The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-29

You told me he was a gentleman, . went on the chief aecusingly. "I believe he is considered to be one His reply" said Don a. with a sibilant infection in his voice that his companion had never noticed before. would lead me to directly contrary conclusion He has offeneded you
 Deeply. l may say. mortany. Listen! 1 He declines my invitation and adds that he has heard they take excellent photo graphs in the prisons of Spain" The malignant fury of the words. Sir , Graham has since declared. almost cowed him. He answered something he does not know what.
 .Is it possible said Don O., at last in q more even tone. that he has never heard of me before coming to Spain--or has some garbled account of my career reached him from persons in power?" The Englishman agreed that something of the kind was likely.
 Tt is his misfortune" said Don e.
 That he cannot paint your portrait?" Not at all That he did not take my offer to paint it on his own terms, amended the chief
 What do you mean?'
 That he must now do so on mine"
 But he Is m Malaga--how can you2"
 My friend, there are no 'buts' in such career as mine,' Don Q. assured him. On a glorious morning Monsieur and Madame Blufort started to spend the day near the ruined tower of Canada Mon seur intended to make some sketches, and Madame had ordered a couple of his fav orite dishes for the dejeuner they carried with them. Monsieur had forgotten his grievance against the sequestrador, and was feeding in the solemn silence of an habitually ill-tempered man.
 All of a sudden he was aware Of a handsome fellow in a costume. the pie turesqueness of which almost hid it's rags. who was repeating some fierce sentence in the rough dialect of the hills.
 The artist raised his face from the plate to reply. when he perceived q couple of the same type behind madame. His next sensation was of two huge, hairy hands under his elbows lifting him to his feet. He turned resentfully. but the unshaven black -muzzled face that snarled back at him drove the words from his lips. The first speaker. who, in fact was no other than Robledo, spoke aagin more slowly.
 My lord places himself at the feet of the senor, and desires his presence in the sierra"
 Who is your lord?" demganded Blufort arrogantly.
 He is known as Don Q. Surely the senor has heard of him? He has sent mule for the SenOr to ride.
 T have written to your master that I cannot come,' replied Blufort wriggling in Gaspar's big hands. And you can go and tell him I will not comet"
 Robledo uttered some rapid words to his comrades "Our lord said we were to be gentle unless he refused We have been very gentle" he said regretfully, "and he has refused Therefore, Gaspar, give him your knee in the small of his fat back while I entangle his legs. So"
 Before the prolonged syllable ceased Blufort was bound and being carried away. Madame had just regained her breath and was preparing to scream when the handsome robber approached her
 "Senora," he said. doffng his hat. my lord bade me tell you that if you raise an alarm in Malaga and set your consul and the guardias ciViles to look for the senor you will never again behold him. But If you wait bravely and patiently he may. perhaps. be returned to you in due time, he turned away but a thought seemed to strike him. 'Senora,' he added. com ing back. @be assured that. as my lord says so it shall be- Therefore take heed"
 The wonderful day was waning by the time Blufort and his captors traversed the lower ravines of the sierra.
 Every now and then he would break into speech; he warned his captors that his government would make them and their master pay dearly for his detention, aye and more, for angry world would arise to wipe such insects out of existence These and many other threats he held over them. Later on he offered bribes and pardon to the six trudging figures. he im- pored them to think of his wfe's agony he was ready to make any promise If they