Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-11-10
CONTINUED from Previous Issue
CHAPTER Xxx.


ana barred, there SAT man. lie was
a negro. tall and gaunt: he wore a
mustache and an imperial; even as he
sat at ease his bearing was military.
Suddenly he stiffened. There were
three taps upon the barred door. He
rose, strobe swiftly to the door and
noisily threw back it's bars and bolts.
The door opened and three men
crept into the cellar. The negro
saluted
"senor Hernandez" he exclaimed,
81 am from Dolores"
so l understand said Hernandez.
Dolores" continued the negro, 'is
a republic on the coast of Central
America"
Hernandez nodded.
The other man ieancd forward
"Senor." he said. Il am the agent OF
the insurrecto party in Dolores. The
insurrecto party in Dolores viii one
day own Dolores. body and soul That
day is sure to come. II needs but one
thing, seuor"
And that one thing?" queried Her
nandez.
ne SAAit4Nds W = iSNN "a
man who will take chances" he went
on, "a man who VIII stake little to win
much; a man who viii put up money
and put up brains to get us what we
need-to deliver us the goods"
And what goods DO you' need?
queried HernanGcz, smiling in his
turn.
The insurrecto showed mis- white
teeth "Oil stoves. he returned, "oil
stoves-of the Mauser type-of any
type-made in America.
How many do you need?' queried
Fernandez.
Twenty-Five hundred rifles will SUI
fee" said rhe other man including
ammunition to correspond. And this
cargo. senor," he added is here in
Martinique 1t has come Dy devious
routes from the United States. 1t is
being watched-closely. jealously
watched, by secret service officers
by the government OF the United
States.
Hernandez sighed. What return
does this man OF daring get?"
We will pay you enfold.2 said the
spy, when YOU land the rifles"
Hernandez smiled What more
what after delivery?"
"Ah. returned the other, twenty
thirty-a hundredfold when the rev.
olution has succeeded
Hernandez tapped himself upon the
chest. 1T will succeed he said II
shall bring to it somethine more than
rifles. 1 shall bring the brains OF Her
nandez. l am a gambler, senor, and /
Vill take a chance"
The negro thrust a hand across the
table. You are a man among men,
senor,' he exclaimed Then suddenly
he stiffened cnce again. He bent for,
ward in listening attitude. He low.
cred his voice. There is someone
just outside the door," he said.
Hernandez strode to the door, drew
back the bolts and opened.
A woman entered-Inez Castro.
"Senor." said Hernandez to the in
surrecto agent, this is Senorita Inez
Castro. She is one of u.s."
Inez nodded to the Gsert a bit
curtly.
you bring rews?" said Hernandez.
Good news" said Inez. 81 have
dispatched letter n the fathers Of
the Santa Maria mission in lower Cali.
fornia."
you have been discreet, trust"
said Hernandez.
Il have been more than that" re-
turned Inez. THE governor of Mar.
Unique himself has identified my pho
tograph as the heiress of Lost Isle"
Hernandez was plainly puzzled.
who induced him TO put his name
to place his seal upon this photo
graph?" he inquired.
Annette Ilington and T." she be-
gan.
Hernandez started back. Annette
Ilington and you," he faltered.
"Oh, / forgot" said Inez. Il have
been getting messages from you, but
could get none to you. She still lives,
this Annette Ilington."
Incredible" exclaimed Hernandez.
"And what of her companion-what OF
this sailor boy?"
HE lives. too." said Inez. "He win
be a gunner or a gunner's mate on
the cruiser Albany" she said.
Good, exclaimed Hernandez. 'Then
he returns to the United States"
Inez shook her head. Returns
not" she answered "The cruiser Al
bany comes to him-comes here"
The insurrecto agent stepped hack
a pace. Come here" he said. He
glanced at Hernandez significantly.
"Senor." he added. I'VE have nc tine
to lose"
I'VE shall lose no time." said Her
nandez. Leave that TO me" He
turned to Inez. what of this girl
Annette?" he queried. Has she given
up the chaser"
Inez shook her head. ''The day after
tomorrow" she returned, I'VE sail for
the Panama canal"
Two days later the Rio Grande left
port for the Panama canal. When she
was fairly out of sight another and
quite different looking vessel hove
into view and entered port.
This latter vessel was the cruiser
Albany, seeking for something that
she had not found-as yet. That day
Chief Petty officer Neal Hardin took
his station on her as chief gnnnar's
mate.