The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-11-20

noontide repose of the villa. A:
Bruce rose to his feet, triumphant
ly holding the huddled mass o.
pages he had rescued, one Of the
white clad, orange sashed serv.
ants appeared in the doorway
The natives opaque brown eyes
roamed from the disheyelled fig.
ure of the American to the dis
ordered desk and shattered char,
He was too well trained to ques-
ton or exclaim, but his express
sion assumed an austere disap-
proval. Beyond the servant APP
peared the quizical countenance OF
Milo Valdez, as that gentleman
reached the scene of battle.
"sWhat is it?" the latter
aueried. "a snak or a t%arantula?
Shall [ order d pistol OF d lemon
ade?"
Bruce shook his head in de-
precation Of the raillery. He was
painting and SO bewildered by an
episode all at variance with the
placid life of the villa that he
scarcely knew how to convey the
happening to Valdez's mind.
at was a man." he answered,
his tongue tripping as his hurry
ing thought FASTENED it. "He came
in here-he said Dom David had
sent him, for this" He thrust out
the handful of pages he had gath
cred with a confused idea of ex-
planation. "Looking over my
shoulder, he was, when | caught
him at it, trying to read my letter!
When he found | would not give it
to him, he tried to snatch it from
the desk and bolt. through
there!'' he motioned toward the
window dazedly. II got it-but
| could not stop him, he was off
through there
The smile had left Valdez's lips.
His soft eyes began to glisten as
he looked from the window to
Bruce's face.
What is it," he demanded
briefly.
sThe letter? Only a letter to
one of my people at home"
why did he want it,"
Il don't know. / can't under
stand. / think he made a mis-
take. He said Dom David had
sent him for it."
"A lie! / have just come from
Dom David. What did the man
look likes"
He knocked off my glasses,
and / was excited" deprecated
Bruce. "But he was tall and pale );
pale eyes, pale light colored hair
and Van Dyke beard. Sort of
bony, big-yet thin, you know the
kind
The glitter obliterated all the
softness in the dark field of Val
dez's eyes. He beekoned Brhce to
him, and drew aside the drapery
at the doorway.
did he look like that MANI"
he demanded.
Bruce followed the indicating
finger with his gaze and looked
across the lovely hall with its cen
trail fountain. Through the wide
doors beyond he could see a limou-
s:ne standing under the porte
cochere of the villa. 1t was a
handsome car, with two iveried
servants on the box. Inside, just
leaning back against the cushioned
seats and opening a little book,
was a man. Milo Valdez was pre-
pared. He seized Bruce's arm as
the American would have sprung
forward.
Hush! Hush!'' he cautioned.
But that is he! The man.,
rebelled Bruce excitedly. 1.-THE
impudence-Why-'
Yes. l thought so.'
He, he just ran around the cor
ncr of the house and jumped into
that CARP
Yes. He is verysclever."
But, let us go out; confront
him. He tried to steal from me. =
why should we go out9 He
will swear thathe never left his
car, and his two men will bear
him out in everything"
WHAT Why, + know him !
I'd know him anywhere
You would be one against
three said Valdez. ssHe is an in
fluential man and you are a
stranger, q foreigner. You have
no witnesses. Your word would
not be enough. Be patient; he
got nothing by his risk, and he
has shown his hand to us. Ger.
tainly, he is a furiously angry be-
meath that calmness you see
You mean to let him GOT, in.
OF course!!n
Because my word isnt