demanded.
Because it was necessary to keep
the matter from the emperor until
the records had been removed" ex-
planned de Pintra. Indeed, Francisco
was on his way to US that morning to
insist upon our abandoning the vault,
after having given US warning, as you
will rem ember. the night before, that
the clever hiding-place of our treas
ure and papers was no longer sec
ret"
.'I remember that he himself re-
veaIed the secret to the emperor I
remarked. dryly.
And acted wisely in doing so, I
have no doubt" retOrted Bastro, who
still stood beside US. But come, gen
tlemen. breakfast must be ready, and
have a vigorous appetite. Be good
enough to join me.
He led the way to an inner room.
and de Pintra and followed, his arm
in mine.
It seemed to me. now that I re-
garded him more attentively, that my
old friend was less erect than form
erly, and that there were new and
deep burrows upon his gentle face, and
that his eyes had grown dim and
sunken. But that the old dauntless
spirit remained never doubted.
AS we entered the breakfast-room I
saw form standing at the WINDOW
the form of a little man clothed neatly
in black He turned to greet US with
pale, expressionless features and
dropping eyelids
1t was Captain Mazanoyitch.
Good morning, Senior Harcliffe,
he said, In his soft voice; and Won
dered how he had recognized me with
out seeming to open his eyes And
what news does our noble Captain
Rastro bring of the Revolution ?" he
continued. with a slight note of inter
est in his voice that betrayed his Gag
erness.
While we breakfasted BastrO related
the events of the morning, and told
how the news he had received Of the
activity of the Uruguasau guards, in
connection with the impossibility Of
learning from Rio what Fonseca had
accomplished. had induced him to dis
band his men.
but can you again assemble them,
if you should wish to?'s inquired Dom
! Easily answered cur host; but he