Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-07

once Carnona is at Algeciras, why, you've got
him in a kind of cul-de-sac from which he can't
escape, any more than a mouse can jump out
of basin half full of water. If he takes rooms
at the Reina Crlstlna, you will come plump
upon him. If he tries to return by road, he'll
run into your arms; and one the other must
happen unless he puts his auto a train or
steamer, neither of which is likely"
Somewhat comforted, proposed to follow
at once; but Dick wistfully reminded me that
wearing with it. Soon he would be worn out
unless | gave him something to eat. 1t seemed
years since that cup of coffee and roll of the
early morning.
If we needed nourishment, the car needed
water. Both needs were supplied somewhat
grudgngy, though the physical part of me did
appreciate the GOODNESS of the restaurant, and
the strange dishes for which Cadiz is famous.
Then off we started again, to take a road
which the landlord warned us was none too
good. People who travelled by carriage or
diligence had evil things to say of the fourteen
scenery was fine. This did not sound enliven-
ing; but what good horses could do in fourteen
hours, the Gloria could do in three or four.
We tore back to San Fernando; and soon
came upon the bad surface which had been
prophesied. The Gloria bumped over ruts
and grooves, and scattered stones, and per-
force | had to slacken speed, lest she should
break some blood vessel. Nevertheless, we
did not waste time, and finally a man we
met had seen a large automobile not more
than an hour ago. Evidently then we were
gaining on the quarry. The news gave me
courage.
At the old Moorish town of Vejer de la
Frontera we had travelled full thirty miles from
Cadiz. Childish voices screaming round the
car cried that another automobile was not far
ahead; and, like a racehorse nearing the finish,
we put on speed. AS the Gloria sprang on, a
fierce wind which had been lying in wait leaped
at the and sent her staggering Gust after
gust darted from ambush, half binding our
ungoggled eyes with the sand they flung by
handfuls into our faces But we damned on
Our hats; and the Gloria bore the onslaughts
bravey, her voice drowned in the screaming
of the wind, which might have been the war
cries of those Moorish armies whose battle
ground this land had been for seven centuries.
Not a soul did we meet, once we turned our
backs upon Tarifa.
Finally far below us the white houses of
Algeciras lay scattered like broken necklace
of white beads; and from across the water
that dark lion, Gibraltar, crouched as if waiting
to spring.
Whether Dick or saw it first l cam tell, but
We exclaimed together, There's the other
CARL And there it was, moving speck upon
the road in a white cloud of dust.
i. After it we went with bound of increased
speed. No need now to stop to ask the way
to the hotel; all we had to do was to follow
and catch up with the Lecomte at the steps of
the hotel Reina Cristina. A wild idea flashed
into my head that | would snatch Monica as
she alighted from Carmonas car, fling her to
Dick in mine, jump in after her myself, and be
off before the others had time to recover from
their surprise.
The more thought of this, the more feasible
did it seem. No slowing up for sharp turnings
now! was thrilling with hope and excitement
as dashed after the disappearing, dust
covered automobile into a wide open gateway.
The scent of helotrope and rose geranum, hot
under the April sun, intoxicated me as we
swept along the white avenue, and came in
sight of the other car just drawing up before
an arcaded loggia.
To be continued next Sunday