The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-05-16

Seant or the guard 10 senC him up
here under guard"
The soldier left.
Now" thought Major Updyke, 'J
wonder what new devilment is
afoot?"
A moment later the Mexican cap
tain OF infantry entered the tent and
introduced himself as FL Captain
Ygnacio Torres
Il have ssked for the honor of an
interview. senor, because ] am sure
that the Americans do not desire TO
lend themselves TO a piece OF injus.
tice. refer, senor, TO the taking of
our stores. The arms, Of course,
understand are to be held until the
cessation OF hostilities, as is required
by international law, but the other
things--the money and our personal
belongings-ar not these respected
as in war?'
What personal belongings Go you
mean, sir?"
Il mean, sir, that there was ON one
OF these paCk.mUles a very valuable
jewel that we took from the rebels In
nght They had stolen it from the
Shrine OF Our Lady OF Olvidados,
down in Trocanto TO the south, anc
were bringing il north 10 purchase
arms with. We fought with them
and took the plunder, and wish now
TO enter formal claim for it,"
Who was the blind priest who
came into camp yesterday and
claimed it?" asked Major Updyke
"A blind priest, senior? know
only that a man came and claimed
the stone-the Bell, ! mean. J
am told that he came hard int;
camp upon the arrival Of the pris
oners. know that he claims the
stone as a part OF the property of his
shrine down in Yucatan; but, senior
that is claim that might well be
made BY any man who has seen or
heard OF the Jewel. Has he seen it,"
Not since it's arrival here, Ger.
tainly"
Can he describe it?"
Major Cpdyke laughed 1T is hard
y TO be expected, senor. that blind
man can SO accurately describe such
thing rs 20 convince anyone He
scribe i, at least"
u ask insisted the Mexican. that
he be questioned in my presence as
10 how and where and why the stone
came into our possession. 1t is true
that the Stone was looted from the
south BY the rebels IL is also true
that we defeated them in open fight
| and that they fed leaving their pack
mules
These mules we captured, and
afterward were compelled TO abandon
when the rebels had received re-en-
torcements and drove us across the
border. Then, senor, your lieutenant
held US as prisoners OF war and took
our baggage.
j ask this, senior, because one of
my men has told that he saw the
blind priest leave the camp short
time ago. ! know him well enough
10 know that if he has left a good bed
and good meals he must have had
sound reason. May see the stone,
senor, 10 be assured OF it's safety?"
Major Updyke hesitated. A refusal
OF the request, which was but reason
able, would certainly create sus-
picions OF Kynaston's honesty. A
statement of the actual condition OF
anairs would not be believed. He
temporized.
"Sener Kynaston turned over the
saddle-bags to me a while ago." he
said. Il think it would be better to
wait until he returns"
But, senor," persisted the Mexi-
can, did you see the Bell? 1t Is a
wonderful stone?" Did you see it?'
No, ] have not seen It; in fact,
senor, to be perfectly frank with you,
when Senor Kynaston sent for the
padre to speak to him about the mat
ter OF the Bell, the padre had left
the camp and the stone was gone"
The Mexican started.
'Senor," he said. IT had feared
some such thing. Ell viejo diablo! I
might have known that some such
thing would happen If the lieutenant
were not warned. Blind as he is,
that old rascal can see more with his
sightless eyes than many sound men
with two. Where is the lieutenant,
senor?"
He, too. has left camp, and he has
sent a party to arrest the padre
wherever they shall find him. Rest
content, senor, the jewel will be re-
covered, and when IL is recovered It
will not again be placed in jeopardy.
VIII yoI not sit down and have
cigar? / can guarantee them. They
come from your own state Of Tam
aulipas."
In the meantime Kynaston, with