The Washington times., 1906-05-13

ed and entered posada known as the
Hotel de los Estranjeros." a drearya
hostelry greatly ia disuse both by
strangers and friends.
AT that moment there came along
one Esteban. a barber. an enemy TO
existing government. a 5ovial plotter
against stagnation in any form He
greeted Mackenzie with hatulent inn
portance. q
What think you. Don Frank. 4.
have tonight shaved Ia barba-what#
YOU call the 'weeskers' of FL Senor
Presidente himself. Consider! He sent
for me TO come. IN a pobre casa hez
awaited verree leetle house. think
Inc desired not 10 be known. but
cara jo,-can you shave a man and not
see his face This gold piece he gave
me. and said q was 70 be all quite
stiU ! think. Don Frank, there "a
what YOU cali one chip over the bug.
In few words Mackenzie explained
the state OF affairs 70 Esteban. Know-F
ing the man 70 be partisan LIBERAL
he made him watch the house 70 see
that no one left il. while he himself
entered IL at once.
He was an acquaintance OF the ma
dana who conducted the posada- lie
l0lnu ntA ~ % Al nfAAtehAA H-NAA -ANNa~
curiosity.
"Ah, II is the Senor Mackenzie. Not
often does he honor this unworthy
house Que? bright cyes-at my aset
Vava, Senor Mackenzie. Guests in the
house? Why not2 Two but just I'm
ished 10 arrive-a scnor. not quite old.
and sonora Of sufficient handsome
ness To their rooms they have as
the to-est Two rooms-uumero nueve
and numero diez. The Senior Macken-
zie desires to speak with them? Como
no? il is we'll"
Mackenzie saw that the trigger Of his
American .03s was free from pocket
lining. and assembled the dark stairway
A saffron light from a hanging lamp
in the hallway above allowed him 10
select the gaudy numbers on the doors.
He turned the knob OF number nine
entered. and closed the door behind
him.
II that was Julia Gordon seated by
the table IN the poorly furnished room,
report had done her charms no injus+
tice She rested her head upon one
hand Extreme fatigue was signihed
IN everv line OK her figure. and upon
written. Her eyes were gray irised, and
OF that mold that seems 20 have be-
lonEed to all the famous queens OF
hearts. Their whites were singularly
clear and brilliant. concealed above the
irises by horizontal lids. and showing
snowy lire below them. Such eyes
denote great nobility, passion. and. II
You can conceive Il. a most selfish gen
erosity. She looked I'D, when the Amer
ican entered in surprised inquiry. but
without fear.
Mackenzie took of his hat and seat
ed himself coolly on the edge OF the
table by which she sat He held a
lighted cigar between his fingers. He
took this course upon the theory that
perliminaries would be squandered up
on the Senorita Gordon.
Good he said Vow. mad
am. let as come 10 business at once.
! know who is in the next room. and
what he carries in that valise- 7 am
here 20 dictate terms OF surrender"
The lady neither replied nor moved.
but steadily regarded the cigar in Mac
kenzie's hand.
I'VE" continued the dictator-..I
speak FOR a considerable mass Of the
people-demand the return OF stolen
funds belonging TO them. our terms 20
very little farther than that. They are
very simple. As an accredited spokes-
man. ] promise that our interference
viii cease with their acceptance. Il is
on my personal responsibility that I
add congratulations To the gentleman
I'm number ten upon his taste ia fem-
iuine charms
Returning his cigar 10 his mouth.
Mackenzie observed her. and saw that
her eyes followed and rested upon il
with icy and significant concentration.
Apparently. she had not heard word
he had said. He understood. tossed
the cigar out the window. and. with
sn amused laugh. slid from the table
to his feet. The lady smiled.
THAT is better" she said. clipping
her words off neatly. For a second
lesson in good manners. YOU may now
tell me by whom I am being inSulted 90
- m rather sorry there's not enough
time for more lessons said MaCken-
zie. reEretfully- Come. now; I appeal
To your good sense You have shown
yourself, in more than one instance. to
be quite aware Of what is 70 your adj
vantage. There is no mystery here 1
am Frank Mackenzie. and have come
for the money. I entered this room at
n venture. Had I entered the other 1
would have had II by now The gem
tlemGn in number ten has betrayed
a great trust lie has robbed his peo-
pie Of A large sum which I am in time
To prevent their losing. / do not say
vino that gentleman is. but il I should
be forced to see him. and ne SHOULD
prove TO be a certain official of the
republic. il would be my duty 10 ar
rest him. The house is guarded. I
am offering you liberal terms Bring
me the valise containing the money,
and we will call the affair ended.
The lady rose from her chair and
stood for moment. thinking deeply.
"Do YOU live here. Mr. Mackenzie p
she asked, presently.
YES"
And your authority for this in
trusion?"
Il am an instrument OF the republic.
I was advised by wire concerning the
movements of the-gentleman in num-
ber ten
5 II have question or two to ask you
I think you are m9h more apt to ue
truthful than-timid What sort of