The Mena weekly star., 1918-12-19
CHAPTER x.


| openly that the secret service agent
detailed to watch him relaxed his vigil
lance. Manifestly this O'Reilly was
a harmless person. But the spy did
not guess how frantic Johnnie was be-
coming at the delay, how he inwardly
ehafed and fretted when two weeks
had rolled by and still no signal had
come Then, too, his money was run
ming low.
At last, however, the day arrived
when the man with the gray necktie
raised his hat and wiped his brow as
he passed the Isla de Cuba. Johnnie
could scarcely hold himself In his
chair. By and by he rose. stretching
himself, and sauntered after the fell
low. For several blocks he kept him
In sight, but without receiving any
further sign.
Without glance over his shoulder
the man turned into large, walled In
closure. When Johnnie followed he
found himself In one Of the old Gene
teries. Ahead of him, up a shady ave-
nue. bordered with trees, the stranger
hurried; then he swerved to his left,
and when O'Reiily came to the point
where he had disappeared there was
nobody In sight. Apprehending that
he had made some mistake in the sig
nal, O'Reilly FASTENED down the walk.
Then at last, to his great relief, he
heard a sibilant:
"Psst Psst!"
1t came from behind a screen of
shrubbery. and there he found the Gu
ban waiting. The latter began rap
idly:
"Our plans are complete. Listen
closely. One week from today, at ten
o'clock in the morning, you must be
in Annin's drug store. Directly across
the street you will see two negroes
with three horses. AT fifteen minutes
past ten walk out San Rafael street to
the edge of the city, where the hos
pital stands. The negroes viii follow
you. There is a fort near by"
/ 81 know"
at commands the road. You will be
challenged ii you pass 1t, so turn In
| at the hospital. But do not enter the
gates, for the negroes will overtake
You at that point. They will stop to
adjust the saron of the lead horse
That will be your signal; mount him
and ride fast. Now, adios and good
luck"
With smile and quick grip of the
hand the messenger walked swiftly
away. O'Reilly returned to his hotel.
At lasti One week, and this numb
Inc. hesrtbreak!nR delay would end:
ne would be free TO take up his qu1gt.
But those seven days were more than
week; they were seven eternities.
The hours were like lead; O'Reilly
could compose his mind to nothing; he
was in a fever of impotence.
The day of days dawned at last, and
Johnnie was early at Manin's soda
fountain, drinking insipid beverages
and anxiously watching the street. In
due time the negroes appeared, their
straw sarons laden with produce which
they innocently disposed of. O'Reilly
began to consult his watch with such
frequency that the druggist joked him.
Manin's banter was interrupted by a
bugle call. Down the street came per-
haps two hundred mounted troops.
They wheeled into San Rafael street
at a gallop and disappeared in the d.
rection of the suburbs.
snow, what does that mean?" MUIR
INJURED the druggist. "Wait here while
go to the roof, where can see some
thing"
0'Reilly tried to compose himself,
meanwhile becoming aware of grow
ing excitement in the street Then
from the direction of the fort at the
end of San Rafael street sounded
faint rattling fusillade, more bugle
calls. and finally the thin, distant
shouting of men.
"Rebelsw someone cried.
'Dios milo, they are attacking the
city,"
"They have audacity, eh?"
The roofs were black with people
now. Manin came hurrying down into
the store.
Something has gone wrong" he
WntCpSttus 1lltg nc uul yum
der in the woods. There has been
some treachery."
sit is ten-ffteen." said OReilly. 81
must be going.''
Manin stared at him. you don't
understand
"Those black fellows gre getting
their horses ready. I'm going"
The druggist tried to force Johnnie
into a chair. "Madman !" he painted.
II tell you our friends have been be-
trayed; they are reTeating. Go back
to your hotel quickly"
For the first time during their ac-
quaintance MANN heard the good
natured American curse; O'Reilly's
blue eyes were blazing; he had let so
of himself completely.
I'm goingl" he cried, hoarsely. "All
the id Spaniards In Cuba won't
stop me. Lord i've waited too long
I should have made a break"
"Idiot" stormed the druggist. you
wish to die, chr
O'Reilly ripped out another oath
and fought off the others restraining
hands.
Every well. then" cried Manin, "but
have some thought of us who have
risked our lives for you. Suppose you
should escape? How would our troops