The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-13

| was not in the sierra. And l still am
 here tonight. During that period. so men say in the plains 1 have amassed much treasure, and some have lost their lives in seeking for it. Is not this so?'
 Robledo inclined his head.
 Tt is, in fact, true that I have held
 many great and notable persons to ran
 som, as well as those of the lesser rank.
 Men of wealth have gladly paid me half
 their fortunes for the privilege of bidding
 me goodby. To regain men of genius, the world has pulled wide its purse strings Some few captiyes have indeed remained forever in the sierra Now although 1 have never allowed myself to be influenced by sordd consider
 ations, went on Don Q. in his sbilant voice. T have in truth without effort, col lected riches that might perhaps vie with
 those of the count of Monte Cristo, with whose fame, fear, you, Robledo, are un- acquainted. Much of this wealth lies buried in the mountains
 q have at various times secreted it
 in three hidng-places, to which I have given the names of Padre, Madre and
 Nino You follow me? Good The treas
 ure Padre is infinitely greater than the one named Madre and Madre in turn ex- ceeds a hundred times the baby, the treas- ure Nino. Here is a paper upon this table. It contains plan, by which any seeker , can find the spot where Nino lies buried. Further, whoever finds Nino will find also 6 second plan leading them to Madre, and
 he who has the courage to seek Madre
 will discover a third plan leading to
 Padre l had these plans made for my heirs, but l have now changed my mind" He rose, and walking to the table, took up an envelope.
 Here is the plan to Nino. This doeu- ment, my child. l am about to give into your charge. You will carry 1t down into the city, and loding with, 1t may be, the uncle of sabelilla'-Robledo looked sharp ly up-'you will, with much discretion and care, sell this plan to ono Iapoulo, usurer whose dwelling is within a stones throw of the bull ring. To this man you will represent yourself as a traitor to and a hater of me- You will not let this plan go under a good sum, Robledo-20,000 peso
 tas is the lowest price to be accepted and Iapoulo can pay you when he returns to the city after finding the treasure"
 The young man waited, for it was evil dent that Don e. had more to say.
 Yes Nino is worth Tar more than 20, 0OO pesetas, but that Is 10 be your price, My child, would you betray me for DO00 pesetas?'
 Robledo lifted his face reddenng under the tan
 My lord knows" he answered with passion.
 Don Q. looked at him curiously. "I almost believe l can trust you, Robledo," he said and, indeed, never had
 he in all his career permitted himself to speak thus to one of his band. But you [ must refrain from becoming sentimental, Robledo," he added. "I fear if your be- come sentimental I should be obliged to rid myself of you"
 Having lodged himself as Don O.. had foretold, he very soon managed to open
 up negotiations with the money lender Iapoulo
 It is sufficient to say that bargain
 was soon struck, especially as the pay ment. though large, was not to change hands until the treasure had actually
 been found and brought into Malaga. So 1t happened that Iapoulo did buy Ro-
 bledo's secret; did, with infinite precau- tions, steal up into the bush-grown rav- inc not far above the foothills, and bear away the treasure named Nino. 1 Instead, however, of proving his grati- | tude to Robledo, no sooner had lapoulo i re-entered Malaga, after his successful | robbery than, recalling the fact that 1 he owed the ex-brigand 20,000 pesetas, the
 usuer at once put the police on his track
 It may be that Iapoulos countenance had not inspired Robedo with confidence, or 1 perhaps he received due warning through
 a friend, but, at any rate when the po- 1 lice raided his poor quarters the man l had vanished.
 1 He passed up into the mountains glad
 again to feel the free winds upon his l cheek, and coming to the Boco de Lobo