The Monticellonian., 1917-05-10

Pearl came running up rom Denlnu some boulders She did not hesitate. Adams knew that she was an accom- plished fiier and when he saw her quickly don the dead mans goggles and ear-mufflers and invest herself in his coat her intentions needed no ex- i plantations to him.
 l Showing himself to her for the first time. he grasped the unexpected chance and gave the machine n push | Involuntarily Pearl opened the levers and started the engine. In another mo- ment she was soaring toward the American border.
 Alone for the moment in q region infested with the lurking and rapa- cious border foe. Adams now did sev- eral queer things. From among the 1 apparel of dead Granadans strewn about he collected wardrobe and dis appeared behind some bushes to change i his clothes.
 There was something startling in 1 the change when he reappeared. Armed from the holster of one Of the dead raiders and drawing the prlzed l belt little tighter around his waist, without looking to right or to left, he slunk out of view with the air of a l person who knew what he was about, where he was going and at ease in the garments he wore.
 An hour later after a dogged tramp through a changing landscape, he came upon q hut at an abandoned silver mine. He entered without hesitation. He swept the spare and dirty interior with q cold glance In corner crouch ed hag of frightened woman.
 "Get up!" he ordered, bluntly. I'm half starved l'
 The aged Granadian tottered to her 1 feet, cringing before master.
 Then came another surprise. Ills Granadian was faultless nor now was there stammering in his speech.
 After breakfast of bacon and cof- i fee, Adams had long talk with the ] woman and sent her into another room commanding her to remain there until he called for her. He removed his l belt when he was sure that he was alone and unobserved and opening l secret compartment behind the buckle l took out the Canal defense plans. He l fell to studying and wondering over the blank sheet of paper for which chemicals to render it legible were l 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 woman was well informed. Her shack was in an isolated and sequest- ed location. It was a safe place for personages in any faction besetting that turbulent country to meet and hatch political schemes.
 She was a Castillian. 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 pie turesque things, of laces and ruffies, of loves, of yalor; and his volatile i'm agination dwelt pleasantly in the courts and gardens of a ghostly royal ty. when out of these stirring shadows of long ago there loomed upon the threshold flesh and blood figure of today.
 dilating.
 Hands up, Orderly Adams! !" cried Brent, covering him. Drop that gun! You have exposed yourself at last and are under arrest!"
 Adams held his nerve. q may be under arrest and I w-won't resist you," he said, lowering his weapon; but I'm n-not going along with you. I g-guess you're going tito give me ten minutes alone, Major Brent" And he indicated to the officer to step inside, motioning the woman to retire.
 Something in the face of Adams made Brent consent to that ten min- utes' interview. He came in and closed the door with a bang.
 Adams opened the conversation. "What's t-that locket of Bertha Bonn's containing your photy w-worth to you?'
 '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 cover on me. g-got your number, Major Brent. What will you pay mine for it?'
 At the expiration of the ten minute interview Major Brent left the shack alone. He carried with him the sup posed belt of the late Captain Payne and the prized Canal defense plans with which Adams had successfully bartered for his freedom.
 Toward nightfall after hard riding Brent and his detachment. by none of whom had Adams been seen, forded the Rio Granada and arrived at the gates of Fort Gordon.
 The major felt a sense of disap- pointment and uneasiness in not find ing Pearl Dare there to meet him. It had been so arranged when upon her exciting return in the air machine, he, seeing his opportunity to play upon her emotions in d spectacular manner. had volunteered to head the force hastily dispatched in search of the colonePs orderly upon the information conveyed to her father in the amazing experi- ences she related.
 He wondered why she was not on the lookout. His vanity was hurt. Moreover his conscience, none too easy