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

"I still fail to see the point Of the joke" he remarked.
 'All my possessions are before you. The clothes l stand up in, e5 in English money and half a poeketful of the coin of the country, of which the delicacy of your followers permitted them to relieve me- replied Labor unable for the life of him to avoid initiating the chiefs elab- crate manner of speech.
 The brgand waved his emaciated yellow hand airlly.
 Your relations-they must cherish you! I can well understand it! Then there is your government, rich as a dream, and pitiful. l have heard of a public sub- seription-for q popular author thousands could be raised. Is 1t not so?'
 "I dare say 1t is Laiors lips took an ironical curve. But you sec unluckily l am not a popular author, only an un- known one-yet. Ingham, the consul, warned me before I started. They have had some experience of ransoms before. Anyhow, Ingham told me plainly they were tired of paying them, and that I must take my chance. As for relations, I haven't one in the world who would give sixpence for me! And now you know how we stand"
 But this is terribly sad," exclaimed Don e. softly. "I hope you have mis- judged your relations and friends?' But Lalor shook his head. "lt is, alas nearly always so. ] rarely take fancy to one of our captives. but whenever I do so, it almost inevitable turns out to be one who fails with his ransom. I assure you, senor. this fact forms one of the se- verest trials of my lot
 Don Q2s face, peaked and sunken like that of the bird he resembled, was in- aIf 1,r de fe
 q will do all I can for you, Senor Lalor" he said, after a short pause. T will name but little ransom, only 5000 I trust this can be raised-for your sake '
 Garth shook his head. You won't get 1t. I'm not worth anything to anybody except myself. What are you going to do with me?'
 "Alternatlves are usually deplorable, but we will wait for fifteen days until you have an answer from your consult said the chief
 But the alternatiye?"
 Don O. Sighed. Alas, senor. you are so young to die.'
 Labor was conscious of feeling very young, and very human. The strong life in his veins chilled for the moment, but when he spoke his voice was as casual as before.
 What good will my death be to you?"
 My dear senor'-there was regret in the soft sibilant tones that made the lad shudder involuntarly-'1 is business. I have a. terrible reputation to maintain. You must be aware of the enormous value of such a reputation to one of my profession.9
 q see your point of view" Labor said iudicially; then he laughed again.
 Don Q. regarded him with increasing interest. This young man was certainly of a new type Labor read the question in his eyes.
 Do you know" he said, "before I heard the alternative you have so delicatey alluded to, I was congratulating myself on having fallen into your hands?"
 He smiled a quaint smile. It's trife hard after spending a couple of years in collecting rejection forms that the first really good thing to come in my way should turn out so crookedly."
 You travelled to get local color?" in- quired Don o.
 Well. you see''-Lalor looked oddly shy-Tm not old If a fellow hasn't age he has to get experience Don't you think so?"
 The chief felt his heart quite warm to this ingenious Britisher.
 q know an author" he began, "who for years has seldom left his own hearthstone, yet his transcripuons of hu- manity are so original, so vitally true, that the world will be shaken with a new knowledge of itself when he publishes htem. He has had opportunities of see ing the soul of man naked"
 Lolor pushed back his chair involuntar- fly. His imagination had divined the truth.
 "It is yourself" he cried, while the thought flashed through him-what sights had not those livid lidded eyes looked upon?
 You are right. I have occupied my odd moments in compiling an autobiog raphy It will not be a dull book, and will tend to set me right in the eyes of those who malign me in the plains"