The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-05-13

enough, out 1apOulO was not used to
caves, and the lurking shadows on all
sides, the low frOwning roof. and the
mysterious drip. drip of water. now on
one side, now on the other shook his
quivering nerves. The lantern he had
brought seemed only to add to the
terrors of the place.
Let us to work. Where is the ma o ?
Hold the lantern steady. foolr' The
usurer studied the plan for a moment,
then, hurrying across the dusty floor,
plunged his hand into q crevice In the
corner and drew out a rusty nail
This is the sign Come, yet us dig"
Big, crooked Simio whired UP a
pickaXe, and between his blows Ia
polo struck excitedly at the rocky
earth with a spade; but progress was
slow The night deepened ito the
small hours: still they labored until
the pickaxe pioneering its way down
ward, struck and stuck I'm the wood.
few more cautious efforts and a
long and dirty box was disclosed. Ia
pOulO. too impatient TO wait for It to
be raised, babe Simio wrench off the
lid.
1t was done. whitened skeleton
lay stretched out within. The empty
jaws grinned up at the two men as
they stood stiff with the shock gaping
down upon it! Then across the Ian
terms light a shadow leaped to Iapou-
los feet and a touch fell on his
shoulder.
With a yell he wrenched his head
round to see he knew not what. The
color had drained from his damp face,
his eyes shone white like those of a
vicious horse, his upper lip was drawn
back i'm grin of fear. He stood i'm
movable, his clutching hands still out
spread. while the drops gathered and
fell from his bald forehead, as he
stared back at a clOaked figure bear
ing a singular likeness to the broOding
carriOn birds which he had seen on his
journey into the mountains.
May l inquire upon what you busy
yourselves, senor2 asked Don O.
suave, sibilant voice at last.
In the long pause Iapoulo collected
his wits a little.
This man." he indicated Simio.
''implored me to come and dig out
some treasure which long ago he said
he had buried here"
'Pan!" Don -. spat out with dis
gust. DO I not know you. Senior Ia
polo? You bought my secret and
would now steal my treasure. Did 1
not see you in the little wine shop of
Malaga where the girls danced, while
you whispered in the corner with a
man whose brows were bound about
with a handkerchief of yellow? Corpse
of a sculliont My ears are keen. 1
can hear the eggs break when the
quebranta-hucsos matches its young
the men behind MIN. Pull this man
OUT Of the hole and set him before
me"'
Iapoulo's bullying temper mounted.
L have been trappeJ"' he snarled.
This villain has betrayed me-
NO. master, no. wept Simio
urgently.
Peace" Don @. raised his hand
You have in truth been betrayed,
Iapoulo, but by your own greed. Only
the passion to possess could have
drawn you here beneath my shadow.
became brave enough to try and rob
again. I Will leave you to think over
your crimes. Goodnight"
Iapoulo would have rushed for
ward. but Gaspar's big hands held
him. Am 1 to be imprisoned in a
bOle?" he shrieked-
Don Q. turned back. by no
means" he returned politely. You
have come UP of your own free will
into the sierra, and although 1 cannot
offer you my own hospitality, 1 can
recommend you this posada" He
Juan, bring here your bill of fare.
This, senior, is the patron"
The fact that mis- helpless young
CT editor should hold a place in this
nightmare adventure seemed to
Iapoulo scarcely surprising at the mo-
out by the lad. and spoke again to
Don O.:
You VIII set me free. I have done
you no harm. I have been betrayed, I
tell your The brigand stopped on his
way to the entrance and turned slow
~ about. sin
THE meals in this inn are served
but once day." he said cordly. "If
you will not choose now, you cannot
eat for twenty-four hours"
'Oh, master, master, and I am hun
cry" walled Simio.
The usurer took the bill of fare I'M
graciOusly, but as his glance fell upon
its items he gave a cry.
Explain, Juan" commanded Don O.
This is my posada,' said the young
man Sullenly. Those are my prices
If the senior would eat, he must pay
my price"
"One nights lodging, 1000 pesetas
each guest; fire, 1000; black bread,
1000; sausages, each, 5000 pesetas.
IapoulO read aloud. Il shall not paw.
I am here against my will. Legally
will the law feed you and warm
you and give you to drink?' asked
Don Q. Moreover, there is no law here
merely equity
But you dare not starve me"'
why not? You can buy and eat il
you will"
But I have no money" retorted
Iapoulo desperately.
Then you must send for some"
Iapoulo groaned.
Your orders, Senior" said Juan
"One small loaf. half a sausage and
some water" demanded Iapoulo.
And for this gentleman"
For Sinio? Nothingr'
40, master, would you starve me?"
If you cannot pay, you must
starve," said Tapoulo.
Simio howled aloud. 7 his fate far
exceeded his worst fears.
"SenOr," interposed Don O., you
have yourself appealed to the law. By
the law therefore you must hold. A
master is bound to provide food for his
servant under circumstances such as
these. for you persuaded him to FOLLOW