Evening star., 1907-06-30

to them. But what shall we do.
III tell YOU what have been thinking |
said. My car ism t far off. Colonel O Donnel
and Pillar. who would do anything for YOU and
me, are in the cathedral. lust outside this
chapel the man who locked us in is waiting for
my signal to open the door. With the O'Don-
nels and Dick Waring to see YOU through, will
You motor with me to Cadiz, take ship for
Gibraltar, and then marry me on English soil "
Suppose there should be no ship for days."
she hesitated.
There is one nearly every day; but at
worst | can hire boat of some sort"
"Once were in Gibraltar. You would be
out Of reach if the Duke tried to take revenge"
she said. Yes, | will go! Oh, Ramon never
would have promised to marry him, if hadn't
wanted to show YOU that-that didn't care
and that there was some one who wanted me
very much, if You didn't"
How like woman!' exclaimed. laughing
Listen. The Miserere has begun" she
said. :" Has it been long: heard it only now
Can we get out before it's over:'
"Of course we can--though not quite so
easily, perhaps, if the crowd was moving
with US. However, we can't afford to wait
What wonderful mrsic," Monica whis-
pered Il wish l dared to feel that it was
blessing US"
Yes, feel it So" said, and voluntarily was
silent to listen for an instant to the melodious
flood which swept from aisle to aisle in golden
pillows.
| peered out, and saw my man lowering
near In the gloom he did not catch the signal
| gave him with my hand, but when | shook
handkerchief between the gratings he came
quickly As he unlocked the doors, slid the
promised bribe into his palm; and having
glanced about to make sure as far possible
that we were not watched, called Monica.
Take out by the nearest way | said;
and the man began to hurry us officiously
through the crowd
Monica clung to me tightly, and could feel
the trembngs that ran through her body. My
heart was pounding too; for it is when the ship
is nearest home, after a stormy voyage, that
the Captain remembers he has nerves 1t
seemed too marvellous to be true that the girl
was mine at last; and vet what could separate
US. now that held her close against my side,
and she was ready to go with me, out of her
world into mine.
This way, this way, senorito!" our guide
warned me, plucking at my arm as | steered
ahead, confused by thousand moving shad-
ows. | followed involuntarily brushing
sharply against tall man in cowl and trailing
robe Of blue. He turned, his masked face close
to mine, close that even in the dusk
caught flash Of glittering eyes. Then, giving
me a sudden push, he cried out, Help
murder! An anarchists free thinker. To
the rescue!"
1t was Carmona's voice, and knew instantly
that he must have borrowed this dress from
some friend in the cathedral-perhaps a men,
ber Of the brotherhood to which he himself
belonged-so that he could search for me and
Monica, without being seen by us.
Thrusting the girl behind me, yet keeping
her close, hurled him away; but he sprang at
me again, and this time something gttered in
his right hand. | fought with him for it, and
pulled slim length of steel up through his
closed fingers SO that the sharp dagger blade
must have cut him to the bone He gave cry
and relaxed his grasp; but though he was dis
abled for the instant dozen men in the crowd,
which swirled round now, caught and held
me fast. Monica was WrenChed from me; the
dagger had fallen to the ground (but not before
had it was of Toledo make; the figure
in the blue hood swept out of my sight
and | was fighting like madman in strait
jacket for freedom.
To be continued next Sunday