Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-06-11
CHAPTER VII.
The Lieutenant unmasked.

Where the craft could be bound; for
what secret purpose it was afloat; who
were aboard, were but so many unan-
swerable questions arising in my mind
Where could 1t have come from, unless
from that strange Dutch bark? If
1t really came from the Namur of Rot
terdam had it been sent in answer to
some signal by Sanchez? 1 could think
of nothing else. 1 determined to as
sure myself as TO the identity of these
strangers. If they had actually landed
ii would require only a few moments
to ascertain the truth. The distance
proved somewhat greater than antici-
pated, because of the deep curve in the
shore and / had nearly reached the
conclusion that the boat must have
rounded the point and gone on when
suddenly was brought to halt by a
voice speaking in Spanish-one of
those harsh croaking voices never to
be reduced to a whisper.
Not the spot Manuel7 OF course
1T is; do you not suppose know? This
is the place and now there is nothing
TO do but wait. The senor-he win be
here presently"
SAY, unless you misread the signal"
somewhat more discreet but piping
voice replied doubtfully. 81 saw moth
tng of all you tell about, Estada."
The two men went on to discuss
plans evidently communicated to Es-
tada by Sanchez from England. / was
about to creep nearer, when a new
conner moved past me scarcely a yard
distant, along the narrow strip of
sand. Directly opposite my covert he
paused.
"Estada." He spoke the name eau
tiously.
"Ay, captain" and another figure
emerged noiselessly from the gloom.
1--WE await you"
"Good. / rather questioned IL you
caught my signal. was watched and
obliged to exercise care. How many
have you here?'
-Four, senior with Manuel Estevan."
"QuIte sufficient. How is Il here?
Are there suspicions?"
"None, senior. We have cruised out
side most of the time. There is no
warships In these waters. You said
you were being watched on the sloop
Are you known?"
"a dog of a servant who came over
with us-one of Monmouth's brood.
The fellow watches me like a hawk.
We had some words aboard and there
is hate between u.s."
MAY l ask your plans, senor?"
"Yes, 1 am here to explain. This
planter, Fairfax, has returned from
England with a large sum. 1t is in
gold and notes. 1t represents the pro-
ceeds of the tobacco crop of himself
and a number of his neighbors. With
out doubt it will be upward OF fifty
thousand pounds. This still remains
in his possession. but part viii be
dispersed tomorrow; so If We hope to
gain the whole we must do so now.
Everything is ready. and there is not
the slightest suspicion of danger-not
even a guard set over the treasure"
Then 1t is at the house?"
''In an iron-bound chest, in the room
assigned to Fairfax for the night
Only two servants sleep In the main
house, the cook and a maid, both
women. Fairfax is vigorous and will
put up a fight II he has any chance
He must be taken care OF before he
does have any. Travers is an old man.
to be knocked out with a blow. All
we have to fear are those fellows on
the sloop, and they will have to be at
tended to quietly without any alarm
reaching the house. 1 am going to
leave that job to you-it's not your
first"
'The old sea orders, captainT'
GAY, that viii be quicker and surer"
The voice hardened to sudden ferocity.
seBut. mark you. with one exception
the Englishman is not TO be killed, If
he can be taken alive. would deal
with him."
'sThen after that" Sanchez went on
deliberately, as though murder was of
small account. "you viii follow me up
the bluff. Who are the others with
your
carl Anderson. Pedro Mendez and
Cochose"
Well chosen; Mendez Is the least
valuable. and we viii leave HIN with
che prisoner at the boat The big ne
gro Coebose. together with Manuel.
can attend to Traters an5 the two me-
cr-sseS-they @lerp below Tint vii
iea-e roe ard sue Ssss,le f. .et the