Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-11-21
CHAPTER x.
O'ReiIly's Plans Fall.

iSudClO AlNdIduO, ~ nelly DenhVeQ 81
openly that the secret service agent
detailed to watch him relaxed his vigi.
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
chafed 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'Reilly 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 q sibilant:
"Pssti 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 Manin'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 will follow
you There is fort near by"
II know"
1T commands the road. You will be
challenged If you pass 1t, so turn In
Mt 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. OReilly returned to his hotel.
At last One week, and this numb
ing, heartbreaking delay would end;
he would be free to take up his quest.
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 fever of impatience.
The day of days dawned at last. and
johnnie was early at Manin's soda
fountain, drinking insipid beverages
and anxiousiy 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
bugle call. Down the street came per-
maps two hundred mounted troops.
They wheeled into San Rafael street |
at a gallop and disappeared In the d.
rection Of the suburbs.
Now, what does that meanY" mur.
INJURED the druggist. "Wait here while
go to the roof, where can see. some
thing"
O'Reilly tried to compose himself
meanwhile becoming aware Of a grow.
ing excitement in the street. Then
from the direction of the fort at the
end OF San Rafael street sounded a
faint rafting fusillade, more bu0Ie
calls, and finally the thin, distant
shouting Of men,
"Rebels!" someone cried
"Dios milo, they are attacking the
,ityw '"e
Iney have audacity, eh7"
The roofs were black with naonya
now. MANN came hurrying down into
The store. 'A'o
something has gone wrong" he
They're fighting out Won
Ter In the woods. There has baen
some treachery."
~ IL ten-fifteen,' said OReilly. II
must be going"
MANN stared at him. "You donv
NOSE black fellows are getting
nerr horses ready. I'm going"
Inc druggist tried to force Johnnie
u'o chair. "Madman !" he painted
teii you our friends have been be /,
layed; they are retreating. Go bach
your hotel quickly" .
TOT the first time during their ac- ..
uaintance MANN heard the GOOD
atured American curse; O'ReiIIv,s
,u YES, yves We're blazing; he had let 60
himself completely.
Il Q0fuD ~