The Spectator., 1915-01-15
Anu SIG Hill merely pointed to the paper

were unwilling to relieve her mind, she decided that you were being vic timized in some manner, and so set Pe- me to find out the cause of the trouble"
 Hum" said Vanderpool. And why did you not come here this way, in the first place, instead of spying { upon my activities disguised as a goodness-knows-whatw
 Because I knew you would be un- der no necessity to tell me anything unless already possessed some knowledge" lied Hill with readiness that surprised himself.
 Then this is a sort of blackmail?"
 Not at all!" cried Sam hotly. T have no wish to use the power which the knowledge I have gives me over you-though that and the evidence of the friends who rescued me from that beastly hut would be pretty strong weapon if I chose to use it. But l don't; to do so would be to defeat my own ends and those of Iris. What I want is nothing more than some state ment from you, which will enable me to fulfil the conditions of that promise which your daughter has signed. Be yond reassuring her, I give you my word that shall keep your confidence entirely: furthermore, if can hon. estly do 80. shall even assist you in your enterprise!"
 Vanderpool arose and began to pace up and down, silently, appearing to consider the proposition that the younger man had just made. Then he stopped abruptly, shooting a direct glance at Hill from under his fine brows. He was man of quick deci- sions, and he had decided in Hills favor.
 T believe you are sincere" he said slowly, and there, am going to trust you with the whole story. Sit down and smoke if you like-no, prefer to walk"
 The flnancier continued to pace in silence for few moments, his white head bowed. his thin, youthful figure alert and active as a boys, his hand some cameo-like features contracted In thought. Then he spoke abruptly. You have surmised that a revolu- tion was afoot? You are right-there is-in Venezuela. My asphalt inter- ests are chiefly there. The export-tax, as 1t stands, would be drain upon my profits, and ostensibly that is the , reason for my backing this scheme to upset the present government. But , there is another reason, a deeper one, known only to myself and one other , Rowe. It concerns woman, who, he tells me, is kept a prisoner by the now president of that God-forsaken place. Let me tell you about her. When l first took up this business went to Venezuela to make my con- tracts. I got good ones, and I made friends with the dictator-a fine old man. He had a very young wife-hard- ly more than a child. l fell in love with her and she with me. She had child-a girl it was, but it was be- ing brought up as a boy because the father had been so bitterly disap- pointed at having no son and Carmen was faithful to her child and her husband l am glad she was l would not have had it otherwise. But we danced together a great deal =. there was no harm in that Then, one night the inevitable. or rather the usual revolu- tion broke out. It broke out In the ballroom where we were waltzing. The orchestra stopped abruptly: all was confusion. I was knocked unconscious while trying to save her husband. When I came to, was aboard ship bound for New York. The president was saved, as learned afterward. but the revolution was successful and he was deposed. Carmen, l heard, was dead. Then, after while, married to please my family"
 Iris mother?" said Hill.
 Yes" continued Vanderpool "She died within a year, leaving the baby l was fond of her, in a way, and sorry but I never forgot Carmen. Recently, came across Rowe. who had been prominent in the affairs of Venezuela during my visits there. He told me that Carmen was not dead. Good God! that was all he needed to say, but he added that she was being kept pris- oner. to all intents and purposes, by the present government for fear that the country would rise in favor of her supposed son if she were left free Now you will understand the situa- tion. l have financed everything. The fast boat sails on the early tide, before daylight tomorrow. have here let ter to my daughter which I thought would sufficiently explain my ab- sence."
 You are going with them-with the revolutionists!" exclaimed Hill. T am going to rescue Carmen" re- piled Vanderpool with wistful smile.
 And you sail at dawn! Will you not come with me to the house at