Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-14

hind a bush without regard to his high
rank in the republic. He made 4 mental
memorandum to have his two scouts
sassinated at an early date II he himself
should survive so long. and lifted his
head high enough to look across the roots
before him. Fresh footsteps were ap-
preaching. hurried. stumbling footsteps
coming down hill at a mad speed.
His captors had laid ambush for who
ever that was also. Ybarra could have
chuckled as he caught sight OF Corhyn
blood-stained anxious face. but that at
the moment a girls voice cried Phil
most gladly. and he knew then that
Beatriz as we'll had fallen prisoner to the
band.
Corbyn fought desperately for his free
dom, and. at that word. he gained II. for
the four men who had sprung upon him
fell back simultaneously and the girls
voice cried Don't shoot. Don't shoot.
Phil.'
He held his hand. unwillingly. and Bea-
triz ran forward. clasping his arms in
hers SO that he stood there powerless.
And after her emerged from the thick
growth about the waterside a stout and
Jovial-looking laborer. who stuck a mon
ocle into one eye and said. The dooce.
old fellow How dye do. eh?''
Corbyn eyed him in wordless wonder
for moment and then said. Imply.
''Landguard."
At which remark the laborer grinned
sheepishly. II do look rather rakish in
said he.
God. but I'm glad to see you here"
Corbyn assured him In a hoarse. shaky
voice. Il was afraid thought that
Why did you leave me. Beatriz?"
She saw how he had suffered and made
answer. swiftly:
Lord Landguard found us and babe US
come with him. He said the troops were
close at hand. and that he would send
And so they were his lordship coz
roborated. II sent two men to fetch you
after us. old fellow. Didn't you meet 'em
up above?
Il thought 1t would be too dangerous
to keep the women waiting there
while"
You were quite right" Corbyn said.
| still breathing heavily. but I missed
your men. l stopped to fire the under
delay-they'll ride round to this side
| and
His lordship drew silver whistle
from q pocket In his ragged coat. and
| the main body of his command, some two
score stalwart riflemen-all attired like
himself. Fiji came out OF concealment
also. and. from behind a sapless tree
spondent. who found time to wiring Cor
byn's hand delightedly ere they once
more started down stream at a pace only
limited by the girls powers.
| Inc wireless doesn't need me any
longer in San Benito." he explained.
| They've sent substitute to take my
place. I'm on my way to Russia now
That's how l happened to take a hand
| in this deal.
''If I had been working for the paper.
of course. I'd have had to stand out
You're rottin'. Quin." his lordship in
| terrupted. Hes been my guidin' star all
through. Phil old chap, Wireless or no
| Wireless.
| ssnoJIy an. u,orn cr,,tc,v. about 49,
islands when we got word from him
that you were cookin' in a pot o. trouble
somewhere up country.
| An what to do after we'd landed I
did not know. ID II l did-your par
don. Miss Ybarra. my tongues always
| slippin'-untfl he tipped me one or two
Willy wrinkles OF his own. dressed me an
the men up in these d. ahem! these
these rags, smuggled us across that da--
that-that pass. and then went puffin' of
| on his fnfernal-yes. I'll stick to that one
| his Internal machine.
He found US fiounderin' about the da-
thistle surroundin' scenery this fore
noon an led the way to where we found
you.
Il wonder who those three were that we
bagged just before you came into viewr'
"One was Ybarra. the President of San
Bentto.'' Challoner said, quietly, and
the other two his orderlies.'
Where are they?' asked Corbyn. al
soon as he had gotten over his surprise
at the announcement.
Comm" along behind" Lord Land
guard answered, nonchalantly. They re
all right. old chap. Don't you fret"
Debouchihg from the forest they found
the three horses tied there and quite
safe from any danger OF the blaze. which
| had come licking after them along the
)other bank. The stream would save that
portion they had travelled through and
Corbyn felt no remorse for the destruc-
tion Of the belt of dead wood between
them and the city.
WED better leave the animals where
they are.'' he said. when his followers
find them they'll be at a loss to know
whether the presidents alive or dead
Pass the word to inquire whether the
two men who went after M. Corbyn
have yet reported Lord Landguard
ordered. and the message went up the
long line till word came back that they
had just come in touch with the rear
guard.
Then we'll get back to our base" said
his lordship. briskly, to the officer behind
him. wait here and tell each man
that passes that we must scatter widely
and cross country under cover They are
to pick their steps over the hardest
ground and leave no spoor. Rally on that
low kopje-yes. the one to westward OF
the pass-and watch for signals by the
way. See that the horses are securely
fastened. Come on behind after you've
counted every man out
The other saluted. with incongruous eff
feet in the disguise of the slovenly cos
tune he was wearing, and Corbyn led
Beatriz along the border Of tobacco
field, while Landguard undertook to pilot
Fiji. 1t would have been unwise to fol-
low the stream further and so lay a trail
which would be OBVIOUS to every tyro in
the hunt.
CTo be continued tomorrow)