The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-12-09
CHAPTER xxi.
A Game He Does Not Understand.

A Game He Does Not Understand.
~ nee more Don Antonio found
himself confronted by the grim
face of Connerton. But Con-
nerton's hands were hanging at
his sides. On this occasion he did not
take the precaution of keeping his right
hand on his revolver.
Your prisoner!" exclaimed Don An
tonic, recoiling. mo, no, senori II you
think that you will again"
He stopped suddenly. At a signal from
Sparhawk a dozen bridgemen, armed
with rifles and mounted on mules, is
sued from the broad door of q ware
house that opened on the wharf.
Who are these menu" Don Antonio
demanded.
Sparhawk smiled grimly.
They belong to an organization which
Mule Guards" he replied. "The towns
run OF them Just now
Where Is Cabrales?"
Locked up! But come, your excel
Colonel Servo and a detachment of
government troops are entering the city
from the west, the Coshans are APP
proaching from the east, and
Glancing down the river he saw some
thing that brought a wild light OF ex-
ultation to his eyes.
so "ARa g. Sae assss is coming from the
Don Antonio saw It, too-saw It round
Ing distant bend in the river and
come speeding on to Moreno--a big
white steam yacht with the Stars end
Stripes fiuttering over her siren.
"Connerton, take your prisoner to our
quarters and guard him we'll until I
Sandalphop."
Don Antonio seemed suddenly to
shrink IN stature. He glanced helpiessly
about him, and the face he turned to
Connerton was suggestive Of that of a
frightened chila The strong man had
him to the carriage that awaited them
he tottered
Colonel Servo! Government troops!
Coshans! Quexores!
Don tAntonio's brain was In q whirl.
Later he would rally his strength and
courage and meet his fate as a brave
man should: but now, whirled around
and around In cataract of failure,
rocks on the great reef Of despair. The
suddenness of It appalled, him and the
shock had paralyzed his will.
And so, offering no resistance. he rode
away with Connerton.
with a rapidly beating heart, Spar
hawk paced impatiently' to and fro as
he awaited the arrival of the Sandal
phon. He was now prey to conflict
ing emotions. Everything was happen
By the time Colonel Servo had en-
tered the town, and McRea, who had
been sent with flag of truce to the
advancing Cochans, must have returned
ere this, and he might have news Of
Barbara. Perhaps Barbara was with
them. Trembling with eagerness and
anxiety, he looked toward the road
along which the Indians were approach
ing but the great forest trees hid It
from his view. 1890
But he would meet Beaufort first =
dear old Dick, whose vacation cruise IN
the South Seas had been abandoned SO
Quexores. and bring him here to justice'
At length PeaufoIt stood upon the
wharf, gripping Sparhawk by both
hands and laughing boyishly.
Jimv' were almost the first words he
princess yet?" 80 Z
spar hawks face lensthened, and he
But SHE'S free. thank God--some-
where!" Re muttered
Beaufort grew srayer. and he looked
"Why---why. old boy. you're taxing it
as hard as f, he hesitated and
stopped. Then he added: You told mo
1t was only q marriage Of eonysnlenen"
quietly. I'm sorry I sroiled your
cruise Your wife is pretty badly disap-
pointed, / suppose, You told me she
was going on the South Sea trip with
Beaufort laughed as he took his friend
by the arm.
III your thoughts lad not been so full
Of your princess, you would have re.
this" he said. There. she's waving
her handkerchief at you again.
Sparhawk's face frightened AMI. wav-
ing his hand, he started for the gang
plank.
Hold on" said Beaufort, catching
him by the arm. You haven't asked
me about Quexores."
"Oh! I knew that once You had your
hands on him.. you wouldn't let him CO."
replied Sparhawk laughingly. "IIe
hasn't jumped overheard, sas hc""
mo: He's on board. with what's left
sparhaWK greeted Mrs. Beaufort and
Richard. jr.; then Re quickly described
the Moreno situation to his friend. 1t
was decided to place an armed guard on
the Sandalphon. anc to leave tire treas
ure aboard until things were qu!eter In
the fowl.
Quexores. lean. haggard. and trem
bling with excitement, was 5r ,ught up
his aea ef 70 car
have accompanied Don Antonio and
Connerton, In accordance with Spar.
hawks instructions, proceeded TO mount
on the Sandalphon was intrusted the
task Of guarding the vessel itself
At Sparhawk's quarters Quexores was
turned over to the tender mersies OF
Connerton and several armed men who
were guarding the place. He was locked
up with two guards, in a room al Join
ing that in which Don Antonio was a
prisoner.
sparhawk and Beaufort mounted a
couple Of mules in the courtyard and
spurred their animals to where the
Quincatanian soldiers and the Ameri-
can railway workers were drawn up to
receive the advancing Coshans. Hailam
was the first to greet Sparhawk.
ITS all right" he shouted, from L
distance of nearly 800 yards. Then,
thrusting his spurs into his animals
tanks. he galloped toward the cngi-
neer and his friend.
THE whole Coshan bunch is for you.