Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-21
CHAPTER VII.
What the Blind Beggar Saw.


What were you doing in San Benito
before Corbyn?'' Allardyce asked. as he
and his friend strobe down hill toward
La Boca.
Nothing in particular the other am
swered. ~ took West Indian trip one
winter-in my moro wealthy days, before
dad left me to my own devices-and stop
ped off here with some other fellows.
wanted to see what the place was like
We went UP to Alta Cruz. in the noun
tains. and had good time generally.
What sort of a chap is the Tiger?
Coroyns brow darkened
1--WE never met him he said. but We
heard good deal about him one way
and the other. and.-Td help to hang him
without any scruples OF conscience. He
has none.
Speak Of the devil." exclaimed Altar
dyce. Here he comes.
They sOugh; in vain for an avenue OF
escape as the advance guard of the presf-
dents procession came trotting round a
corner. and at last crOnched as close as
they dared to the tall cactus plants which
lined both sides of the roadway there.
Corbyn caught sight of a known face in
the first carriage. and almost cried out in
the extremity of his amaZement. while
AHardyce all but fell back among the
crueI spikes Dcnlnu niTl DIS lie SdW Il III
Florfan and O'Dare driven swiftly past in
the second. He had half risen as If to
follow them when Corbyn clutched at his
arm and dragged him down again. but
too late. Gonzalez was staring with in
tent malevolence i'm their direction from
the front seat OF one of the following We
hicIes. He spoke to lean. dwarfiike.
dried-up individual seated beside him.
~ho also peerad back at them. but could
see little through the dust. More car
RACES and then the rear guard r1ttled
past. leaving them coughing by the road
SID. with choked 'lungs. There was no
time to be wasted.
Get a move on Corbyn commanded.
Gonzalez will send back Immediately.
They took to their heels at their best
speed but treading carefully that they
might leave no avodable trail. and left
the highway at the first cross road.
climbed a sod wall and threw thems lives
down in the long lucorne it inclOsed.
They saw that their fears had not been
groundless. for almost Immediately three
lancers and n on-cOmmissioned officer
went cantering past their PLACE of refuge
toward the town. scanning the shadows
carefully.
Corbyn sat up as the Jingle of their ac-
GOVERNMENTS died away in the distance.
and Allardyce laughed cheerfully.
They're on a wild-gcose chase. said
he. land we're tine wild geese. Gonzalez
will be wilder when they get back with
,
Corbyn? Isn't he one of the seven won-
ders. And Fiji. too! What are We going
to- do about it?''
Corbyn made no reply. and he continued
without waiting any.
How I'm thunder did lie get here. eh?
And what is he doing with Fiji in that
circus. anyway? What does it all mean,
Corbyn? It's Chimes, puzzle to me-.
"Allardyce." his companion broke in.
and the Englishman looked at him In sur
I, tNy,<.
did you notice the girl beside Ybarra in
the first carriage?
II got glimpse and no more of very
beautiful face"
THAT was the face you saWS~en my
easel one day and admired so much. i
| sent it to the Academy
1.-The deuce it was!'' Ailardyce whistled.
softly. He was much interested. Here
promised romance.
1--WE never told you before Corbyn
continued. because Oh. you under
stand. I'm too poor. for one thing. And
she's enormously wealthy. But she had
promised to wait for me. and-I know
now that she won't break her word. She
told me once that she would never set
foot in this country again of her own free
will
'.WEo is she?" asked Allardvce. still in
the dark.
"Beatriz Ybarra. She's half cousin OF
that-of the president, and he's asked her
more Indn OHCS 10 marry iIlfH. TIE ucS-
perately hard up. and she-she's afraid
Of him. Allardyce. ChailOner must have
referred to her when he spoke of. the
troubles here. ] know she hasn't com
to San Benito willingly. And now ! must
find out. il l can. where that scOundreI
has taken her. If anything happens me
and i don't turn up again. you'll explain
to MeEEs.
He held out a hand that shook In spite
Of himself but the other ignored II.
yNip Il
gr,fIiy.e
They turned back to the highway, with