Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-02

strangers. Ii 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 and I had nearly reached the
conclusion that the boat must have
rounded the point and gone on when
suddenly | was brought to a halt by
voice speaking in Spanish-one of
those harsh croaking voices never to
be reduced to whisper.
mot the spot Manuel? OF course
it is; do you not suppose know? This
is the place and now there is nothing
to do but wait. The senor-he will be
here presently"
"Ay, unless you misread the signal"
a 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. 1 was
about to creep nearer, when a new
conner moved past me scarcely 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.
eve await you"
Good. / rather questioned if you
caught my signal. 1 was watched and
obliged to exercise care. How many
have you here?"
-Four, senior, with Manuel Estevan."
"Quite sufficient. How is it 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 / ask your plans, senor?'
Yes, / 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 a part will 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 it is at 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 fight if 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. Ali
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. / am going to
leave that job to you-it's not your
first
"The old sea orders, captain?'
SAY, that will be quicker and surer."
The voice hardened to sudden ferocity.
''But, mark you, with one exception
the Englishman is not to be killed, if
he can be taken alive. 1 would deal
with him."
'"Then after that" Sanchez went on
deliberately, as though murder was of
small account, "you will follow me up
the bluff. Who are the others with
you?"
"Carl Anderson, Pedro Mendez and
Cochose."
swell chosen; Mendez is the least
valuable, and we will leave him with
the prisoner at the boat. The big ne
gro, Cochose, together with Manuel,
can attend to Travers and the two ne
gresses-they sleep below. That will
leave you and the Swede to get the
chest. No firearms if they can be
avoided. I have been over the house
and drawn a diagram. You can look
it over in the cabin of the sloop. The
stairs lead up from the front hall. u
will go with you to the door of Fair
fax's ROOM"
"And you, SenOr-the girl"
"What know you of any girl?"
''That there was one on the deck of
the sloop-an English beauty. It was
when you turned to greet her that
you gave me the signal. 1 merely
thought that perhaps"
''Then stop thinking" burst forth
Sanchez enraged. Thinking has moth.
ing to do with your work. If there
is a girl attend to her. Let that suf.
fee. dos! am chief here, or are
you? You have my orders; now obey
them and hold your tongue. Bring the
men up here
The little band of men emerged