Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-09-07

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mortally. The machine glided to the
ground and its occupant lunged out Of
the seat In a dying condition.
Pearl came running up from behind
some boulders. She did not hesitate.
Adams knew that she was an accom-
plished fier and when he saw her
quickly don the dead mans goggles
and ear-muflers and invest herself in
his coat her intentions needed no ex-
plantations to him.
Showing himself to her for the first
time, he grasped the unexpected
chance and gave the machine n push.
I~nvoluntarily Pearl opened the levers
and started the engine. In another mo-
ment she was soaring toward the
American border.
Alone for the moment In a region
infested with the lurking and rapa-
cious border foe. Adams now did sew
eral queer things. From among the
apparel Of dead Granadians strewn
about he collected a wardrobe and dis
appeared behind some bushes to change
his clothes.
There was something startling in
the change when he r~eappeared.
Armed from the holster of one of the
dead raiders and drawing the priced
belt a little tighter around his waist,
without looking to right or to left, he
skunk out of view with the air Of a
person who knew what he was about,
where he was going and at ease in the
garments he wore.
An hour later after a logged tramp
through a changing landscape, he came
mine. He entered without hesitation.
He swept the spare and dirty interior
with a cold glance. In a corner crouch
ed a bag of a frightened oma
"Get upv' he ordered, bluntly. I'm
half starvedI !"
The aged G%ranadlan tottered to her
feet, cringing before a master.
Then came another surprise. His
Granadian was faultless nor now was
there stammering in his speech.
After a breakfast of bacon and cOf-
fee, Adams had a long talk with the
NOAAah ala EAt ANA hNO uAbAhNA AUOA4
commanding her to remain there until
he called for her. He removed his
belt when ne was sure that he was
alone and unobserved, and opening a
secret compartment behind the buckle
took out the Canal defense plans. He
fell to studying and wondering Oeer
the blank sheet of paper for which
chemicals to render it legible were
lacking.
Midday arrived before his solitary
meditatiOns were concluded. During
luncheon he had another long talk
with the woman, the subject of which
pertained to Bolero, his movements
and the attitude of the people of that
section toward his ambitions to over
throw the ruling party of Granada and
seat himself in the presidential chair,
The I'M was well informed. Her
shack was in an isolated and sequest-
ed location. 1t was a safe place for
~personages in any faction besettlng
that turbulent country to meet and
hatch political schemes.
She was a Castilllan. She had been
very beautiful in the gentle days. The
noble Diaz of Mexico had often said
so to her.
She told Adams of remote and pic
turesque things, of laces and rufles
of loves, of valor; and his volatile i'm.
a~gination dwelt pleasantly in the
courts and gardens Of a ghostly royal
ty, when out of these stirring shadows
Of long ago there doomed upon the
threshold a flesh and blood figure Of
today.
Major Brent stood there, his eyes
dilating.
Hands up, Orderly Adamsl" cried
Brent, covering him. drop that gun
You have exposed yourself at last anC
are under arrest!"
Adams held his nerve. 81 may b.
! under arrest and I w-won't resist you,
he said, lowering his weapon; "bu.
> I'm n-not going along with you.
, g-guess you're going tito give me ter
minutes alone, Major Brent And HI
indicated to the officer to step inside
motiOniLg the woman to retire.
, Something in the face OF Adams
! made Brent consent to that ten min
: utes' interview. He came in and closet
the door with a bang.
Adams opened the conversation
whats t-that locket Of Bertha Bonn
, containing your phOty w-wOrth t
your
"What locket-what photograph?
demanded Brent with sudden fear.
: "Try that s-stuff out ON Miss Dare =
: exclaimed Adams, laughing in his face
: "You can't put It O-over on me. 1 ego
your number, Major Brent. What will
you pay m-me for it7'
At the expiration Of the ten mlnut,
. interview Major Brent left the shacl
alone. He carried with him the sup
posed belt Of the late Captain Payn,
and the priced Canal defense plan.
with which Adams had successful!
bartered for his freedom.
. Toward ninhtfaI after hard ridfni