, 1909-04-15
THE EARL OF D.RrINc-.N
THE CONSERVATIVE cLl.s
CHAPTER ~.
In Which Opportunity c,u

lowed. the earlier vision Of von,b g
dlhs swiftly as | realized what tre
message OF this card plainly meant
ana contemplated the social gu,s
yawnins between myself and this
woman or the English aristocracy.
cat may look at a king, and a South
American %adventurer mlght ventura IN
%aze admirinsly upon this beau.iful
Sentlewoman. yet vaulting ambifio,
should have a care lest it o'arlean
hseif' On. well. 1t was not much | bad
10 oVercome-merely an imrre sion. 2
ius.'lVe admiration which would carr
reH!7h. for II was hardly probable We
should ever meet a%ain. in spite of hi
lorFship's stiff invitation. and her ey-
ceeding warm glance secretly sec.
onding It..
smiled grimly at thought of so in.
sane a dream of love at such a time
place. Here was /. alone, unab-
to change my environment. every
movement bringing new danger. al
most certain of early detection. thu
result Imprisonment or death; vet
turning aside to quarrel with one only
too gla to denounce me should he dis
cover the truth. and totally forgetting
every caution in sudden admiration fcr
a girl never seen before, probably
never TO be seen again. But a smile
can leave a deeper wound than a
sword, and my mind would recur. in
spite Of other Intervening thoughts.
to the pleasant mystery behind her
gracious words and action. I was thus
lingering over the NUS ana zine.
dreaming a fools dream, n idly Won
dering at the cause of that endless
racket in the streets below, with the
chorus of viva3 arising from the
crowded plaza, when the open WIN
To- facing my table became suddenly
darkened by a burly figure. Before
/ could push TACK my chair, the unwel-
come intruder on mr. privacy was 20.
litely bowling before me. one hand
pressed upon his heart.
Pardon, senior, my so abrupt ap-
pei.rance"-and | gazed ~curiously into
4 round, bronzed face. guarded by
closely clipped side-whiskers. and H.
lumined by steady black eyes-"bnt
the waiter said | shoul certainly find
you alone here, and my need was most
urgent. | address the Senior West?"
1t was the name | had assumed, and,
with closely pressed lips. / bowed in
silent acknowledgment of my identity,
feeling little doubt about the mans
mission. The round. rather compla
cent face broke into a genial smile OF
rel!fe.
Must fortunate | am thus to as
cover you with such facility" he con
.r--I A.-., 4, I1Vh knnIg II
esticulation. "Senor, II is now 3
great favor I would ask. Could you
yield me the honor OF a private inter
view in my own ROOM" pointing up
ward impressively. 1t is upon the
fioor above"
IF your mission is in regard to the
Sanchez affair. s%enor," | returned
somewhat coldly. privacy is hardly
necessary. The preliminary details
can all be arranged here"
He gazed at M in surprise, rub
bling his hands together swiftly.
THE Sanchez affair, know not as
to that, senior. The matter on which
l come is most delicate, most secret;
It is not for other ears. tbs because
OF what | would communicate that l
seek private AUDIENCE.
remained motionless, looking
straight at him. my teeth clenched on
my cigar. my mind busy with expedi
ents. II his call had nothing whatever
to do with my quarrel with Sanchez. 1t
must be an arrest. Yet why was the
fellow SO mysterious? What did he
require OF me in private audience? An!
q bride, ~probably-he desired to learn
| first what amount | would give for
an opportunity to escape. | arose to
my feet. the whole affair settled with
in my own mind. and cool enough to
take advantage Of every opening thus
presented.
Very well. senior; lead the way
and | will follow"
''Bueno!" He laid n hand upon
nv shoulder. his eyes ~darkening with
delight. You have h courage, senior.
the sudacity Of the brave soul. It's
In the face, the eye. and gives me
hope of my mission already. We Will
go by the outside stairway, SO as to De
unobserved by those within"
followed him silently up the steep
iron steps and along the narrow, dim
" lighted hall. He paused finally, un'
locking a door. and stood politely
aside while | entered. A momen he
fingered outside, peering suspiciously
M and down the deserted hallway
and stepping within. closed and bolted
the door. even carefully lowering the
transom before turning up the gas
lights. He hastily crossed the room.
shut down the single window. and drew
closer the heavy shade. / watched
these evidences Of excessive caution
with considerable amusement un-
doubtedly bribery OF the Valparaiso
secret police was considered a most
serious affair. A table occupied the
center of the room, and with a wave
of his rather fat hand my mysterious