Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-15
THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE.
By ROBERT ATKEN.
Copyright The Joh,M compap
Bv ROBERT AITKEN.
to engage another in a great hurry
,cop,risht. 1907, The Joha Mcbride Company

don't think We'll get much out of her.
He spoke contemptuously. yawning. as
he turned toward the door.
THE junta meets for the last time at
| three he finished: Il must be punctual
to escape suspicion"
He fingered still. and his glance fell on
Dennis O'Dare. in his corner.
II didn't notice." he said. sharply. pok-
ing that individual in the short ribs with
a painfully pointed shoe. Il didn't notice
that thing
You'll notice this, then" snapped
O'Dare, springing to his feet his face
aflame with fury, and. ere the bewildered
couple confronting him could even mag
inc what had struck Them he had them
in a heap on the steel floor. where he
proceeded to deal justly by them after a
crude but very effective fashion of his
own.
Each time they rose ne laid them low
again with 1ail-like fists: they kicked
and scratched each other in their blind
ness while he knocked their heads TO-
gether. He did not disregard ring rules
in spite of dire temptation. but other
wise set science aside and thrashed them
thoroughly.
The sentry overhead heard the resound-
ing uproar. but thought at first that
Schweitzer and Gonzalez were engaged in
argument Then he risked reprimand by
looking in, and seeing the fracas. climbed
down. He dubbed his carbine with
felonious intent. and was about to smite
the stranger from behind when two white
hands caught the uplifted butt and a
woman's voice cried, Danger
O'Dare slipped from the tangle dexter
ously and. arming himself with heavy
spanner from the tool rack. backed
against the forward bulkhead to draw
breath. Gonzalez and his ally staggered
upright and stood gasping.
Must you do murder here before my
eyes," the girl demanded. holly. scanning
idpntltv
while he regarded her with the most
grateful sensations.
1--WE are the murdered-not the MUIR
derers." Gonzalez answered. and his adj
versary laughed with heartfelt glee. ;,
Just say the word. Miss Beatrice" he
begged. land I'll complete the contract.
We owe these two
She started. realizing. in the nick of
time. that this must be her unseen friend
of overnight. and. taking that for her cue.
Il shall be forced to dismiss you. too,
sir she said. sternly. ''if l have any
further fault to find with your behavior"
He looked most blankly at her as Con
zalez asked, lis this-ths gentleman in
your employment. senorita?''
He is my private secretary-Mr.
O'Dare." she made answer. boldly. with
out hesitation. hoping that she was not
mistaken in the deduction she had drawn.
Gonzalez's face fell as he saw all hope
her statement. and would not dare to in
terfere with any member of her house
hold.
ITS just as well-for him." he as
serted, darkly. that he was brought on
board. You will have to find quarters
for him, SchweitZer, and see that he has
proper treatment. The senorita must
have no cause for complaint. lest she
should find herself unable to commend us
to his excellency.
Now 1 must take leave. 1 shall not
have the happiness of travelling to La
Boca with you.
Your most humble servant. senorita.
Yours. senior secretario. Remember.
Schweitzer. Quedan Vds. con dos
He bowed stiffiy and left them.
Schweitzer following. The other two
were left together in the torpedo maya
zine.
Dennis O'Dare awaited his new en-
ployer's pleasure. and presently she
spoke In the broad light of day he
thought her even fairer than before. Her
voice was an enchantment.
''How came you here?"
'"rhey caught me at the stair-foot." he
replied, cOncisely. land carried me up
stairs again. And then they drugged
me-
I'm sorry" she said softly. ito have
brought you into all this trouble 1 found
my letter. too. on the way out
THE last half hour has made up for
any trifiing Inconvenience" he assured
her.
but this is only the beginning" she
responded. There was no way to save
you from them but by claiming you'll
know too well how little value human
life has in their eyes-and now you will
have to travel with me to La Boca.'
III travel round the world. if need
be-. he asserted. recklessly. although
I'd like to let my friends know first
I'VE are close prisoners" she told him.
There is no hope of getting word ashore.
That's why I'm s0rry.'
A pause ensued. Then with gesture
of decision she continued:
II had better tell you now that / am
Beatriz Ybarza. half cousin of the Presi-
dent of San Benito.'
Half cousin of precious scoundrel."
thought O'Dare, rather ruefully. recalling
what he had heard of that individual.
but. after all. there's black sheep in
most f1ocks."
His excellency sent for me. but re-
fused to go to him. He has used force in
consequence, and to save scandal. l sub
nit l do not fear him. and you need not
while you are with me, but if they seek
to separate U.s.
The sentry at the deck hatch knocked
upon the scuttle. and Gonzalezs Voice
called down: Here is the lady. your
companion, senorita. The$ launch waits.
and, once more. adlOS.
Come through into my sitting room."
she said to Dennis. leaving unsaid the
finish of her former sentence.
The average torpedo boat can boast no
ladies' cabin. but the Mariposa had been
built to represent an entire navy and
serve many purposes. Extensive prepara-
tions had been made on board for the re-
ception of his eXcellency's cousin: the
quarters in which she had been installed
were wonderfully comfortable and COM
mOdious.
O'Dara sat down at a sign from her
but. as she turned to greet the stranger
announced, he rose again In obvious as
constituent.
A girl was standing i'm the doorway,
dressed all in black. but pretty as pic
ture even in such somber garb. despite
her pallor and the apprehension in her
attitude.
ITO be continued tOmorrow)