The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-23
Fair Margaret CaSteA
BY n. RIDER HAUuARp.
Copyright. 1901. BY ~. Rider Hd0pard.
Continued.

Uultb bdtcly. lu6l u NOOI tiu oAIO tON
away their mules TO the stable and they
accompanied the landlord into the sitting
room. a long, low apartment furnished
with tables and benches. on which sat
several rough looking fellows drinking
wine.
Here the host suddenly demanded pay
ment in advance, saying that he did not
trust strangers. Peter would have argued
with him, but Castell, thinking it best TO
comply, unbuttoned his garments TO get
at his money, for he had no loose coin in
his pocket. having paid away the last at
Motril.
His right hand being still helpless this
he did with his left. and 80 awkwardly
that the small doubloon he took hold of
slipped from his fingers and fell to the
floor. Forgetting that he had not again
fastened up his belt he bent down to pick
1t up, wherein a number Of gold pieces
Of various sorts. perhaps twenty Of them,
fell out and rolled hither and thither on
the ground.
Peter, watching, saw the landlord and
the other men in the room exchange a
quick and significant glance. They rose.
however, and assisted TO find the money,
which the host returned to Castell. remark
ing with an unpleasant smile that IL he
had known that his guests were 30 rich
he would have charged them more for their
accommodation.
of your good heart / pray you not"
answered Castell. for that is all our worldly
goods and even as he spoke another gold
piece, this time a large doubloon which
had remained in his clothing. slipped to
the floor.
sof course, Senior" the host replied as
he picked this up also and handed 1t back
politely. "but shake yourself, there may
still be a coin or two in your doublet.'
Castell did so, whereon the gold in his
belt, looeened by what had fallen out,
ratified audibly, and the audience smiled
again. while the host congratulated him
on the fact that he was in an honest house,
and not wandering on the mountains, which
were the home Of so many bad men.
Having pocketed his money with the
best grace he could, Castell and Peter sat
down at a table a little apart, and asked
II they could have some supper. The host
assented, and called to the Moorish servant
TO bring food. then sat down also, and be-
gan to put questions to them, Of a sort
which showed that their guide had already
told all their story.
"How did you learn OF our shipwreck?'
asked Castell by way Of answer.
How? Why. from the people OF the
Marquis, who stopped here to drink a cup
OF wine when he passed to Granada yes.
terday with his company and two sehoras.
He said that the San Antonio had sunk.
but told us nothing Of your being left aboard
her"
Then forgive US. friend, IL we. whose
business is Of no interest TO you. copy his
discretion. as we are weary and would
rest"
Certainly. Seniors, certainly replied
the man. Il go to hasten YOU supper and
to fetch you a flask of the wine Of Granada
worthy of your degree" and he left them.
A while later their food came-good
meat enougl Of it's sort-and with it the
wine in an earthenware jug. which, as he
filed their horn mugs, the host said he
had poured out OF the flask himself that
the crust OF it might not slip.
Castell thanked him. and asked him
to drink a cup to their good journey; but
he declined. answering that it was a fast
day with him. on which he was sworn to
touch only water, Now Peter, who had
said nothing all this time, but noted much,
Just touched tie wine with his lips. and
smacked them as though in appreciation
while he whispered to Castell:
Drink it not: it is ~drugged!"
what says your SOM" asked the host.
He says that It is delicious. but sud
denly he has remembered what | too for
got. that the ,ctor at Motril forbade us
to touch wine for fear lest we should worsen
the hurts that we had in the shipwreck.
n, 40 -. . -. $500 C.-- IA - 1900
friends, We must e content with thinner
stuff
And taking up a jug Of water that stood
upon the table, he filed an empty cup with
1t and drank. then passed it to Peter, while
the host looked at them sourly.
Then, as though by an afterthought,
Castell rose and politely presented the
Jug Of wine and the two hlled mugs to
the men who were sitting at a table close
by, saying that il was a pity that they
should not have the benefit of such fine
LIQUOR. One Of these fellows. as it CHANGED,
was their own guide. who had come from
tending the mules. They took the mugs
readily enough and two OF them tossed of
their contents, whereon. with a smothered
oath. the landlord snatched away the jug
and vanished with il.
Castell and Peter went on win tnelr
meal. for they saw heir ~neighbors eating
OF the ga me dish, as did the landlord also,
who had returned, and it seemed TO Peter,
was watching the two men who had drunk
the wine with an anxious eye.
Presently one OF these rose from the
table and going TO a bench on the other
side Of the room flung himself down uron
IL and became quite silent, while their
one eyed guide stretched out his arms and
fell face forward 50 that his head rested
on an empty plate. where he remained APP
e~,,~ntiy insensible. The host sorang mp
80 stood irresolute. and Castell. rising,
said that evidently the poor lad was sleepy
after his long ride. and as they were the
same would he be 50 good as to show them
20 their room?
He assented readily. indeed it was clear
that he wished TO be rio OF them, for the
other men were staring at the guide and
their companion and muttering among
themselves.
This way, Seniors" nc said. and he led