Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-11-20

and went up to bis room to get IL.
A few minutes later disturbance
came from within. A woman scream
ed. and a mans voice called out In
Spanish.
Hargraves and rushed in with the
other guests that had heard the noise.
and at the foot of the stairs n strange
sight met our eyes. Lying PROSTATE
on the floor was the beautiful Sonora
Garcias. with eyes closed and hair
disheveled. while around her neck was
red band. almost bleeding. as though
the necklace had been snatched or
with violence. Up on the stairs the
project grappled with O'Rorke, and as
they swayed back and forth with I'M
certain footing the light cleaned from
u stlletto In the latters hand.
It was the project that had called
for help. and before we could reach
them to assist O'Rorke a half dozen
Of the hotel servants appeared. and
Jim was overpowered. The project
disengaged himself with difficulty from
Jim's embrace and stood painting.
Lock this fellow up until police
come from the city," he ordered But
Hargraves and ] interposed.
whats the trouble JimY | called
to O'Rorke.
The project tried to keep him from
replying. but Jim cried: "He stole the
senora's necklace It's in his pocket"
At this the project turned on him
with a string OF oaths. "villainw he
Kissed. You took the necklace, and
IL 1t had not been for me the sonora
might have Jared worse. Thank heav-
Ell. ! arrived In time to save her from
your stilettow
The retainers wrenched the knife
from O'Rorke's hand, and the crowd
surged up kissing, for nothing excites
the Latin mind like the sight OF naked
weapons. The affair was becoming des-
perate for O'Rorke but luckily ut this
moment Mr. Cuthbert pushed through
the crowd. which fell back sullenly as
they recognized the consul.
Hold ON there! he called as the
walters tried to drag Jim away.
There must be some mistake, project.
l know Mr.. O'Rorke quite well. and
no doubt we can settle this affair In
moment"
The project interrupted angrily, but
the consul turned his back on him and
asked Jim to explain what had hap
pened.
II had gone up to my room for this
eel 90 AL sx.l.t Al. n s.l.~
show my friends on the porch" Jim
explained. land on my return from the
head of the stairs saw the sonora In
the hands of a man who held her by
the throat. l shouted to him to let
go and was surprised TO see It was the
project. who by that time had wrench
ed loose her necklace and slipped 1t
into his pocket. Then. realizing that he
was caught, he rushed at me as though
was the culprit."
The project stamped his foot and
shouted "Liarw But the consul held
the floor, and Jim in proof of his hon.
esty turned his pockets inside out. AS
he emptied his right hand pocket
glimmering gold chain fell from 1t. at
the sight Of which he staggered as
though he had been struck. 1t was
the diamond necklace.
An exclamation broke from the on
lockers. and the project. catching sight
Of the jewel. sprang down the stairs.
With malicious shout of triumph he
held It up before the view OF all.
But "he who laughs last laughs
best" The project had overreached
himself, for entaneled In the meshes
of the chain was his police whistle
engraved with his own name. Pedro
Menendos." Unknown to him. II had
chung TO the necklace during the scuf-
fle when. IN order TO throw the blame
on 0'Rorke. he had transferred II to
the latter's pocket.
Hargraves and could not restrain
a cheer. and some Of the crowd In the
hallway Joined with us. though others
sided with their countryman. The face
Of the project blanchcd. but he fell
back ON the dignity Of his office.
This proves nothing" he said
haughtily.
IL proves tue ueckiuce WAS III your
pocket" Hargrayes called out. and
what might have been a general riot
was at this moment prevented by Sc
nora Garcias regaining consciousness.
For an instant she swept the crowd
with bewidered glance; then rs her
eyes fell on the project she realized
the situation and. with cry of anger.
snatched her necklace from his hands.
"0h. you ingratew she exclaimed.
"You pretended to love me. but II was
only for my jewels. | owe my life no
doubt to this young man." And she
turned to ORorke. HE arrived just
In time to save me-" Then as her
hands caught the police whistle she
dlsentangled II from the chain and
hurled 1t In the projects face.
ut Is a liz" he reiterated.
The crowd. however. easily swayed
from one decision to another. closed In
on the guilty officer and forced him
up on the stairs. In that elevated po-
sition he became the target for vari-
l..