The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-12-01
CHAPTER xx.-(Continued.)

che Colonel: the question was now 10
outwit him. l unfolded my plan to the
Sisnorina, not at all Disgusting from her
the difficulties, and even dangers, attend
ant upon it. Whatever may have been
her mind before and after, she was at
this moment either SO overcome with her
fear of the Colonel, or so carried away
BY her feeling for me- that she made moth
ing of difficulties and laughed at dangers,
pointing out that though failure would
be ignominious, it could not substantially
aggravate our present position.
"Are you going to take any of the
money away with you?" she asked.
mo" said l. II don't think so. 1t
would considerably increase the risk if
were seen hanging about the bank; you
know he's got spies all over the place.
Besides, what good would it do! l
couldn't stick to it, and I'm not inclined
to run any more risks merely to save the
banks pocket. The bank hasn't treated
one so we'll as all that. propose to rely
on your bounty till I've time. to turn
round. Now, shall I come for you?
asked her when we had arranged the other
details.
Il think not" she said. II believe the
Colonel has one of my servants in his
pay. I can slip out By myself, but l
couldn't manage so we'll if you were with
me. The sight of you would excite Gu
riosity. 1 will meet you at the bottom of
Liberty street."
AT two o'clock in the morning exactly,
please. Don't come through the Piazza
and Liberty street. Come round by the
drive" (This was a sort of boulevard
encircling the town, where the aristocracy
was wont to ride and drive.) Things
ought to be pretty bus yabout the bank
by then, and no one will notice you. You
have a reyolver"
Eyes"
Gall right Don't hurt anyone if you
can help it; but if you do, don't leave
him to linger in agony. Now I'm OF" l
continued. II suppose I'd better not come
and see you again?'
I'm afraid you mustn't, Jack. You've
been here two hours already"
Il shall be in my rooms in the after
noon. If anything goes wrong, send your
carriage down the street and have it
stopped at the grocer's. l shall take that
for a sign"
The Signorina agreed, and we parted
tenderly. My last words were:
you'll send that message to Whiting
ham at once?"
'This moment" she said, as she waved
me q kiss from the door of the room.
CHAPTER XXI.
was evidently in for another day as
unpleasantly exciting as the one l had
spent before the revolution, and reflect
ed sadly that if man once goes in for
things Of that kind, it's none so easy to
pull up. Luckily, however, l had several
things to occupy me, and was not left to
fret the day away in idleness. First
turned my steps to the harbor. As
went I examined my pockets and found
sum total of nine hundred and nifty dol
lars. This was my all, for OF late had
deemed it wise to carry my fortune on
my person. Well, this was enough for
the present the future must take care OF
itself. So thought to myself as l went
along with light heart, my triumph in
love easily outweighing all the troubles
and dangers that beset me. Only land me
%afe out of Aureataland with the Sig
norma by my side, and asked nothing
more of fortune! Let the dead bury their
dead, and the bank look after it&dollars
Thus musing, came to the house
where my launch lay. She tidy
little boat, and had the adva6ege dlabe-
Ing workable by one-man titnout my
d;ficulty. All ha1 arrange was bow
to embark on eeived. I sum
moned the boa{ 8 large and o6es
toned him clos aAsuts probable state
Of the wealth. HI co11dently assured
me it would Ind hit dsSk
Every well laid Il s6all go fishing;
start overni and have 4 shy at them
The man was rather astpnished at my
unwonted energy, but of course made. no
objection.
"what time do you start, sir?" he
asked.
II want her ready by two" said I.
leave her at the end of your jetty, ready
for me. She'll be all safe there, won't
she?"
"Oh, yes, sir. Nobody'll be about, ex-
cept the sentries, and they won't touch
her."
1 privately hoped that not even the SEN
tries would be about, but I didn't say so.
"Of course, sir, I shall lock the gate.
You've got your key"
"Yes, all right, and here you are-and
much obliged for your trouble"
Highly astonished and grateful at re-
ceiving large tip for no obvious reason
{rather a mistake on my part), the man
was profuse in promising to make every
arrangement for my comfort. Even when
asked for a few cushions, he dissem-
bled his scorn and agreed to put them in.
"And mind you don't sit up" I said as
I left him.
"I'm not likely to sit up if I'm not
obliged" he answered. Hope you'll have
good sport. sir"
From the harbor 1 made my way
straight to the Golden House. The Colo
nei was rather surprised to see me again
90 soon, but when 1 told him l came on
business, he put his occupations on one
side and listened to me.
l began with some anxiety, for il he
sus- ected my good faith all would be lost.
However, I was always a good hand at a
lie, and the Colonel was not the Presi-
dent.
I've come about that money question"
/ said
well, have you come to vour aenses -