Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14

CHAPTER XXXV.
The Moon in the Wilderness

out An American young man was helping
them down. The gray car was not Lecomte.
The owner, his chauffeur and the three women were
of types entirely different from those sought.
The discovery coming after such exataton OF hope,
was like a blow over the heart
Hard luck exclaimed Dick :" But Carmona's
car must be somewhere
If it ever started said Il begin to think
now that Carmona rallied his brigands, and
out meet them, knowing Id surely follow II |
believed he had gone that way.
oh come! There is hope still" Dick consoled
And turning to the owner OF the car he asked
if he had another gray automobile. He had
not and further questioning he went on to tell
that he had started from Seville meaning to stop
at Cadiz and here tomorrow; but the hotel
had been full so he had rushed to AlgeCras. These
details proved that his was the motor we had been
chasing from the first; and the excellent Spanish
which the Californian spoke to the porters accounted
for misleading bit of information.
While the party of care free tourists went indoors,
Dick and stood in coats of dust to discuss the
situation We soon agreed that there only
thing to do Wire Colonel O'Donne for of
CarmOna S movements and wait where we were tor
answer.
To none save those who count every moment
precious could such delay have been lrksome The
place paradise, the garden corner of Eden,
and the Reina Cristna more like the country house
OF some Spanish millionaire than hotel
Leaving the Gloria, went IN to write telegram;
and in court, charming as the patio of a Moorish
palace we sat to plan out a message. The people
of the hotel confirmed our fears that no answer
could come from Seville till morning; so Dick busted
himself in choosing rooms, while to save time l
took the car by the road to the telegraph Office
in town.
How many miles up and down those flower Dor
lered paths Dick and walked next morning waiting
for news, neither could have told. Eleven O'Clock
had struck when Colonel O'Donnels answer was
brought to me in the garden.
On receipt of wire, interviewed verger, l read.
Made him confess to accepting large sum from
agent of c. to send you wrong track. Making
inquiries, and hope let you know in few hours
whether c. really, gone; if SO, which direction Ad-
wise you stop Algeciras till hear from me again.
Am sending luggage there.
A few hours! l was beginning to know too we'll
what few hours could mean in Spain where, to
population of philosophers it mattered nothing if
thing happened tomorrow the day after
Night had come when the next telegram arrived
"a message which covered two telegraph forms,
Just learned c. left to-day for Granada with
automobile not found out c. believed to be i'll.
Friend at club says c. been heard say knows at
Granada man worth twenty physicians natural
this person. Illness seems mysterious House of c.
we'll known at Granada Inquire at Washington
Irving, where suppose you will stay. Will wire or
write to that address,.
should have been off within the hour but the
quickest way of reaching Granada was by Ronda,
walk or he could ride along bride path through
gorges unsurpassed for grandeur; but 1t was an
expedition of two days, whereas if we could curb
our Impotence until early morning, We should reach
Ronda by train in about four hours.
Not being quite mad, we waited rose at five, and
before seven were steamng out of Algeciras, while
the great CLOUD cataract OF the LeVanter ChurneQ
and boiled over Gibraltar. On a truck travelling by
the same train, my brave Gloria, the
for yesterdays wild fight and ready for another
when she could take the road beyond Ronda. had
not ceased yet to wonder at the expedition with
which she had been shipped, Dick discovered
however, that the manager of the line was Scots
man, kind of fairy godfather for all the region
round which explained the mystery
Just as we arrived at the end of the journey
thought in my brain seemed to snap like the trigger
OF carbine. In my haste to get off by the first
morning train, had forgotten to try to find
petrol at Ageciras although had not enough left