The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.

IL night. and a nasty mist was
blowing up from the sea. Deppingha ID
kept to his room. although his cold
was dissipated.
Chase had been up nearly all OF the
night, fearful lest the islanders should
seize the opportunity to scale the walls
under cover of the tampest. All
through the night he had been pos
sessed Of spirit Of Wild bravado. a
glorious exaltation. He was keeping
watch over her, standing between her
and peril, guarding her while she slept
His thoughts. however. did not con-
template the princess fair In a state of
wretched insomnia, with himself as
the disturbing element.
He looked for her at breakfast time.
They usually had their rolls and cot.
fee together. When she did not APP
pear he made more than one pretext
to lengthen his own stay In the break
fast room. she's trying to forget
yesterday" he reflected.
his reflections, bearing thick, rain
soaked envelope.
1T was found. excellsncy, inside the
southern gate, and It Is meant for
you," said Selim. Chase gingerly
slashed open the envelope with his
fruit knife. He laughed ruefully as he
read the simple but laborious message
from Jacob Won Blitz:
"Where are your warships all this
time? They are not coming to you
ever. Goodby. You got to die yet too.
Your friend. Jacob Won Blitz. And
my wives too"
Chase stuffed the blurred, sticky let
ter into his pocket and arose to stretch
himself.
There's something coming to you,
Jacob" he said, much to the wonder
Of Selim. "Selim, unless l miss my
guess pretty badly. we'll be having a
message, not from Garcia. but from
Rasula before long. How are my ciga-
rettes holding outr'
'"They run low. sahib. Neenah has
given all Of hers to me for you, excel
lency, and l have demanded those OF
the wives Of Won Blitz"
"Selim, you must not forget that you
are a gentleman. That was most I'M
gallant. But l suppose you got them p
mo, sahib. They refused to give
them up. They are saving them for
Mr.. Britt" said Selim dejectedly.
"Ah, the ficklety Of women" he
sighed. There's a new word for you,
Selim-Hcklety."
It was far past midday when he
heard from Rasula. He had seen the
princess but once, and then she was
walking briskly, wrapped In rain
coat. followed by her shivering dogs
and her two Rapp- Thorberg soldiers.
Somehow she failed to see Chase as
he sauntered hungrily, almost implor-
ingly, across the upper terrace. in plain
view. Perhaps, after all, 1t was not
the weather.
Rasulas messenger came to the
gates and announced that he had a
letter for Mr.. Chase. Rasula had this
to say:
We have reason to suspect that you
were right in your suspicious. The gold
on plate. has been found this day In the
cave below the chateau. just rs you have
said. This much Of what you have
charged against Jacob Won Bits seems to
b. borne out by the evidence secured.
Last night there was an attempt to rob
the vaults In the companys bank. Again
followed your advice and laid trap for
the fhen engaged. They were slain In the
struggle which followed. l have to In
form you. sir. that your charge against
Jacob Won Blitx doss not hold gooA IN
the case Of the bank robbery. Therefore
have unjustly accused him Of bsing I'm
plicatsd In the robbery Of the treasure
chests. He was not among the bank
thieves. There were but three OF them--
the Bosr flwsmen. Jacob Won Bits came
up himsslf and Joined u In the light
against the traitors. He was meroilsss In
his anger against thom. You have said
that you viii testify against him. Sir.
have taken II upon myself 70 place him
under restraint Notwithstanding his &C
lions against the Boers. He shall have q
fair trial. II Il b proved that he u
guilty. he shall pay the penalty. We are
Just people
you 1t your word. We Ask you to appear
against the prisoner and give evidence In
support Of your charge He shall be
placed on trial tomorrow morning ct ~
s'clcck On my honor ~ man and .
believer I assure safety 70 you while you
are among ~ on that oocasion. !, Ra-
sula, will meet you Ut the gates and will
conduct you back to them In safety. II
you are true man. yeu VIII not evads
the call. RA9UI4A.
'sWeil. It looks ~ though Won Blitz
has spiked your guns" said Deppins.
ham. "Ths dog turns against bis con-
federates and saves hin own skin BY
killing them"
"In any event." siid Browne you
spoiled bis little game he loses the
treasure. and he didn't get into the
vaults. Rasula should take those
points into confederation"
HE won't forget them, rest assured.