Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-22

ing the asphalt question before the
government, Well. tomorrow win do
for thatl The envelope has not been
stamped at this end, see."
"Of course not!" said the other.
"Who is that?"
A second time the bell tinkled, and
Rowe put the letter in his breast, care
fully preserving its fastenings.
1T must be Casablanca and the
captain" he replied. do you admit
themi"
The postal employe did as he was
bid, and In another moment there en-
tered two men, both Latin in type, one
of them being the little officer whom
Hill had seen aboard the ship, and the
other, a larger man, who was the YES
sells captain. At sight of Rowe they
bowed politely, courtesy that was
returned with all possible formality,
and then, the four having drawn
chairs up about the center table, the
captain turned a swarthy face upon
his host and put question.
"Senor Valdez" he began, Il pre-
sumo that something of vital import
has moved you to summon us here to-
night?"
"You are correct in your surmise,
replied Rowe, and we shall come to
tbo noinf xvithouf da1av"
The captain looked about him In sur
prise.
But vanderpool, he is not here!"
he commented.
mo, for reason that is of the best,
declared Rowe, "and Senor Captain,
beg that we do not use the name-it
is more discreet"
"Ah!" replied the man addressed
"Then it is some matter of which Mr.
-, the gentleman is to have nc
knowledge?"
"You anticipate my meaning ex
actly," said Rowe.
"Well, then, what is it?" asked tht
man who had arrived first.
my friends-my very good friends,
began Rowe slowly, tracing the table
cloth designs with a stiletto, which
in its capacity Of paper-cutter, lay a
hand, 81 shall tell you all; but frs
let us review the situation as it stands
To begin with, then, there is to be
revolution in Venezuela, in which W.
are engaged-a fact that we are ab
sorbed in to the exclusion of all els
at this time, being good patriots all
and having the best interests Of ou
splendid country most sincerely a
heart. Secondly, our patron, who shal
be nameless, is backing this patriot
and righteous enterprise with his goo
American dollars. Now, to those intel
ested and active in this most gloriou
undertaking, he has represente
frankly that he is not so much intel
ested in the overthrow of the presen
rotten and corrupt government bt
cause it is such an iniquitous admins
tration as because of his immense az
phalt interests there, and the disprC
portionate export-tax which Is at pres
ent being put upon it, and which
clean new government would promis
in advance to diminish. All this h
has told you and 1t is true as far a
it goes. But there is another and
: deeper interest which is the real mi
|, tive behind his assistance, and whic
Is known to me alone; more, withou
my holding out this interest as bal
to him, there would be no money fortl
coming, and consequently no revolt
ton at ALL"
There was moment of stupefie
surprise. Then the captain brough
his fist down upon the table resonant!
What do you say! No revolution
Are you trying to make fools of u'
or do you really hold such a secret
Come, no playing, we are busy men!
81 have made no exaggeration of tn
truth, senores," replied Rowe. "And
will take but little time to prove a
much. Let us speak of Sonora Daussa!
"Ah the brave and noble sonora!
exclaimed the little officer ferventl.
1T is she whose presence among u
and whose interest in our cause give
us the so much needed courage
Whose immense popularity will be {
such value to us!"
| "Wait!" said Rowe. LET me inforl
you, first of all, that the honore
sonora knows no more of this rev
luton than this table does!"
knows nothing of the plans! VIII
Valdez, is it not her interest which hs
banded us together, which" bega
the captain.
Her interestI You have only N
word for that" said Rowe. You ha,
never-not one Of you-spoken sing
syllable with her on the subjectl"
1t was too true. Save for that on
interview, when little or nothing ha
been said, Sonora Daussas sympath
and support had been taken entirel