Williams news., 1916-08-17
refuge on American soil, carrying with them the Stone that meant. so much to the righteous cause

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. l tell you plainly, Senor Gringo. that, fail ing to obtain from you news of the stones whereabouts, the court-martial shall do it's duty in the morning Am I 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.
 "It,. is; the sman.' he said quietly. Tt Is the officer who took The srone."
 "A barga1n-then the stone agains, your life!f The stone that means two hundred thousand pesos against your life! It can profit you nothing to keep 1t, for if it is not turned over to us you shall surely die.''
 kynaston turned hotly toward the priest
 Thou hast eaten my bread and salt," he said passionately. Thou hast slept in my camp. Thou knowest right well that 1 did not take the stone; thou knowest right we'll that thou myself art the thief, and that had parties out searching for thee by mesa and by river. What hast thou to gain. padre, by lying away my lfe?''
 The old priest turned gray under his dark skfn
 My son, this is not fair. Thou sayest that thou didst not take it. Who then did?"
 Who? Who but the man who has sought it, as he says, for so long? The blind priest of Trocanto, of course. Who else has so great a desire for it ? I could not have taken it, as my com mandante-majoF-ca prove, for I was with him from the moment that he came into my camp till the bundle was unwrapped, and the stone was found missing"
 Was no one else in your tent then?" asked the general.
 Thou knowest there was, senor." The voice of the blind priest rose to almost breaking tension. Thou knowest there were the two ladies' where are they, say?"
 Where are they? Is this camp a place to ask such a question? Wouldst thou expect to find women-decent women-in such a camp ot ladrones?"
 Then, senor,' said the general. there can be but one person who knows about the stone. Either one of the ladies must have seen the stone when it was in your tent, or else which is, of course, unbelievable one of them has taken it."
 'No-no!"
 The voice suddenly rose to shriek; the Mexican captain raised his hand to guard his leader from the blow that he thought was coming. Kynaston dropped his hand.
 Someone in your camp must know the matter. Doubtless if any man en- tered your, tent while the ladies were in your camp they have seen him. A note to Senor Upton that I will send by an officer will discover the mat ter. You can tell him with perfect truth that if the jewel is not restored your life will pay the forfeit"
 Wherever it is found? Do you mean, general, if for instance I should be able to prevail upon this blind priest to restore it that l will be re- leased?"
 "Si-si! But mark, I must have the stone in my hands before safety is promised to Senor Upton"
 A lieutenant had entered with a nasty report which he whispered in the ear of his commander in chief, and had handed him paper. A pleased smile stole across Obispos face as he read it aloud:
 It is permitted to announce that tonight the gallant General Villa will make an attack on the American army. The gall lant general will himself lead but small force in this first attack, and will then await re-enforcements.
 You will therefore jcin the main force at by res evening" nil The his plans. but says he will be in Ell Paso within two weeks
 Kynaston could hardly believe his ears. Was Villa really to attempt an invasion of the States? What could such a move mean but war, the war he was sacrificing himself to avoid? The army must be advised, but how?
 A murmur of approval from those in the room had greeted the reading of the message. After a moment Obispo turned to him again.
 "If you wish to live. gringo," he said, .'see to it that my messenger takes a letter from you to the house of Senor Upton this night"
 Obispo waved his hand in dismissal and Kynaston was escorted back to the little adobe house where paper and pens were brought him. For a few moments Kynaston sat, tapping his teeth with his penholder, thinking over the situation revolving in his