The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-07-04
CHAPTER VII.
The Man Who Would Know Life.


Later that day O'ReiIIy set out to
recOnnoiter the city of Neuvitas. He
was followed, of course-he had ex-
pected as much, and the circumstances
amused rather than alarmed him. But
when he returned to his hotel and
found that his room had been visited
during his absence he felt a hint of
uneasiness. Evidently, as Doctor Al
yaradO had forecast, the authorities
were interested in him; and he had
further evidence of the fact when he
learned that the room next him was
occupied by the very man who had
Swallowed him on the street. Inasmuch
as the intervening wall was no more
than a thin partition. through which
his very breathing could be heard,
while his every movement could doubt
less be spied upon. O'Reilly saw the
need of caution.
During breakfast, and afterward
throughout an aimless morning STROLL
| O'ReiI1y felt watchfuI eyes upon him.
When he returned to his hotel he
found Mr.. Carbajal in the cafe con-
cOcting refrescos for some military Off
GERS, who scanned the American with
| bold, hostile glanceS. O'Reilly COM
planned to the proprietor of a tooth
ache. He declared that something had
| to be done at once, and inquired the
name and address of the best local
dentist.
Mr.. Carbajal named several, among
them DR.. Tomas AIvarado, whereupon
! his guest hurried away, followed at
respectful distance by the secret
agent.
Finding Doctor AlvaradO'S office was
closed, as he had anticipated, O'Reilly
proceeded 20 the doctors residence.
There was some delay when he rang
the bell, but eventually the dentist
himself appeared. O'ReiIiy recognized
him from his resemblance to his
brother. He addressed him in English.
81 come from Felipe" he began. ''He
well remembers the day you whipped
him to keep him from going to the
Ten Years war"
The Ianguor of Doctor AlYarado's
siesta vanished. He started, his eyes
widened.
"Who are your" he muttered.
"My name is O'Reilly. am an Amer
lean, a friend, so don't be alarmed
The man you see approaching is fol
lowing me, but he thinks have come
to you with n tOothache."
''What do you want?'
81 want your help in joining the in.
surrectOs."
By this time the detective had come
within earshot. Making an effort al
!
well. I will meet you at my Office in
half-hour and see what can be done
Then he bowed.
O'ReiIly raised his hat and turned
away.
Doctor AIvarado's dentists chail
faced a fuII-length window, one Of sew
eraI which, after the Cuban fashion
opened directly upon the sidewalk, rem
dering both the waiting room and thu
Office almost as public as the stree
itself. Every one of these window:
was wide open when Johnnie arrived
but it seemed that the dentist knew
what he was about, for when his pa
tent had taken his seat and he haC
begun an examination Of the trouble
some tooth, he said, under his breath
ST, too, am watched. Talk TO me IL
English. When press, thus, upoI
your gum, you will know that someon
Is passing. Now, then, what is tn
meaning Of your amazing messag
: from Felipe7''
. While Doctor Alvarado pretended E
treat a perfectly sound molar, Johnni
managed, despite frequent interrur
: fions. TO make known the reason an
, circumstances Of his presence.
/ "But there are no rebels aroun,
here" Alvarado told him. "You coul
escape to the country, perhaps, bu
what thel7 Where would you go
? How would they know who you are7
{ That's what / want to find out"
{ The Cuban pondere& ~Zo1U hay