The San Francisco call., 1906-05-27


stance. TO buster. They bossted of their
nationality. they alluded significantly to
their consuls, their navies, and the pa
ternal care Of their respective govern
ments. The man who had just been
personally conducted in TO the presence
OF Don Q. by Gaspar and Robledo was
no exception in that he essayed indignant
protest and threatenings.
He stood opposite to the brigand.
watery-eyed, irritable, his big forehead
white and glistening. his gray tail-coat
drawn back by one twitching hand, his
scanty beard wagging, as from his lips
were poured forth volume of speech, in
which such words as outrage" "un-
paralleled.' ''dastardly," stuck UP
through the main flood Of verbiage like
rocks from torrent
From all of which I gather, senor,"
said Don Q. gently. when his prisoner be-
gan to subside. that you count yourself
TO have met WITH misfortune in our noun
tains2 But assure you. many excellent
men and some persons of renown have
occupied similar position to yours and
said considerably less about it,"
7 tell you protest against the outrage
OF my capture in the most emphatic man
ner' am travelling on business of the
highest consequence, and demand once
again 20 be permitted to continue my
journey TO Malaga without further delay
1t is imperative that 1 should arrive there
quickly"
THAT is an unfortunate circumstance"
do you mean me to understand that
you will not release me? 1 am in your
power for the moment-but for the mo-
ment only. Still, so great is my anxiety
10 proceed, that / offer you twenty-five
pounds TO allow me to pursue my way
It was the first time such an offer had
been made 10 Don Q.
Pardon me. senor but for whom do
you mistake me?" inquired the brigand.
i make no mistakes said the pris-
oner peevishly. You are doubtless one
of those footpads who. here in Spain. as
in Sicily and Corsica. take to the hills
because they have committed some crime
for which the law exacts punishment, and
J tell you that I am British subject"
LAS TO that, no fewer than nineteen of
your compatriots have been here before
you" replied Don Q.
But ] am man of some consequence
to the world"
4 do not doubt it. And now that we
know exactly where we stand, let me
beg you to give me a few particulars
20 be entered presently in my business
Giary. Your name, senor.''
~Shruppin Jspsiey, F. r. S, Ph. D.
And since you must enter me in your de-
.estable diary. pray write me down a
cosmopolitan"
But a moment ago you declared your
self British subject" said the brigand
in surprise.
I am one-when I need nationality.
But by habit and preference count my
self a cosmopolitan. for am scientist.
and as such 1 belong to the world and
the world to me-"
Be it So" Don @. glanced keenly at
Japsley. And the amount of your in
,ome?"
Enough to keep body and soul together
after / have paid the expenses of my
laboratory"
The amount necessary to keep body
and soul together varies so largely with
The individual that must beg you to be
Aore explicit"
I can assure you that at this moment
I have but couple of hundred pounds
n the world.
Then we assess your ransom at five
hundred pounds. very low sum, believe
ne, for one TO whom the world belongs" 3"
Am ! TO understand that all of your
prisoners without any exception pay ran
-Om2"
Alas, there have been exceptions"
And them"
Let US not think of alternatives, which
re invariably deplorable-in the sierra at
.ast We will not pursue this dismal
.biect, for no doubt if you write to your
onsul something more agreeable viii be
.srsnged. Yet in passing 1 may remark
sat owing 10 the observations which you
si-mitted yourself to make at the be-
nning Of our interview, / have been
1liged to double your ransom; otherwise
{. would have stood at two hundred and
Gfty pounds"
Papsley opened his mouth for further
rotestation, but, catching sight of the
xpression upon the face of his captor
desisted and began the important let
r. which Don q. promised should be
fried TO its destination with all reason
lie speed.
rhe two men lived practically tete-a-
e. ate their meals together sal
-lough long hours on the terrace or bs
2 fireside. each sensible Of the antag-
iIstic mental attitude of the other
tpsley's conventional verdict did scani
.stice 10 Don Q.'s character. and of thi:
brigand was well aware. He could
ad between the lines of his companion:
TX He watched him pinning human
tits into classes and types. taking LITTLE
cunt Of their individual variation-tha
calculable factor in the complex system
things The mans lack of elementa
urnanity repelled Don Q. Propinquit,
,rced the growth OF their mutual dis
ze: lack of occupation fostered 1t, unit
he situation became strained TO the ut
aost long before Japsley's captivity couls
easonably be expected 10 terminate il
q le arrival of his ransom
But one outstanding peculiarity abou
-oforfsef lent him an adyentitfOllS in