The Monticellonian., 1918-08-30
CHAPTER xVlll-continued.

to-, he assured her. If 1 had money 1t would be a simple proposition to bribe some guard to pass us through the lines, but have spent all that Gen eral Betancourt gave me. He smoothed back Rosa's dark hair and smiled reassuringly at her Well, I'll manage somehow; so don't worry your pretty head I'll find the price. if I have to waylay old Don Mario and rob him. Don't you think I look like q bandit? The very sight of me would terrify that fat rascal.
 ''To me you are beautiful" breathed he girl Then she lowered her eyes La. lal How I spoil you! l have luite forgotten how 10 be ladylike. fsa- bel was right when she called me a bold and forward hussy. Now, then, please turn your face aside, for I wish to think, and so long as you look at me I cannot-I make love to you bra zenly Seei Now, then, that is much better. I shall hold your hand, so When I kiss it you may look at me again, for moment" Drawing her self closer to O'Reilly, Rosa began thoughtfully: Before you came l more than once was on the point of appeal ing to some of my former friends. but they are all Spaniards and We are no longer--simpaticO. you underestimate"
 Rosa paused for his answer.
 Perfectly; I'm in the same fix. Of all the people I used to know there isn't one but would denounce me if made myself known. Now that I've been fighting with the insurrectos, daren't even go to the American consul for help-if there is an American con sul."
 Rosa nodded, then continued, hesi- tatingly: "I had vivid dream last night Perhaps it was portent. Who knows? Ii was about that stepmother of mine. You remember how she met her death? I wrote you"
 'Yes, and Esteban also told me"
 "Tt was he who recovered her body from the well. One day. while we were in hiding. away up wonder in the Yumuri he showed me an old coin"
 'T know" OReilly said quickly. "He told me the whole story. He thinks that doubleon is clue to your fathers fortune. butt can't put much faith in It. In fact, I didn't believe until this moment that there was a doubloon at all.s
 "Oh, indeed there was! I saw it."
 There was a moment of silence dur : ing which the lovers were oblivieus to al h,,f mured: How strange Sometimes your eyes are blue and sometimes gray. Does that mean that your love, too, can changer"
 Certainly not. But come, what about Esteban and that doubloon ?"
 With an effort the girl brought her self back to earth. "Well, it occurred to me, in the light of that dream last night, that Esteban may have been right. Of course nobody outside of our family credits the old story. and yet my father was considered a very rich man at one time. Rancho Cueto believed in the existence of the treas ure, and he was in position to know"
 "Truel Perhaps, after all" O'Reilly frowned meditatively.
 Rosa lifted herself upon her elbow, her eyes sparkling. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if 1t were true! Just think, OReilly, cases of Spanish gold. silver coins in casks, packages of gems Oh, I've heard Isabel talk about it often enough"
 Don't forget those pearls from the Caribbean, as large as plums." Johnny smiled. "I could never quite swallow that. A pearl the size of eurrant would buy our freedom right now.' After moment he went on. more seri- ously: i've a notion to look into that old we'll this very afternoon. I-I dare say I'm foolish. but-somehow the story doesn't sound so improbable as it did. Perhaps it Is worth inves- tigating-" He made up his mind swiftly. 'T--rm off this very instant"
 When O'Reilly emerged from the hut he found Jacket industriously at work over fragment of grindstone which he had somewhere unearthed. The boy looked up at his friends approach and held out for inspection long, thin file, which he was slowly shaping into lnife-blade.
 "What do you think of that?" he queried proudly. Tt may come in handy when we are ready to clear out of this pesthole."
 "Where did you get it?''
 "Oh. l stole il. I steal everything can lay my hands on nowadays. One can never tell when he may have throat to cut, and file has good steel in It."
 Since you are such an accom- plished thief. do you think you could steal something for meT' OReilly in- quired. "A piece of rope?'
 Roper Jacket was puzzled. Rope is only good for hanging Spaniards My friend in the fish market has volandra, and-perhaps l can rob him of halyard." Laying aside his task Jacket arose and made off in the direc- ton of the water front. He was back within an hour, and under his shirt he carried coil of worn but service able rope. Without waiting to explain his need for this unusual article. OReilly linked arms with the boy and Set out to climb La Cumbre. When at last they stood in the unused quarry and Johnnie made known his intention to explore the old well, Jacket re- garded him with undisguised amaze ment
 What do you expect to find down there?' the latter inquired.
 ..To tell vou the truth l don't really