The Spectator., 1914-12-04


 have ears. Keep silent, l beg. We cannot remain here all night, and have business of importance in the other room. Pardon if we leave you for a moment. You are perfectly safe"
 Then. beckoning to Sancho, they left, closing the door with care.
 "Is she with us?" asked the latter as soon as they were outside. Rowe avoid ed meeting his eyes as he spoke.
 Certainly" said he. Did you get the reports that the government sent him last? It is close on two months since we have cornered one. Dtd you get those that were sent to him in the country?"
 No" replied the other. "I have been trying to see you to tell you, but l met with an accident and have been laid up with broken leg, and l dared not write. Tonight is the first time have been out, and only came in re- | sponse to your urgent note. failed to get the last ones. The daughter was bringing them from the post office, and tried to snatch them from her. when bear-a wild thing-sprang out of the bushes, and made of without get | ting them"
 The two crossed the tiny corridor and entered the main room again, go- ing directly to where a group of men, | five in all, were seated about a corner table.
 These persons all appeared to be | artisans of some sort, and by their dress, none too prosperous. All, how ever, knew Rowe, although they gave him no special greeting. Leaning over in their midst, he spoke quickly in a low voice, again using Spanish.
 The senora Is here," he said, and has pledged herself to our cause, as l promised you she would do. She will receive you all in token of her pledge, but do not talk too much to her, as she is i'll, having tainted earlier in the evening, and is also agitated at this adventure. She has come to you, as you see, at great risk to her reputa- tion Let us spare her as much as possible
 There were murmurs of assent, and Yznaga, who was one of the men, spoke up.
 There are some estimates" he said. which I brought this evening. We can secure fat bit of graft from the Maxman Arms company, as we'll as getting the inventory as soon as he pays for it"
 Have you them here?" said Rowe. | Let me see"
 Yes" replied the man, fumbling about in his breast pocket. Here they are. Sit down a minute and look at them. We shall all have to go directly we have seen her. Mike will be closing up"
 With quick interest Rowe spread the | documents, a martial list of rifles and ammunition. upon the table, and at once all seven heads were bent over them. the talk sinking to humming scarcely audible three feet away.
 Behind the bar sat Mike. adding up his accounts. From his ledger he glanced at the wide pasty face of the clock opposite, and then at the group at the largest table. Would they never go home? Their glasses were empty and following Rowe (who was friend to Mikey by virtue of a fifty-dollar bill). went to the inner room. They did not enter, but stood at the door Mikey strained his ears to hear the lady speak, but whatever greeting she uttered was said in so low a voice as not to be articulate from where he sat. Then the man who had produced the paper spoke.
 We shall not disturb you. sonora. he said, flor you are fatigued. We merely wish to pay you our homage and assure you of our fidelity"
 Again that low murmur, and then, one by one, all bowed and left save Rowe and the cab driver. who entered the little room. closing the door after them.
 "Aw, some funny things happens, |" said Mikey, not however, with any spe- cial reference to humor. He stretched himself and yawned. They'll be go- ing in a minute" he added presently. Glory be, they are the last"
 Suddenly he stopped, remembering a couple who were seated in the semi obscurity by the stove. Earlier in the evening these two and their bear had entered the then crowded saloon. and though the throng had grown steadily less. and the coins fewer, they had lin gered. loath to be turned out into the storm. Also they had bought, so Mikey let them remain, and now the woman, an ancient soul. picturesque and hag- gard. had fallen asleep where she sat, overcome perhaps by her last glass of rum.
 Her companion was a man of per haps thirty-five. unshaven, shabby in a suit of clothing that had originally been of faultless cut and style. It was Sam Hill, but Hill so stripped tnS ch of