The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-07-27
CHAPTER vli-continued.

parcntIy IL was not enough that no
should sacrifice his life itself, his very
reputation, too. was to DO torn to
shreds.
Hour after hour passed. lie had a
little tobacco. but one cannot enjoy
smoking In tho dark. so he sat and
thought and thought I'll the tiny stars
came out like forget.me.nots in the
wonderful Mexican sky. and the camp
woke to renewed life In the GOODNESS.
Presently he was aroused by tho
sound OF someone fumbling at the
chain that fastened the door on the
outside. The door drew open. In the
shadow he heard n voice.
"ohe Milo capitanl"
II was the voice OF the officer who
had met him.
"Si-si! What 10 IT."
III you will come with me II will
perhaps benefit you"
Kynaston fumbled In his bootleg
20 see II that fat automatic pistol still
lay close TO his leg. Fortunately. he
had not been examined for concealed
weapons; the Mexicans had taken for
granted that a man surrendering him.
self would not be fool enough to bring
arms into a hostile camp.
Kynaston stepped out. The officer
with two guards crowded their way
with their prisoner through the fast.
gathering crowd TO tho house where
the general lived. BY the light OF the
two gluttering candles stuck In empty
bottles that illuminated the dirty in
terror Kynaston saw seated beside the
rebel commander, a figure that he rec.
ognlzed ut once-the blind priest OF
Trccanto. the guardian OF the shrine!
The general val the first to break
the silence.
II have brought you here, Senior
Gringo, to ask you some questions.
This good man tells me that you are
an Americana officer. Is It true?"
Ask him. II he IL your source OF
information" said Kynaston In a dis
guised voice. He could see tho priest
lean forward In an eager attempt 20
identify him.
There has been a story come to
us"-the general was in deadly earn
est-"that we mean TO look into. There
was q stone OF incalculable value In
che South that we meant to use to buy
arms and ammunition to help our
cause. We got It; then our forces
were attacked by three times theig
number OF the accursed federaIistas.
and 30 the stone was taken. II was
then that. pursued by our men. the
thieves fed across the line and took
refuge on American soil. carrying with
them the stone that meant so much TO
the righteous cause.
THAT stone was taken charge OF
by the American officer. The next
day the stone and the officer had dis.
appeared, and now the good father
tells me that you are the man. | tell
you plainly. Senior Cringo. that. fall.
ing to obtain from you news OF the
stones whereabouts. the court-martial
shall do It's duty in the morning. Am
/ clear?"
Aye! AS clear as your own laws
and doubtless as discerning"
This time at hearing Kynaston's
voice the old priest leaned back in his
seat.
1T Is the man." he said quietly.
1T Is the officer who took the stone"
"A bargain-thcn the stone against
your life! The stone that means two
hundred thousand pesos against your
life! II IA profit you nothing to keep
Il, for II II IL not turned over 10 us
you shall surely die"
kynaston turned holly toward the
priest.
Thou hast eaten my bread and
salt" he said p~assionately. Thou
hast slept In my camp. Thou knowest
rigAt we'll that | did not take the
stone: thou knowest right we'll that
thou myself art the thief. and that
mesa and by river. What hast thou
to gain. padre, by lying away my
nfe3"
The old priest turned gray under
his dark skin.
MY son. this Is not fair. Thou
sayest that thou didst not take II.
Who then did,
Who? VINO but the man who has
sousht II, as he says. for 80 long7 The
blind priest OF Trocanto. OF course.
Who else has 80 great q desire for It!
could not have taken II. az my com
Neutrality-suspicious. prove. for
was with him from the moment that
he came into my camp till the bundle
was u%nwrapped, and the stohe was
found missing"
WAS no one else In your tent them
asked the general.
Thou knowest there was. senor.'
The voice of tho blind priest rose to
almost breaking tension. Thou
knowest there were the two ladies'
where are they. ! say7"
Where are they? Is this camp a
place To ask such n question? Wouldst
thou expect to find women--decent