Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-21

out more words and followed it cautious
Iy. but at a swift pace. in the direction
from which they had come.
There's been foul play" Corbyn mutt
tered. miserably. There may be more.
can see now why Gonzalez was SO
anxious to get my studio. ana why L got
no reply to my letters.
She had been in Europe. Allardyce.
since her father died. and on the day she
landed I was at Florian's funeral wrote
her. though, and wrote again. without
getting an answer. l wrote third time
and then II supposed she had made up
her mind to drop me. My poverty was
more than sufficient excuse. l had called
at her hotel. too. They asked my, name
and then told me she was not at home
That's why joined Meggs.
Allardyce had listened intently-
There's some mystery about the whole
business said he. "Dennys disappear
ance-and turning up here in her COM
pany. 1t seems to me that he must have
strayed out during the night and been
kidnaDed bv Gonzalez But that
doesn't matter at present What
There's the show starting off again
there among the trees.
They ran like men possessed. but the
distance was too great. Ere they could
reach the turn of the road the shadOwy
past the end of the low white building
had gained the highway and disappeared
at a canter. A gaping countryman stood
looking after the cloud of dust 1t had left.
and of him they sought information.
There were two carriages only. he told
them. The president and his party. an
other man and two ladies' just four. all
told. OFF for Alta Cruz. since the road
led nowhere else. That might be fifty
miles or maybe a hundred He had never
been there and could not say to within
an odd mile or so. But ii was over the
mountains. and a long way. He took the
coin that Corbyn offered, and slouched
away. DULY Indifferent.
ITS eighty miles by rail" Corbyn told
AlIardyce, land the road should be
shorter
He stood still cogitating I'm great dis
tress of mind. and his friend put for
ward no suggestion.
I'VE had better get back to the Golden
Eagle he said. at length. and they once
mora ratraced their steps.
THAT WIS why Gonzalez was SO anx-
ious to get my studio.' he reiterated by
the way. What blind fool ! was to
have done was to get her dismissal by
word of mouth. That's where my cursed
pride has cost me fall. And new She
here. in the net. They've trapped her at
last-and. perhaps. through me.
''Allardyce. must cut loose from
Meggs. I must go to her. She's in the
gravest danger. 1t will be my fault If she
comes to any harm here
We'll go together. old chap" said AL
lardyce soothingly: for corbyn was
willingly. If there's no news of him well
leave word explaining. He'll understand.
Well get move on first thing tomorrow
and reach Alta Cruz almost as soon as
She
Corbyn nodded. and no more was said
in the meantime. They took to dark
side lane. which ran parallel with the
main road. and presently emerged within
the buster center of La Boca. a network
of narrow streets, some paved with wood.
others all but impossible by reason of
the pristine cobblestones
Electric cars whizzed past on some of
the streets and high-wheeled carts with
strings Of patient oxen in their Jokes
crept along others. Some were well
lighted. lined with stores which would
have graced an old world city: others
had only murley oil lamps at great in
tervals. and still seemed to smell of me-
dieval Spain and mystery.
Through these. however. the two wan
derers took their way, eschewing glare
for gloom and counting privacy rather
than publicity.
Our friend forgot to tell us where the
Golden Eagle has it's eyrie.'' Corbyn OBJ
served mere calmly. as they dabouched
upon shabby square surrounded by
SQUAT buildings. ana boasting four gaunt
bushes for sole ornament. II don't re-
member 1t. Well have TO ask our way
before we go much farther
Wed better take a cab" said Altar
dyte. ITS doubling the risk and halv-
ing the difficulty don't think we should
face the electrics on foot"
They stopped. and presently a ram
shackie victoria crawled past
They hailed 1t and had jumped in be-
fore the dfowsy driver had finished his
yawning fit.
"Al Agula de Oro." ordered Allardyce,
in hoarse voice.
Isl SENIOR the driver answered. civilly.
EN- la Gale IL de JUNO.
He drove along the main street in the
direction from which they had come and
they sat back with folded arms. their
soft hats drawn well down. Three lancers