The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-01

You must forgive my dullness, excel leney. l cannot imagine the reason"
 The ruffian was afraid to do other wisei Naturally, on discovering the Con dessa Identity, he permitted her to re- turn home. He knows my reDutaton Senor Capitani But"-with a frown-"I cannot forgive his treatment of my wife; he terrified her with shocking threats :"
 Del Pino's face altered. twist, 1t might have been of derision or incredu- lily deepened the corners of his mouth. "Of personal ill-treatment2 Surely notl
 Up to this moment Don Higo had kept the message sent down to him by the brigand absolutely secret. But now, car- ried away by the tide of his own words and anxious to convince del Pino, he disclosed it.
 His threat was directed against me I must explain. It is well known that the brute has but one ear. l mentioned the fact openly. He appears to resent thls, and sWore to be revenged on me by deprving me of both of mine.
 ''Horriblel" Del Pino caressed his own ears meditatively. "Horriblel" he mur- mured. ITO be without one ear would be sufficient humiliation; but to lose both, and by the hand of enemy, would be a modification scarcely to be survived"
 "Fortunately, none of us need fear any
 
 brusquely. We have decided to make away with this miserable hill thief He has been too long at large. l myself am about to lead an expedition into the sierra with that object"
 Tt is now hardly necessary" observed del Pino with an accentuation of his gen. tie politeness.
 What, do you propose to replace me, senor?' asked Don Hugo. with heat
 Replace you? No. excellency; that would be impossiblel But, by good luck, I may have forestalled you"
 There was a simultaneous craning for ward of every head An excited quver ran over the assembly.
 T fail to catch your meaning, senor,' said Don Hugo, but half modified.
 Tt is that had the honor to kill Don O. yesterday"
 A profound silence of few seconds followed this announcement.
 You killed Don Q. yesterday" the governor almost shouted.
 "Yes, excellency and I shall be glad to have a receipt for the body" went on del Pino immovably according to the regulations of my corps.'
 The tension of the last couple of weeks was lifted from the spirit of Don Hugo. In the enthusiasm of his relief he flung his arms round the stonily unresponslve del Pino, and embraced him effusively on both checks.
 Accept our congratula tions, senor. Gentlemen, let us drink to the health of this paladin, Capt del Pinol''
 Which was forthwith done with many ''bravas" and hubbub of excited talk Del fPino's glass was filed no one ob- served that he left it untouched. But he professed himself overwhelmed by their appreciation; his success, he begged them to believe, was mere matter of luck. He explained that, wishing to see the region of Don Q. s exploits, he had left the train when approaching the mountains and ridden the remainder of the way Thus he came by chance upon the bri- gand and shot him down. And now I would request his excel lency to come with me to the cell in which the body has been placed, for the purpose of identifying it." he wound up.
 By all means. Let us go without de- lay" Don Hugo could hardly yet credit his good fortune T have never yet seen Don O., but they tell me the vulture is unmistakable,' he added. h
 Absolutely unmistakable," commented del Pino
 Don Hugo led the way from the room.
 You say the body is in a cell, senor? Why put a dead body in cell" he asked rldor.
 The captain of the civil guard smiled slightly.
 From all that is said of Don O., ex- cellency, I thought it well to turn the key even on his corpse" The governor stopped as they passed a stairway leading upward