The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-25

htg 1O bANt Nou Il NilAdAlitA5 NAAAAA ter down there" admitted Labor.
 well. for reasons winch I have already mentioned to you, l am sometimes forced to adopt regrettable alternatives The chief stopped and looked resentfully at the door, where one of his men stood holding a letter,
 The daylight had now grown stronger, Don e. went to the terrace outside the cave-mouth 10 read the communication. An odd sound made Lalor look up. The chief stood in the center of the cave, shaken visbly by some fierce emotion.
 You have been to Malaga? he asked abruptly. ''Who was the chief guest at your hotel?"
 Let me sec" Labor considered "A fellow from South America, calling him self Da Costa. He seemed to have any amount of money"
 That Is the animal who has permit. ted himself to insult me. Da Costa! The chief grinned venomously. You will know him as the Comte de Dieppe. or he loves to call himself royalty amongst us Spaniards. Gen Don Basilio'
 "What?- Carlist general?'
 "Yes. Here Is man who writes ask ing me to become q rebel, who offers me a free pardon as the price of my honor! Corpse of a sculllon! He would overthrow a dynastyl He forgets that be- tween Queen Christina and her enemies lies the sword of Don O.
 You take the side of the Queen Re- gent?' asked Labor in some surprise.
 'T remember the court of Spain as 1t was. I am proud of the court of Spain as 1t is There are not many good women in the world, Senor Labor, you will learn that for yourself some day; let Us defend and admire those whom we know This Is a moment when all true subjects of Queen Christina should loosen their knives in their belts. It Is a mother defending her fatnerless child against the plots of powerful and subtle enemies. Well, I have 70 men at her servicel"
 Were 1t not for my misfortune as regards my lack of ransom, you might have IT," exclaimed Labor, a little car ried away.
 "senor, are you willing to risk your life for the queen of Spain."
 Lalors only reply was his expressive smile.
 "The queen is already on her way to Malaga. where she is to make prog ress through the streets on the 18th. Don Basilos presence means that some infamous plot against her is being pre- pared. You have heard of this man?"
 Hes pretty notorious"
 You may take my word for it. senor, he is even worse than the world be- lieves him to be.
 Tt is at the man himself must strike" The chief paused and laid slim yellow forefnger on Lalor's sleeve. Are you willing, senor. to do a great service to the queen, and thereby to cause me to remit your ransom?"
 "I am willing without the remitting of the ransom, senor.
 "Corpse of scullonr' exclaimed Don o. see our way into this mans pres encev
 "Our way?"
 "Yes, we two alone" The chief bent forward and whispered for some time into Lalors ear, breaking off at inter vals to give way to terrible sibilant paroxysms of laughter.
 As the young man listened, his face lighted up. Here was adventure unde- fed
 Don BasiIios plot Is still in the egg we must crack the shell a little prema- turey," added Don @. aloud in his usual soft tones q foresee that Fate ordains you to hold a hand in a fine game. Should I be forced to kill you later, you will at least have lived to some small pur- pose"
 The bleak evening had fallen and the lights of La Ben Venida at Malaga were twinklng out upon the chilling air, when a hooded carriage drove into the court yard of the hotel. From it Labor de- scended, and, standing upon the marble step before the lofty main door, carefully assisted an elderly man to get out of the vehicle. This latter was a very fragile and thin parsonage, attired in the severe costume of a bishop of the English church. Under his great coat could be seen his apron and puny gaitered legs, but between the white tab at his throat and the curly-brimmed hat a beak of nose and a pair of fierce livid-lidded eyes peered forth to arrest the attention of any onlooker.