Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-01

for he was plunper than ever. In the
manner of his former days he wore his
beard close cropped and mustache waXed
to fine points He stood looking out into
! the night, arms folded, meditating. Here
was no longer the modest, self-effacine
mechanic. who used to go about Forge
mines in a greasy wOrkman'S jumper. but
man of affairs: the air of constant def
erence which he had exhibited at Forge
was gone, and in its place one of resolute
dignity and impressive power, as befitted
an envoy of a nation. Indeed, his very
body seemed to have fed on more royal
food.
For long time he stood motionless,
immersed in contemplation of the beauty
of the night, SO different from that of the
! tropical country he had left. or busly en-
gagged in weaving plots. Doubtless the
latter his crafty mind was not apt long
to indulge in aught that promised little
profit. | watched him. After all, the
matter rested solely with me: the man
had everything to gain by burying the
past and maintaining his present honor
able position. and it would only be when
forced him to defense that he would as
sumo active hostilties. D'Urville was. as
had well learned. no fool. Despite his
guilty career, l grudgingly rendered him
need Of admiration; for in order to rise
out of questionable and obscure past In
the brief period OF two short years to the
place he now held. 1t had required brains
and uncommon ability.
Castro was no easy man to win road
to. nor light master to serve. Yet this
thing D'Crville had accomplished, and he,
a foreigner, trod all the crooked road to
favor. avoided the byWays of betrayal
escaped the pitfalls OF spite, threaded the
labyrinth of opposing interest, hatred.
jealousy and intrigue, until he now stood
as the Venezuelan presidents trusted
lieutenant. Was 1t a wonder. then, that
while gazing at the figure of the man who
stood motionless, with moonlight all about
him. l hesitated what to do?
But at that instant matters took an I'M
expected turn, and l knew at once hest
tation was no longer to be my course. AS
stated, | crouched behind bush not ten
feet from the position which DUrville oc-
cupied and slightly on ono side. Behind
me there was an open space extending to
the angle which marked the south end OF
the house. 1t was around this corner my
assailants must have come. for all at once
I heard light stop on the turf at my
back. then. before l could turn my head
a weight fell on me and / was crushed to
earth. twig Of the bush behind which
as / performed my involuntary abase-
ment. and my face was pressed down into
the Sod Splitting out glass and dirt. l In
stinctively drew myself together to cast
off this incubus which lay upon my frame;
a sudden heave OF my body. quick up
ward stroke Of my elbow into the mans
stomach, and he loosened his hold with
hearty groan. I struggled to my knees,
but second man 1eaped at me, seized my
wrists and locked them behind my back
in grip could not break: at the same
time his grooming comrade scrambled to
his feet and administered a grievous kick
in my ribs. l looked over my shoulder
and saw the white impassioned face Of
the young man who had attempted that
afternoon to dissuade Elizabeth Moore
from taking her sail with me. He was
drawing back his foot to deal another
blow when my captor. whom I could not
see. growled:
Hold on there-stop that. Don't kick
him when he's down.
But rage had wholly mastered the
other: he swung his whole strength be-
hind his toe and caught me In the side.
was on my knees. and had 1T not been
Tor the sustaining grip OH my wrists
should have fallen forward, and as ii was
l turned faint. while q sharp pain darted
through my chest, compelling me to grit
my teeth in order to utter no sound. After
a moment glanced up again. The fellow
mad Withdrawn a pace and remained
quiet. though yet convulsed with passion.
You coward, I'll pay that score some
day." l said
None of that talk the man behind
me cried. gruffly. and with a jerk that
seemed to crack my shoulder blades
pulled me to my feet.
''Ha. what have you here. Davis?''
broke in the voice of new participant
1t was D'Urville. Attracted by the
sound OF our scuffle, he had advanced to
the spot and now stood before me- his
bright eyes shining whitley in the pale
light