The Dolores star., 1916-04-07


or Spikey Joe's place"
Good" said Pedro promptly, hus
Ting them out before Pell could reach
them. This escape did not. however
prevent the morning papers from bear
ing an account of how Signor e. c.
Pedro. the noted Spanish painter, went
Summing in disguise.
It was to the little unnamed wine.
cellar known as "Spikey Joe's" that
the rescue party went next Here the
very scum of the docks was gathered,
and the women were of . kind one
never sees by daylight There vere
thieves and pickpockets. dancing and
amusing themselves Just a. though
they were human: and sickly-fac
young men whose profession IL un-
pamable; q terrible group of weary
young people. calloused, yet sensation
hungry. The three companions had
scarcely entered before 1t became evi.
dent that here at least was . place
in which Hill had been. for q girl with
couture turned and pointed to the bear.
with a scream.
There's a Teddy" she called out
"a cute little Teddy-bear. just like the
other guy had.
Dancing a bear must be . - OF
a swell business!" she remarked
You've got the coin. amt you. sweet
hearth" and she stretched out her
hand to touch his face.
Pedro had her glass refilled
Tell US about the other bear.fel.
low" he suggested. I'D like to know
who my rival is"
Sure, Cutie. I'll tell you." she
smiled. But all she had to say was
that a nice. fresh Teller presumably
Hill had been there three days ago,
had made his bear perform, got no
money for 1t, and had gone away
peaceably. When 1t was clear that
neither she nor anyone else there
could give him any further informa-
ton. Pedro arose and signaled the 9th.
ere to do likewise.
Now 1t happened that they soon
came upon portion Of the one-sided
street where the walk had been torn
up. and perforce they had to cross the
beside the water. Here
were some covered piers, and beside
one Of them Pedro stopped the trio
that he might light a cigarette. Beau
Jean followed suit, and Lovejoy. say
ing that he had promised Lola not to
smoke. shook his head, and stood look
ing up at the semicircular sign above
the dock entrance.
Venezuela Fruit Steamship Com
pany."
He spelled 1t aloud slowly.
A strange expression crept over Pc
dro's face as he listened.
Let us look at the boat that goes
to that glorious countryl" he said i'm
pulsively. And they began moving
toward the ill-lit entrance The gates
were open. and in the dim light some
men were working about the hold AS
they approached they saw that small
corrugated iron house, story and a
half in height. was TANNED up against
the dock; the watchman's dwelling,
perhaps. or the companys offices.
What the devil do you want to 20
nosing around here fort" complained
Lovejoy. THE cold Is something
flerce!"
Just a moment" pleaded Pedro. IT
love that country so-venezuela!"
Whats he up TOT" Lovejoy whis-
pered to the giant. But before Beau
Jean could reply lot of things began
to happen.
In the absorption of the moment Pc
dro had slackened his hold upon Mr..
Jones' chain. and the bear, giving
sudden tug, found himself free, and
bounded of toward the little CORFU
gated iron house. some twenty feet
away. and at once began scratching
frantically upon the door that opened
upon its porch. Instantly the three
men ran after him.
Come here. you bear!" yelled Love-
Joy.
Don't! Let him alone!" cried Pc
dro. What on earth could the crea-
lures action mean? Then knowledge
came to him in fash, and running to
L.
smiling and giving little growls of 10y,
he put his ear to the panel. Holding
up hand which warned the others to
silence, he spoke in a distinct but
quiet voice.
Are you there, Sam Hin?"
After a breathless pause, as II of
unbelief on the part of the occupant
of the room beyond, came the answer:
Yes; who are your"
Pedro" was the reply. Are you
a prisoner"
"Yes!" said the voice Of Hill Good
heavens! how did you come to find
The rest of the sentence was lost in
a shout for help from Lovejoy; there
was a sudden sound of scuffiing, and
Pedro. turning to his aid, was met by
blow on the head from a burly fist.
CHAPTER XIV.