Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-10-29
CHAPTER XIII.
#xHN'
Pernlcious Plots.

It was after dark. Out of a clump
OF trees upon hill there sauntered
forth man-this man was Ponto. He
picked his way carefully-warily. Be-
fore he knew 1t he was where he
wanted not to be-in the streets of
the town. Once in, he started out
but something attracted his attention.
A little crowd of men and women
stood about placard tasked upon the
side of hut. Ponto read it swiftly.
Ponto raised his eyebrows signif.
cantly. He had heard rumors-this
confirmed them.
Mosquitoes" he said softly to him.
self, mosquitoes" He tucked the
word mosquitoes back in the inmost
recesses of his mind and went his
way. Skirting the town he reached
the Inn of the Spanish Don. From
the rear he spied a figure in a win.
dow. He whistled softly.
A woman in the window started
slightly, and peered out.
Ponto clambered up to the window
and noiselessly tore the net from it,
Immediately replacing it as best he
might. He shifted the air.
"Ah," whispered Inez Castro softly,
Il am smeared with crude oil-face
and hands and ankles. / am immune.
Here, you smear also, Ponto."
Where" queried Ponto, rs the
map?"
so far as determine" answered
Inez, she has it still"
you cannot get it?"
Not unless l show my hand" said
Inez.
Ponto shook his head. "Not," he
returned, until the chief says the
word. What of mine host?" he quer.
led.
"a blood-sucker," answered Inez;
he'll do anything for coin"
Summon him." said Ponto.
The proprietor was summoned. At
the door, at sight of Ponto he started
back in surprise. But Ponto held his
finger on his lips, and exhibited q
multitude of coins in the open palm
of his hand. The proprietor advanced
and quickly appropriated the coin.
More later" whispered Ponto, "sit
down--confer with US"
An hour later Ponto-a black patch
on the background of black night it.
self-stealthily pushed open the door
Of hut in the middle of a clump of
small trees on hill.
A man inside, waking suddenly, as
suddenly sprang up, knife in hand.
soft, capitan," whispered Ponto, at
is but l."
The two men struck light and sat
down facing each other.
Ponto spoke in measured tones-ev.
cry word that he uttered from now on
contained portent. He knew what he
was about. In the back of his head
no had an idea-baleful but useful.
"Yes," he said, "the mosquitoes car
ry the pestilence. One might call it
the mosquito sickness just as well.
And at dusk, then is their time-then
they bite the worst"
go on" commanded Hernandez,
grimly. He felt that Ponto was hold
ing something Dack.
"The little white angel" went on
Ponto as though reciting lesson.
"Eh," cried Hernandez.
"our young friend of the map
that is what they call her-every.
where. The little white angel. She
goes about from hut to hut-from fe-
ver-stricken patient to fever-stricken
patient-yet she survives. But she
will answer any CALL"
He leaned forward. You under
stand, captain" he said, "she will an
swer any call. Let sickness call to
her, she goes"
"Ah," said Hernandez, that is well.
And the gunner-where is he?"
"Everywhere-he, too, will answer
any CALL"
"Um," said Hernandez. "go on-go
on"
Ponto's eyes cleaned. "Ah," he
said, ''one mile out of town-and
through this clump of bushes where
we sit-down in yonder hollow"
go on" commanded Hernandez,
"what lies down in the hollow by this
hill?"