The Jasper news., 1907-01-03

perfectly, captain
Perfectly, sir "
1T is matter of grave Importance"
1T shall be accomplished"
you are very certain. l may re-
mind you, captain, that there have
been occasions when-well, when in
structions have not been carried out
quite successfully"
drew myself up to my full six feet
of height.
General" said, these others were
bunglers."
Il know you are brave, but" He
paused, shutting some papers uneas-
lily. Remember, carry this safely to
Beresford, and we have Monsieur
DEauban and his cavalry in a nut
cracker
1T is already done. sir"
You will take Barestro with you as
guide"
las you will. general, but have lit
tie faith in him"
The general looked up sharply.
e "Why?" he asked.
IN truth, sir, I lost a matter Of
seven sovereigns to him at ecarte. and
am a master of ecarte. Ergo, he
cheats; ergo, he may not be trusted
"Pshaw!" said the general, testify.
You take Barestro with you as
guide"
saluted md clattered through the
door.
Within an hour ! rode out at the
head of my half-troop. The day was
fair; a royal sun, broad, blue sky,
and a soft breeze to temper the heat.
With me rode Barestro lank, lean,
ungainly man, cowardly fellow with
face like parchment stretched over
Death s-head. l carried a rough
map on which were marked the posi-
tons of the French troops as far as
we had located them and 1t was this
map l had to carry to Beresford.
We rode forward all that day, max
ing a considerable detour to avoid
falling in with the French. 1t was
difficult ground. hilly and rough, and
as night approached and found us in
wilder country than ever, my doubts
of the rascal guide grew.
'Barestro you will ride by my side
on the left" said grimly. 1T is bet
ter So
The rogue turned pale at the CLEAN
of my pistol barrel If ever l saw
guilt, it was in that rascals parch.
ment face and his narrow, furtive eyes.
Indeed, ] am guiding you Alright
he protested. in moment we turn
to the right, and there below us you
shall see the village of Talmiera.
And Gen. Beresfords army is but
half days march further on
| grunted, and presently below us
we saw the village, only matter OF
ten minutes ride.
There was an inn standing In the
street, and in front of this | halted
my men. In answer to my shout, the
host came running to me. He was
subservient fellow and bowed mos
prodigiously
On the first landing of the crooked
stairway we now assembled there were
two doors fronting us. At one stood
the host. bowling like treacherou'
mandarin and waving his trembling
hand towards it. We had reached thu
last step when woman's cry, loud
shrill, imploring, rang out from thu
second room.
Cad! What is that?" I cried.
The host came forward, beamini
with one of the most atrocious smile
! have ever seen.
MY prisoner, senor."
Your prisoner!" l echoed in amaze
ment. What! Are you a belliger
ent that you make prisoners?"
Senior, am Portuguese. She
enemy of my country. She is FrencI
spy. l lock her up" He CRIME
overwhelmingly She not like bein
locked up. She scream-but no ma
ter"
81 will see her." said suddenly.
The host looked troubled and eye
the door doubtfully.
She is very safe, senior" he said.
81 must examine her." / answered
she may give me valuable inform;
ton"
| took the key, inserted 1t and pulle
open the door, for, by some freak {
the builder, the door opened ON I
the landing.
AS l jerked open the door, dl
closed a picture. Before me stood
small, graceful figure In very frenz
of passion.