Courier Democrat., 1918-06-13
his face drawn with anxiety, his lips

framing the same question.
"No!" The lieutenant shook his
head. IT am a friend-a Cuban, in
spite of this uniform. If you repeat
my words I shall be shot within the
hour. implore you"-his voice be-
came more urgent-"to heed my warn
ing. Remember - midnight! =" He
bowed, turned to the door, and was
gone.
On the stroke Of midnight O'Reilly
was arrested. After thorough search
Of his person and his premises he was
escorted to government headquarters,
where he found Leslie Branch.
The invalid looked taller, thinner,
more bloodlezs than ever, and his air
of settled gloom admirably became the
situation.
Hello. What luck?" Johnnie flashed
at him.
"Good!"
An officer sharply commanded him
to be silent.
The prisoners were ordered to stand
side by side, facing their accusers.
rigorous examination. Owing to his
acquaintance with Spanish, O'Reilly
was able to defend himself without the
aid of an interpreter.
1t was evident from the first that
Branch's case was hopeless. He read
lily acknowledged himself to be news
paper writer, and admitted having sent
articles for publication through the
mails. This. was quite enough; from
the attitude Of the military men it
promised to go hard with him. Judg-
ment for the moment was suspended,
and the two prisoners were led away.
At last O'Reilly was recalled; but
when he re-entered the big room he
found General Antuna awaiting him,
alone.
The general spoke with force and
gravity: "Mr. O'Reilly, I believe you
to be far greater menace to the in
terests Of my country than-well, than
score of dynamite experts I believe
you are writer"
The American smiled. "Are writer's
such dangerous people?"
'That altogether depends upon cir
cumstances. The United States is in
clined to recognize the belligerency of
! these Cuban rebels, and her relations
with Spain are becoming daily more
strained; ill-feeling grows, and all be-
cause of the exaggerations, the men
dacities, that have gone forth from
| hQrQ f0 no 40
term1ned to put down this uprising
in our own way; we will tolerate no
| foreign interference. War is never a
pleasant thing, but you journalists
have magnified it's horrors and mis-
represented the cause of Spain until
You threaten to bring on another and
a more horrible combat. Now, then,
you understand what I mean when I
say that you are more dangerous than
a powder expert; that your pen can
do more injury, can cause the death
of more Spanish troops than could a
! regiment of Americans with dynamite.
Your English friend makes no secret
Of his business, so we shall escort him
to Neuvitas and see him safely out of
lIe country, once TOR all.
"And yet you permit me to remain?"
Johnnie was surprised.
For the present, yes! That is my
| official message to you. Privately
however"-the speaker eyed O'Reilly
with a disconcerting expression-'I
would like to warn you. You are a
bright fellow, and you have way with
you-there's no denying it. Under
other conditions it would be a pleas
ure to know you better. It grieves me,
! therefore, to warn you that your fur
ther stay in Cuba will not be-pleas-
ant. I almost regret that there is no
conclusive evidence against you; it
would so simplify matters. Come, now,
hadn't you better acknowledge that 1
have guessed your secret?"
O'Reilly's perplexity was changing
to dismay, for it seemed to him he
was being played with; nevertheless,
he shook his head. II would only be
deceiving you, sir,' he said.
General Antuna sighed. 'Then
see embarrassments ahead for both of
U.S.
"MOre arrestS?"
"Not necessarily. Understand me, I
speak as one gentleman to another,
but-you must have noticed that Amer
leans are unpopular with our troops.
Eth? They are impulsive, these troop
ers; accidents cannot be prevented.
Suppose something should happen to
you? There is the trouble. You came
to Cuba to enjoy it's climate; you can
not be expected to remain indoors. Of
course not. Well! Among our SOL
diers are many new recruits, patriotic,
enthusiastic young fellows, but-care-
less. They are wretchedly unproficient
marksmen, and they haven't learned
the danger of promiscuous rifle fire.
They are forever shooting at things,
merely to score hit. Would you be-
lieve it? Oh, have to discipline them
frequently. To think Of you being