The Dermott news., 1916-07-13
CHAPTER VIl-Continued.

should sacrifice his life itself; his very reputation. too, was to be torn to shreds.
 Hour after hour passed. He had a little tobacco. hut one cannot enjoy smoking in the dark. So he sat and thought and thought till the tiny stars came out like forget-me-nots in the wonderful Mexican sky. and the camp woke to renewed life in the coolness.
 Presently he was aroused by the souud of someone fumbling at the chan that fastened the door on the outside The door drew open. In the shadow he heard a voice.
 One Mic eapitani'
 It was the voice of the officer who had met him.
 'Si-si What is it?"
 If you will come with mo 1t will perhaps benefit you"
 KyEaston fumbled in his bootleg to see if that flat automatic pistol still lay close to his leg Fortunately, he had not been examined for concealed weaposs the Mexicans had taken for granted that a man surrendering him. self would not be fool enough to bring arms into hostile camp.
 Kynaston stepped out. The officer with two guards crowded their way with their prisoner through the fast gathering crowd to the house where the general lived By the light of the two gluttering candles stuck in empty bottles that illuminated the dirty in terior kynaston saw, seated beside the rebel commander, figure that he rec ognized at ouce-the blind priest of Trocanto. the guardian of the shrine,
 The general was the first to break the silence.
 T have brought you here. Senor Gsngo to ask you some questions. This good man tells. me that you are an Americana officer. Is it true?"
 Ask him. if he is your source of information. said kyuaston in dis guised voice. He could see the priest lean forward in an eager attempt to identify him.
 There has been a story come 10 us"-the general was in deadly earn est--"that We mean to look into. There war a stone of incalculable value in the 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 their number of the accursed tedera,istas, and so the stone was taken. It was then that. pursued by our men. the thieves fled across the line and took refuge on American soil. carrying with them the stone that meant so much 10 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 mg to obtain from you news of the stones whereabouts. the court martial shall do it's duty in the morning Am l clear?"
 Aye! As clear as your own laws and doubtless as discerning"
 This time at hearing Kynaston voice the old priest leaned back in his Seat
 It is the man" he said quietly Tt is the officer who took the stone,
 "A bargain-then the stone against your life, The stone that means two hlndred thousand pesos against your lie! It can prort you nothing to keep it for if it is not turned over to us you shall surely die"
 Kynaston turned hotly toward the ptjest.
 Thou hast eaten my bread and salt" he said passionately. Thou hast slept in my camp Thou knowest right we'll that I did not take the stone; thou knowest right well that thou myself art the thief. and that hal parties out searching for thee by mesa and by river. What hast thou to gain. padre, by lying away my lifa?"
 The old priest turned gray under his dark skin
 My son. this is not fair. Thou SdtcSt t4ihl NiOu uidoG llQl ldht It, Who then did?"
 Who? Who but the man who has sought 1t, as he says, for so long? The blind priest of Trocanto. of course. Who else has so great desire for it? | could not have taken 1t, as my com mandante-major-can prove. for I was with him from the moment that he came into my camp till the bundle was unwrapped and tte stone was found missing.
 Was no one else ir 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. I say?'
 Where are they? Is this camp place to ask such question? Wouldst