Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-02

Meggs was still alive. He asked IL Don
Ygnacio would exchange him honorably
for Gonzalez. but was informed that he
might hang the latter out Of hand him
1t seemed that Don Ygnacio was not
pleased with his ex-spy. "'And-as to-
the-Senor-Meggs.' Corbyn read or
mechanically. turning the text OF the
benefit Of his listening men. he will be
shot-at-dawn-tomorr The rest-of-
you-will be treated-likewise-w hen-the
time-comes.'
I'VE need waste no more words on
him. said Corbyn. CURLY. I'll see
whether 1 can't call up Alta Cruz.
Sariol might do something for u.s."
Before he could achieve his purpose il
had been forestalled, message from the
ridge forbidding the city to answer any
dents cipher; all he could do was to read
off the news that came thence to the
camp. and, since the bulk OF that was
also coded, he learned little.
Allardyce and O'Dare in turn took their
commander to one side in order to pro-
pound to him a private plan whereby
each might take Meggs' place, or. failing
that, lead forlorn hope to his rescue.
1t was. of course. impossible for Cofbyn
to countenance such a suggestion. or he
would have gone forth himself.
Fortune had called a forfeit, fixing on
Gerald Meggs to pay il. That he would
do SO with a good grace no one doubted.
and the irrevocable could not be gain
said. no matter what Ii might cost them
to look on inactively.
Notwithstanding all the platitudes with
which he met their plans. he himself went
out again that night with a handful OF
volunteers. and fought for a full hour
the force which had been set about his
stronghold after dusk for the precise pur-
pose Of preventing such an outbreak.
When q new morning approached there
were three wounded men for the besieged
to tend and that was all the reward they
had won. These were bestowed in q
hastily improvised hospital underground.
and then their comrades gathered at the
cliff-edge, waiting there helpless while
the few minutes that held back dawn
licked swiftly away.
The circle on the plain below was
drawing out Of range. and from the ridge
there came regiment to reinforce II.
The doomed mans friends saw clearly
through their glasses all that passed.
There was a band. which played a dismal
parody of the Dead March, and, close
behind 1t. rough coffin on a cart. After
the cart there walked woman, closely
guarded.
Corbyn groaned aloud Poor chap,
poor chap!" he said. "They might have
given him a suit Of clothes. What an
inhuman brute Ybarra ISL
The sad procession halted midway be-
tween the opposing camps and waited
upon it. They formed a hollow square.
and at its open side a dozen sappers had
soon dug a shallow grave. The woman
stepped toward IL without hesitation. and
stood facing the firing party in the half
light. while an officer acting as provost
marshal detained in q loud voice her
crime and its sentence. Faint echoes OF
his speech reached on the rare atmos-
phere to the hacienda. And while the
men there were straining their ears in
the effort to catch a chance word they
heard CHEEKY voice behind them. Cad!
but I'm glad to see you all again."
1t was Meggs himself who shook their
hands after they had got over their first
fright.
whats doing down there?" he asked.
wonderingly, and. even as he spoke. q
thin, white. struggling vapor wreathed
the rifles of the firing party. The woman
in front of them fell forward on her facs
and lay there, very still. sudden. dis
cordant crackle sounded jarringly on the
silence. And at that moment Beatrix
stepped out upon the piazza beyond the
untidy flower beds. ignorant Of tha
tragedy which had been played out below
Have you seen Fin?" she called, in
her sweet. clear voice. II can't find her
anywhere"
But no one answered. All the others
were cycling Meggs, who was looking
blankly down at where q dozen sappers
were shoveling industriously.
Ito be continued tomorrow.)