The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-04-11
CHAPTER VII.
The Lieutenant Unmasked.

Where the craft could be bound; for
what secret purpose 1t was afioat; who
were aboard, were but so many unan-
swerable questions arising in my mind.
Where could Ii 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? / could think
Of nothing else. I determined to as
sure myself as to the identity of these
strangers. If they had actually landed
1t 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 cad l had nearly reached the
conclusj IN that the boat must have
rounded the point and gone on when
suddenly l was brought to a halt by a
voice speaking in Spanish-one Of
those ihrsh croaking voices never to
Re reduced to a whisper.
met the spot Manuel? OF course
1t is: do you not suppose / know? This
Is the place and now there is nothing
70 do but wait. The senor--he will be
here presently"
LAY, unless you misread the signal"
q somewhat more discreet but piping
voice replied doubtfully. 81 saw moth
ing Of all you tell about, Estada."
The two men went on to discuss
plans evidently communicated to Es-
tada by Sanchez from England. l was
about to creep nearer, when q new
m 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 noiselessig from the gloom.
I'VE await you.'
"Good. I rather questioned If you
caught my signal. / vas watched and
obliged to exercise care. How many
have you hereY
"Four, senior, with Manuel Estevan."
"Quite sufficient. How is 1t 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 q hawk.
We had some words aboard and there
~ hate between u.s."
MAY / ask your plans, senOr?"
Eyes, I 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 1t will be upward Of fifty
thousand pounds. This still remains
y his possession, but a part will be
dispersed tomorrow; so if We hope to
gain the whole we must do SO now
Everything IL ready, and there is not
the slightest suspicion Of danger-not
v a guard set yer the treasure
"Then II is ut the house?"
I'm 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 be
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. I am going to
leave that job to you-it's not your
1rSt."
sThe old sea orders. captainf"
sAy. that will be quicker and surer.'
rAs voice hardened to sudden ferocity,
-DUt, mark you, with one exception
- Rur8iShuan n nor 70 he killed. n