Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER XXX.
Behind Closed Doors.

Isle of Martinique. In one of these
cubby holes or hiding places in a re.
markably secreted district of St.
Pierre, behind doors closely locked
and barred, there sat a man. He was
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 Ha
rose, strobe swiftly to the door and
noisily threw back its bars and bolts.
The door opened and three men
crept into the cellar. The negro
saluted.
"Senor Hernandez" he exclaimed
Il am from Dolores"
so understand" said Hernandez
Dolores" continued the negro, lis
q republic on the coast of Central
America"
Hernandez nodded.
The other man leaned forward.
"Senor," he said, Il am the agent of
the insurrecto party In Dolores. The
insurrecto party in Dolores will one
day own Dolores, body and soul That
day is sure to come. 1t needs but one
thing, senor."
And that one thing?" queried Her.
nandez.
The insurrecto smiled. I'VE need a
man who will take chances" he went
on, "a man who will stake little to win
much; a man who will put up money
and put up brains to get us what we
need-to deliver US the goods
"And what goods do you needs"
queried Hernandez, smiling in his
turn.
The insurrecto showed his white
teeth. "Oil stoves" he returned, "oil
stoves-of the Mauser type-of any
type-made in America"
How many do you need?" queried
Hernandez.
twenty-five hundred rifles will suf-
hce," said the other man, including
ammunition to correspond. And this
cargo, senor," he added, is here in
Martinique. It has come by devious
routes from the United States. 1t is
being watched-closely, jealousy
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 tenfold,' said the
spy, when YOU land the rifles"
Hernandez smiled What more
what after delivery?Y
"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. 81
shall bring to it something more than
rifles. l shall bring the brains of Her.
nandez. am gambler, senor, and
will take chance"
The negro thrust hand across the
table. You are a man among men,
senor," he exclaimed. Then suddenly
he stiffened once again. He bent for.
ward in listening attitude. He low
cred his voice. There is someone
Just outside the door," he said.
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 agent q bit
curtly.
you bring news?" said Hernandez.
Good news" said Inez. "I have
dispatched a letter to the fathers of
the Santa Maria mission in lower Cali.
fornia"
you have been discreet, I 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 L" she be-
gan.
Hernandez started back. Annette
Ilington and you," he faltered.
"Oh, I forgot" said Inez. II 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 will
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 h, ~read. Returns
not, she answered The cruiser AL.
bany comes to him-comes here"
The insurrecto agent stepped back
a pace. Come here" he said. He
glanced at Hernandez significantly.
"Senor,' he added, I'VE have no time
to lose"