The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-15
CHAPTER XvII.-(Continued.)

might be expected, q washing stand. This
article was Of the description one often
sees above the level of the stand Itself
there rose a wooden screen to the height
of two feet and a half, covered with pref
ty tiles, the presumable object being te
protect the wall paper. l never saw 9
more innocent looking bit of furniture II
might have stood In a lady's dressing
room. The Signorina went up to 1t and
slid 1t gently on one side; 1t moved In a
groove! Then she pressed a spot in the
wall behind, and a small piece Of 1t rolled
aside, disclosing a keyhole.
Hes taken the key, of COURSE" she
said. ave must break 1t open. Who's
got a hammer
Tools were procured, and, working un.
der the Signorina's directions, after a
good deal of trouble, we laid bare a neat
little safe embedded in the wall. This
safe was legibly inscribed on the outside
Burglars Puzzle" We, however, were
not afraid of making a noise, and It only
puzzled us for ten minutes.
| When opened 1t revealed Golconda
There lay In securities and cash no less
than 100000!
| We smiled at one another.
20 sad revelation" remarked.
| "Hoary old fox !" said the Colonel.
| No wonder the harbor works were un-
remunerative in their early stages. The
President must have kept them at very
early stage.
what are you people up TOT" cried
Carr.
Rank burglary, my dear boy" I re-
piled, and we retreated with our spoil.
"Now," said l to the Colonel, what
are you going to do?"
| why, what do you think, Mr.. Mar
tin" interposed the Signorina. Hes
going to give you your money, and divide
the rest with his sincere friend. Christina
Nugent."
"Well, 1 suppose no." said the Colonel.
"But 1t strikes me you are making a
good thing of this, Martin"
my dear Colonel" said 1, "a bargain
Is bargain, and where would you have
been without my money!"
The Colonel made no reply, but handed
me the money, which / liked much better.
took the $4,000 and said:
Now 1 can face the world. an honest
man"
The Signorina laughed.
81 am glad" she said, chiefly for poor
old Jones' sake. It'll take load off his
mind"
The Colonel proceeded to divide the re-
mainder into two little heaps, one of
which he pushed over to the Signorina.
She took It gaily, saying:
| "Now I shall make curl papers Of half
my bonds, and l shall rely on the-what
do you call it?-the Provisional govern
ment to pay the rest. You remember
about the house?"
an see about that soon," said the
Colonel impatiently. "You two seem to
think there's nothing to do but take the
money. You forget we've got to make
our positions safe"
Exactly. The Colonels government
must be carried on" said I.
The Signorina did not catch the allu-
sion. She yawned, and said:
'Oh, then shall go. Rely on my 10y
atty, your excellency."
She made him a courtesy and went to
the door. As opened 1t for her she
whispered, "Horrid old bear! Come and
see me, Jack" and 30 vanished, carrying
off her dollars.
1 returned and sat down opposite the
Colonel.
"I wonder how she knew about the
washing stand?" l remarked.
because Whittingham was fool enough
to tell her." said the Colonel testify.
Then we settled to business. This un-
ambitious tale does not profess to be a
complete history Of Aureataland, and
will spare my readers the recital Of our
discussion. We decided at last that mat
tiers were still so critical, owing to the
Presidents escape, that the ordinary
forms Of law and constitutional govern
ment must be temporarily suspended. The
chamber was not In session, which made
this course easier. The Colonel was to be
proclaimed President and to assume su-
preme power under martial law Tor some
weeks, while we looked about us. It was
thought better that my name should not
appear officially, but agreed to take In
hand, under his supervision, all matters
relating to finance.
1--WE can't pay the interest on the real
debt" he said.
"No," replied; you must issue mo-
tice, setting forth that, owing to General
Whittingham's Manifestations, payments
must be temporarily suspended. Prom
lse 1t will be all right later on"
Every good" said he; "and now shall
90 and look up those officers. 1 must
keep them in good temper, and the men,
too. shall give 'em another ten thou
sand"
Generous hero! !" said I, "and I shall
go and restore this cash to my employ
ers."
CHAPTER XVIII.
1t was twelve o'clock when I left the
! Golden House and strolled quietly down
to Liberty street. The larger part of the
soldiers had been drawn of, but a couple
Of companies still kept guard In the Pr
azza. The usual occupations OF life were
going on amid a confused stir of excite
ment. and l saw by the interest my ap-
pearance aroused that some part at least
Of my share In the nights doings had
leaked out. The Gazette had published
a special edition. In which 1t hailed the
advent Of freedom, and, while landing Nc