The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-19
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was indeed absolutely confident or heinz able to defeat an attack upon the building from that side; ana the only cause of fear was lest Beltano should think of the cliff path and nave that made easy in order to get at me from the rear. If I had only had one other man with me. could nave lausn ed at all his efforts.
 Busted with these thoughts. l was keeping a vigilant eye for the iirst sign of the forthcoming attack when Pepita came to me. They had heard the shots and Masita had sent her to learn what had occurred.
 T could not leave here or l would have come to tell her." replied. Ask her to come to me; and stay, Pepita have you courage encegh 10 help me?
 How can I help. Beppo? you would not have me fire on the men?"
 "Oh, no But I wish to know if any attempt is made to improve the path round by the cliff. Will you go every hour to the lookout and warn me the instant you see a sign of anything be- ing done? You need not show your self if you lie at full length and peer over the lower rail"
 She promised readily and went to give my message to Masita The scene with Molta had made very strong and exceedingly unfavorable impression upon Masita, and when after some de- lay she came to me, the change in her was unmistakable. Her face was set and hard, her manner cold, and her eyes full of suspicion and fresh alarm
 .swhy have you sent for me, l have come because you have made me afraid of you. You rule women by fear.
 Her words and her attitude irritated me as much as her previous misread- ing of my treatment of Molta. At an- other time. I should have smiled at it. no doubt; but my nerves were at high tension and I was not master of my temper.
 T did not send for you in any such sense as you suggested" replied testify. And you misread the whole thing just now"
 You raised your pistol against a defenceless woman and the look in your eyes was not one to be nlisread.'
 ''so much the better; but 1t was only playacting, nevertheless. had not just cleared myself. of one murder merely to commit another. Had you opened the door I should not have hurt Molta; but I had to stop you, and dared not let her see that I had any other intention"
 must have acted the desperado well for she found this explanation hard to credit. T have looked to you for the truth" she said after'a a pause.
 "Well, you couldn't have it then; but you know 1t now My old reputation is a very ugly one; and had to trade on 1t. hope. Beltano will be as ready to believe shall act up to it as you seem to be. But I am no cutthroat; even if do war upon women"
 She bit her lip and winced and after another pause asked with less coldness, 'sWhat do you wish me to do?'
 gro understand things as they really are" I replied shortly. T must know, if you still persist in leaving here. can't stop you now, of course, and ah, things are too serious to waste breath in this way" I broke off inn patiently. Let me tell you what has occurred. Beitano has refused to ac- cept any ransom. He swears he will break in here, and has gone away to make preparations. I have not said a word about Molta being here. and shall not, until there is no other course left He will be back in a few minutes, anc there will be no more talk until one oi other of us has the best of the first round. He is dead set upon killing me