The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-03-07
CHAPTER Xxx.

Baron Zollern buttoned his coat,
clenched his fists, and snarled def
ance NO, Nefer!" he roared. step
ping forward and glaring at the little
leader. "Dake dem ofer my dead
body-if you can!"
Gomez Esteral smiled compassion
ately.
II do not wish 10 be too strenuous"
said he. Still think We can obtain
the letters without having to commit
any massacres."
The close-ranked horsemen opened
up lane and Ramon Solano, leaning
on the shoulder Of a small, stocky,
redheaded boy, limped up to the little
chieftain. Brockett, with a whoop OF
delight, fell upon the Cuban.
why not let Baron Zollern keep
his papers?" spoke Solano. The real
letters, Senor Esteral, are here"
Gomez Esteral took the battered old
ball gingerly. as If suspecting a bomb
plot or a practical joke. Brockett,
sensing the comedy of the scene,
laughed unrestrainedly for a moment.
and then. taking the ball from the
puzzled leader. ripped open the seams.
The yarn was torn away. the papers
came in view, and Brockett. still
laughing, handed the crumpled mis-
sives to Gomez Esteral
"Madre de Dios!" cried Juan Tor
rejon, but that was cunning work,
The craft of a fox! The generalship
of a Napoleon, But what, young
friend would you have done II you
had not possessed this ball?"
Both boys Joined In peal OF merri-
ment That. Senor Captain" Brock
EFT answered, would have been the
least of our troubles We would have
borrowed new ball from you,"
Torrejon smote his thigh with open
palm. "Carramba." he shouted, "and
| would have given il, beyond a doubt!
Then | would have been ten times
more the monkey and what you Grin
gos call the goat! Gomez .Esteral, |
am your prisoner Do with me what
you Wilt do not care. After behold
ing good joke such as this. can
meet any fate. well-satisfied,"
Gomez Estera spoke gravely,
thoughtfully There is much here TO
perpex and bewiIder me- will re-
of these letters Rest you here.
senores, all of you. | Will return in
perhaps an hour" And the little man,
attended by two or three of bss horse
men. disappeared amid the cbaparral.
Baron Zollern drew the worthless
envelopes from his pocket. tore them
open. and stared at the blank sheets
they had contained. Then, with a
gesture of utter disgust and sardonic
contempt. he offered them TO Mr.
Yazimoto. The Japanese struck them
from the Germans hand. sank down
upon the sod, and sobbed like little
child Baron Zolleru drew himself ur
proudly. gallantly.
For me-" he spoke, I'D iss all ofer
| may not go back to Berlin now
Young chentlemen, gongrachuladt
you. You haf outvitted me from star
to finch, und you haf dricked me a
de lasd. VII you shake hands mi
me?"
Brockett and Solano stood witt
barred heads as they clasped tn,
baron's hand A great soul had broker
before them, and a patriot had com,
to the bitter ending OF his dresms
They clasped the Germans hanes-
and all was silence save the sobbin,
OF the little Japanese. unnerved An,
overwhelmed.
I'D vos not fair contest" tn
baron said, patting the boys on tn
shoulder. 'Dere vas you two-un
againsd you twenty spies und skille
hunters of men. Sometimes, Her
Yazimoto und worked togeder. Some
dimes We worked abart. Nit all d
, resources at our command. We keh
ubon de drail-two men can haIdl
WOOL twenty. We did all We could
und yet you beat US, beat us at efer
blace. und in efery city. At lasd. her
In Mexico, belicfed We had you
und You gale us de checkmate at d
lasd turn off de road! Boys, again
EonsTaduiats .y5u. Yua viii be gre.
!. some day. Baron Zollern, crushe
und beaten, say 1t nowl"