The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20

"caramba l know it to be true. Has
any other bait tempted you into the Jaws
of a trap? No! But this was successful.
As | followed the pretty Anita here.
realized that If you came at her call,
whatever gods there are had delivered
you into my hands. You must buy our
silenoe-my friends and mine"
And what of the gentleman I have
been so unfortunate as TO wound?" in
quired Don Q.
"Manuelo? Poohl my groom. He is
dead by now; you shot too straight.
Come our terms are simple"
Go tell your secret in the streets of
Malaga; you will be none the richer"
I'VE cannot haggle like a couple of
old women in the market place. Make
up your mind. II you lead us to your
treasure we will give you our word of
honor as gentlemen to preserve your Sc
cret inviolate'
"Senor, pardon me. You would sell
your honor? Is 1t not sou questioned
Don Q. with exceedingly suavity. For
my part. ! cannot afford to buy 1t
''Why?-agalnst your principles" said
Don Diego with angry contempt Senior
Sequestrador, who holds to ransom"
Precisely 1t is against my princ-
pies. Not as a seauestrador, but against
my principles as a man of business. l
cannot Duy tnat uaihaseu drllcle-your
honor"
Don Nicanor burst into oaths the other
man stood deadly still.
Il am about to teach you, brigand.'
he said lcly, the lesson you have
taught many a better man-the fact that
that you are after all no more than
flesh and blood. Strip him. Nicanor."
He stopped and plucked out from
amongst the heap of wood beside the
hearth a bar of iron still inmbedded in
broken window-sash. As he thrust II to
heat in the flames, there was a move
ment of the heavy screen. and Dona
Anita rushed out from her concealment.
You would torture HIM" she
shrieked. you shall not! You shall
not"
Look at the door-ln the doorway"
she screamed.
Both of the men swung round, and.
taking advantage of the instant, Anita
threw herself upon Don O. and began to
saw at the bonds with a delicate-bladed
dagger.
The men pulled her off savagely and
dragged her toward the door in spite
of her frantic resistance. OF all that
the brigand had to endure on that night,
perhaps this moment was the worst,
while he was forced to look on at the
rough handling of this lady
He heard the men say there was an
upper room where they could shut her
in. The noise receded He was alone.
He looked around. Dona Anitas' dag
ger was not to be seen, but his eyes
fell on an iron bar already hot He
rolled toward the fire. pushed the bar
out of the eBnbers with his bound feet,
and held the ropes upon his wrists down
upon 1t until they charred and he could
jerk them loose. Scarcely conscious of the
horrible burns on his hands and wrists he
united the knots about his ankles and
stood up free. unarmed indeed but yet
free. Then he endeavored to stamp out tho
fire. but hearing footsteps he flung an
armful of damp wood upon the glowing
ashes, effectually darkening the hall.
1t was Don Diego who entered. "Hullo,
how dark 1t is. Help, help. Nicanor!" he
shouted.
For Don O. was on him like cat.
kicked his knees from under him and
brought him heavily 10 the ground just
as Nicanor came running into the hall.
"Robledo Gaspar, to me! l have the
other here" called Don Q.
Nicanor was deceived He could see
nothing but the outstretched form of his
friend, and he imagined that the brigand' $
men had come to the rescue of their
chief. He turned to escape. Don O.,
snatching Don. Diego's knife and pistol,
started in pursuit.
Ncanor leaped out across the snow TO
where his horse was tethered Cutting his
friends loose. the flung himself upon his
own with yell and a blow.
Hot after him followed Don q. The
night was now full of a pale luminosity.
for a white trimmed moon had swung up
over world that lay a-cold. Some mo-
ments were lost In reaching his horse in