The Holly chieftain., 1914-10-09

= little in . glass. He pushed It
toward Holton.
Il drink" he said. smilingly bril-
liantly. ITO Miss La Tossa. and may
she have g. most comfortable trip on
the Gnat.''
Holton left his glass poised.
What on earth are you talking
about!" he cried.
Miss La Tossa. as you know" the
Spaniard said. SIS in Tampa"
Yes. l know that" said Holton.
She came down on my train"
1T is not good for her to be here"
THE climateT Queried Holton. dis
ingenuously.
mo. not the climate" was the re-
ply. SO sharp and so spirited. so much
in contrast to Rodriguez's previous
manner Of speech that the naval OH
Ger started. mot the climate. She
is engaged in activities here that your
government regards as most perni-
cious."
Yes. and your own goyernment?"
came back Holton.
MY government" Rodriguez smiled
genially. happens to be your govern
ment."
So saying. he handed Holton pa
per which. as the officer read 1t. con-
vinced hin,~beyond question or cavil
that Senior Rodriguez was none other
than an attache Of the United States
State Department, whose name was
anathema to every Spaniard or loyal
Cuban.
He was, In sooth, none other than
Ramon del Rey. spy, with headquar-
tiers In Washington, who, although
naturalized American. had done more
effective. If unobtrusive. work for
Cuba Libre than most other Cuban
patriots rolled into one.
Holton rose and, with smile of
genuine pleasure. thrust out his hand.
Il have heard Of you," he said; and
I'm glad to know you
Thank you. ], too. have heard OF
you. But to business. Miss La Tossa
must not stay here. and yet her re-
moval must be brought about quietly,
for various reasons. It IL best that
Miss La Tossa be transported at once
to Cuba on the Gnat. very quietly and
unostentatiously, where agents Of mine
will meet her and conduct her to her
estate in the. province OF Santiago.
Once there, promise you she'll not
leave in hurry. Your orders will
come to you from Washington within a
very few hours. In the meantime I
suggest you have everything ready"
Il see-and Miss La Tossa?"
Miss La Tossa will be escorted
aboard the Gnat at seven o'clock pre-
cisely, and now. l bid you good day
and thank you."
Thank you," and Holton left, won
dering II the man realized all he was
thanking him for.
He lost no time in making his way
to the Gnat, where he astohished
Conroy and Howard by summoning
them to the cabin.
rs there any way" he said, "in
which this room can be made more
comfortable for young lady?"
Neither OF the two men spoke. re-
garding Holton with open-mouthed as
tonishment.
Its this way" smiled Holton, "the
Gnat's been ordered to take a young
Cuban woman over to Cuba, and-and
l want her to be comfortable"
The faces Of the two men radiated
curiosity. but Holton said nothing fur
ther to enlighten them.
Promptly at seven o'clock that
evening a closed carriage drove rap
idly down the long wharf and stopped
abreast the gangway leading to the
Gnat. The door was flung open. and
del Rey and an American, their arms
linked through those Of Miss La Tossa,
descended and without a word walked
down the plank and aboard. the tor
pedo boat.
Holton met them by the coming
tower and lifted his cap.
"How do you do. Miss La Tossa r.
he said. smiling in greeting.
She flashed q vague look at him. and
lowered her eyes without speaking.
Del Rey bowed in courtly man.
ner to the girl. II trust you will have
q pleasant voyage. and ! beg to apol-
| ogize for my seeming rudeness."
The captive deigned no reply. and
turned her back as the two men re-
traced their steps up the gangway.
A few minutes later the diminutive
warship was churning her way out
through the bay.
Holton turned to the girl. who stood
disconsolately. viewing the receding
shore.
Il am sorry. Miss La rossa. but you