Williams news., 1916-09-14
CHAPTER TX.
Murder.

with mortified eyes at the 1eWel at ner feet. At first she could not believe that she was awaEe; then, leaning forward, she picked 1t up and placed 1t upon the table. The act, simple as it was. reused her thoroughly. With little shiver, she turned to her father. who had regained consciousness and was watching her through half-closed eyes.
 We'll" he said well! Say it I know perfectly well what you ar thinking. Give it a name"
 How came you to take the Bell, Ia ther? I saw it in his tent when we sought refuge in his camp. You saw it there, too. Was it then that you got it?"
 Her father nodded silently but did not take his eyes from her face.
 We'll she knew where the trouble lay. Well she knew why he had taken the stone, for the trouble had lain with them always, and the shadow of it had blighted the latter years of her mothers life.
 Sane upon every other subject, the wealthy old miner, who had earned a worldwide reputation as connoisseur in matters of art, had got along with it an equally wellearned reputation as kleptomaniac.
 For years she had known of this failing of her father. On her very deathbed Dorothy's mother had spoken plainly of it, laying it upon the daugh- ter to be careful to prevent any such frop, ooourrino apain
 You saw the stone when we were in his camp" she reiterated. Was it then that you took it?''
 Again he nodded silently. The girl, her bright head sunk upon her hands, stood silent with the shame of it.
 q needed it-I needed it! And they would not sell such curio. That old priest would as soon have sold his soul as this miserable Bell. It's good thing, my dear, that I did take it. though, for now I have the means with which to buy Kynaston's freedom. Who is that coming up the hill? Is it | Wilkes come back?" l It was Wilkes come back, and Manuel along with him. A volley of curses of more than ordinary f1uency told that they had companions.
 Motioning the women back, Upton flung open the door, admitting the two men with their prisoners.
 They come all right, but we had to use some coaxin'-hey, boz" laughed Wilkes, punching the old colonel of artillery in the ribs with the long bar rel of his revolver. Colonel Mayez fairly spat at him; then, seeing the green Bell upon the table, he started back in surprise The next second he was fairly fawning before the table.
 For this jewel" he cried, "el gen. eral will make any concessions-do anything! It will bring the last large sum of money our forces will require before our arms establish a govern ment of true patriots and we are able to issue loans as a recognized nation
 .'Oh, get down to cases!" snorted old Wilkes.
 This, then. We have the men, but no arms-no money to get arms. Men? Pah! We are gathering men on all sides. Our forces are daily 1n- .creasing. Only last night we had a party of seventy volunteers sent in by Captain Colquez. He sent them in with a request that we send back the ropes at once so that he could forward a fresh detachment"
 And you call them volunteers?'' asked Dorothy.
 ''Si, senorita! They, too, are vol unteers- unwilling volunteers-never, theless, volunteers"
 Wilkes grunted.
 "Nemmind all that chatter" he said What you want is that Emerald Bell sain't it?"
 "Si, si! For that we will let go our prisoner; we will allow you to de part in peace anything, everything! l speak for the general-I-"
 Shut up!" interrupted Upton.
 The old miner turned to Wilkes.
 I'm going down to their camp my self" he said shortly. You hold these hostages for nay safe return. I'll dicker with this old highbinder personally; give him the Beh if I have to, but, any. way. bring Kynasson back with me-"
 He hesitated
 'T really owe it to the boy" he con, cluded. What are yea shaking your head at. Wilkes?"
 Bray a fool in a mortar, yet shall his folly depart not from him. quoted MT. Wilkes. "1 member hearfn' that there an promise him the Bell for Kynaston he'll grab you an shoot you if you don't come across with the Bell.