Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-09-25

ling as to be uncomfortable. In Rosa's case merciful oblivion overlook her. She felt the world grow black, fall away; felt herself swing dizzily through space.
 O'Reilly looked upward inqulring, sharply, What's the matter?" He heard scuffing of feet above him, but received no answer. "Rosal What frightened you? Rosa!" There was a moment of sickening suspense, then he put his shoulder to the timbers he had displaced and, with a violent shove, succeeded in swinging them back into place. Laying hold of the rope, he be- gan to hoist himself upward. He had gone but little way, however, when without warning, his support gave way and he fell backward; the rope came pouring down upon him. Rosa p he called again in a voice thick from fright Followed an instant of silence; | then he fiattened himself against the l side of the well and the breath stuck in his throat.
 Into the dim circle of radiance above head was thrust-a head, pair of wide shoulders, and then two arms. The figure bent closer, and O'Reilly recognized the swarthy features of that man he had seen at the Matanzas rail- road station. There could be no doubt of it-it was Cobo.
 The men stared at each other silent ly, and of the two Cobo appeared to be the more intensely agitated. After a | moment his gaze fixed itself upon the opening into the treasure chamber and remained there. AS If to make entirely sure of what he had overheard, he stretched his body farther, supporting l 1t by his outflung arms, then moved | his head from side to side for bet ter view. He seemed to rock over the mouth of the well like huge, fat, black spider. He was the first to speak.
 Am 1 dreaming? Or-have you really discovered that treasurer" he queried.
 O'Reilly's upturned face was ghast- ly. He wet his lips. He managed to whisper Rosa's name.
 "The riches of the Varonas! What a fndW Cobo's teeth shone white in the grin of avarice. "Yes, I see nova cavern in the rock. We'll, we'll And you are the spirit of Sebastian, chained in the bowels of La Cumbre. Ha These are the ghosts" He began to chuckle. but the sound of his malevo- lent merriment was like the hiccough- | Ing of a drunken man.
 "Rosa What have you done" Cobo ran on unheeding: "It must be great treasure, indeed. from all ac- counts-the ransom of a dozen kings That's what Cueto said, The ransom of dozen kingsp Those were his very words"
 l. The fellow continued to sway him. self back and forth, peering as If his eyes were about to leave his head. For long moment or two he utterly disre- garded O'Reilly, but finally as he gained more self-control his gaze shift ed and his expression altered. He changed his weight to his left arm and with his right hand he drew his re- volver.
 "What are you doing?" O'Reilly cried. hoarsely.
 The colonel seemed vaguely sur prised at this question. Fool Do you expect me to share 1t with you?" he in- quired
 "Wait! There's enOugh-for all of us," O'RelIy feebly protested; then. as he heard the click of the cooked weapon: "Let me out. I'll pay you well--make you rich" In desperation he raised his shaking hand to dash out the candle, but even as he did so the colonel spoke, at the same time care fully lowering the revolver hammer.
 "You are right What am I thinking about? There must be no noise. Caramba A pretty business that would be. wouldn't 1t? With my men running up here to see what 1t was all about. No, no! No gunshots, no disturbance of any kind. You under stand what I mean, eh?" His face twisted into a grin as he tossed the revolver aside, then under took to detach stone from the crum- bling curb. "No noise!" he chuckled. "No noise whatever"
 O'Reilly, stupefied by the sudden ap- pcdAdHCe VI tiho hiouStfouS CTedtuTe, stunned by the certainty of a catas- trophe to Rosa, awoke to the fact that this man intended to brain him where he stood. In panic he cast his eyes about him, thinking to take shelter in the treasure-cave, but that retreat was closed to him, for he had wedged the wooden timbers together at the first alarm He was like a rat in nit lt- terly at the mercy of this maniac. And