Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-22

ing considerable confession. she
also has been in love with him for
many years. and l am supposed to be
assisting her to find him. Find him.
while all the time | am in constant
touch with himl Meanwhile, | tell
her that the search is hopeless-that
| cannot find this lover Of hers!
All! ah!"
And where Is she?" growled the
captain, never taking his eyes from
Rowe.
That is another question" snapped
Rowe. THAT is something l do not
intend to answer, save that you are
not likely to learn"
Then in the DEVILS name. what is
your scheme-what do you want to
do?" roared the captain. First you
mislead us into joining the revolution
on the strength of Sonora Daussa's
influence, proposing to make her son
president, even as his idolized father
was; and now that we are In too deep
to withdraw, you tell us that she
knows nothing of the plot, and by that,
of course, intimate that she would not
approve it! You defraud Vanderpool
playing him and the sonora off against
each other, and then, at the eleventh
hour you summon us and disclose this
astounding matter. What does it
mean? Explain, for by the Holy
Mother, you shall not leave this room
until you have done sol"
A subtle, inscrutable smile played
around the corners of Rowe's mouth,
and he lighted fresh cigar with much
deliberation before replying. Then he
| looked the captain squarely in the eyes
and his jaw took on a determined set
that made 1t seem squarer than ever.
81 intend to be dictator Of Vene.
| zuela," he said very distinctly.
Again silence. On the old-fashioned
marble mantle shelf an ornate little
clock ticked loudly, and from some
where near at hand came low moan
so low and faint that none of the men
heard it, prepossessed as they were
| with the stupendous statement that
had just been made.
"And how do you intend going
about attaining this mild ambition? p
asked the second officer with mock
courtesy A look from Rowe cut hin
short, and wiped the smile from his
face.
81 have already gone about 1t" Rowe
said in his precise way. 1T only re
mains for you gentlemen to make &
decision between the situations. Or
one hand, you support me, lend me the
power which you control-a no NEAR
force as l am quite aware-and l will
present you each with the official ap
pointment which you most desire IL
the Venezuelan government-you shal
be ministers, admirals, premiers-eve
treasurers-anyth you will, wher
once am seated in the presidential
chair. On the other hand, refuse, anC
will simply bring my two turtle-dovei
together, and there will be no revolu
tion. Mark my words-the tariff OF
asphalt is only minor issue will
our friend. Once he has the lady
he'll risk neither life nor money il
our enterprise!"
81 do not believe you'll" cried the sec
ond officer hotly. Il think you ar
lying!"
Rowe looked straight at him, meet
ing him eye to eye.
you know I am not lying" he re
sponded slowly. "Try it, If you doub
mel"
you would be ruined If we did S,
and it proved true" murmured tn
captain.
"I'd rather see us all ruined thai
fail Of my pet plan," rejoined Rowe
A long silence followed, which wa
broken at last by the captain, VIII
arose with sigh.
well, Valdez" said he, you hav
got US at your-shall we say-mercy
think the other gentlemen will agre
that there is nothing for us to do bu
consent to help you, and incidentally
ourselves, If you are to be trusted t
fulfill your promises to US, which
. doubt. Any other course we may TAX
seems even more likely to land us il
prison than this does"
,, One by one they agreed and ther
with regal gesture. Rowe dismisse
them.
Tomorrow we shall talk" he said
81 shall meet you all here at tel
o'clock in the evening. Meanwhile
sweet dreams of our future power"
Then, one by one, they left, string
ing out down the steps, and clankin
across the little paved court, leavin
, him alone.
Ito be Continued Monday