Evening star., 1918-01-20

INJURED the druggist. wait here while
l go to the roof. where 1 can see some
thing"
O'Reilly tried to compose himself,
meanwhile becoming aware of a grow
ing excitement in the street. Pedes-
trians had halted, shopkeeDers had
come to their doors. questions were
flying from mouth to mouth. Then
from the direction of the fort at the
end of San Rafael street sounded a
faint rattling fusillade. more bugle
calls, and finally the thin, distant shout
ing of men.
"Rebels" some one cried.
''Dios milo. they are attacking the
''They have audacity. eh?"
The roofs were black with people
now Manin came hurrying down into
the store.
Something has gone wrong" he whis-
pered. They're fighting out yonder In
the woods. There has been some
treachery"
1T is ten-ifteen." said oReilly. Il
Manin stared at him. You don't un-
derstand-
"Those. black fellows are getting
their horses ready. I'm going"
The druggist tried to force Johnnie
into a chair. "Madman' he painted.
man." he painted. II tell you our friends
have been betrayed; they are retreat
>
For the first time during their ac-
Quaintance Manin heard the good-na-
tured American curse: O'Reilly's blue
eyes were blazing: he had let go of him
self completely.
the damned Spaniards in Cuba won't
stop me. God. I've waited too long
1 should have made break
Idiot" stormed the druggist. You
wish to die eh?'
fought off the others restraining hands.
Very we'll, then" cried Manin but
have some thought of us who have
risked our lives for you. Suppose you
should escape? How would our troops
receive you now? Would they not think
you had cunningly arranged this trap"
A light of reason slowly reappeared
in the younger mans eyes.
"No," Manin pressed his advantage.
"You must wait until He broke off
abruptly and stepped behind his count
er. for man in the uniform of a Span
ish lieutenant had entered the store.
The newcomer walked directly to
O'Reilly. he was clean-cut, alert
young fellow. After a searching glance
around the place he spoke in a voice
audible to both men:
"Senor. you are in danger. Tonight,
at midnight. you will be arrested I beg
of you to see that there is nothing in
eliminating in your possession"
O'Reilly's face betrayed his amaze
ment. ARRESTED? What for? On what
charge"
The stranger shrugged. 81 don't know
That newspaper man will be arrested
at the same moment. so you had better
warn him. But be careful where and
how you do So for all his movements
are watched, all his words are over
heard"
why do you tell me this-you? Is
1t some scheme toto incriminate me?''
OReilly inquired.
Manin was leaning over the counter
his face drawn with anxiety. his lips
framing the same question.
mo-" The lieutenant shook his head.
II am a friend-a Cuban. in spite of this
uniform. If you repeat my words | shall
be shot within the hour l implore
you"-his voice became more urgent
Ito heed my warning. l don't know
what you had to do with this skirmish
out San Rafael street. but a short time
ago message came from the fortuna
that insurrectos were in the woods
close by. ! hope it will not prove to
be bloody encounter. And now re-
membef-midnight." He bowed, turned
to the door. and was gone.
Manin heaved sigh OF relief Gar
amba. He gave me fright; thought
my time had come. But what did tell
you, eh?"
THAT fellow is Cuban spyv
mo doubt. We have many friends
We'll! You see what would have hap
pened IL you had tried to go. Now then.
you must prepare yourself for the worst. -
Perhaps half hour later O'Reilly
saw the cavalry squadron returning to
it's barracks. The men were laughing;
they were shouting brief, boastful ac-
counts of their encounter to the people
on the sidewalks. Two of them were
sick and white; they lurched in their
saddles and were supported by their