The Washington times., 1919-08-08

could not speak from emONloh.
Alas" he finally managed heart
brokenly. They are dead, your
beautiful daughteH, Leoncia. And
the two .Gringo Mofg1ns ara dead
with her. AS Ricl do, there. must
know, they died IN Inc heart Of the
Maya Mountain.
ut is the home of mystery he
continued. after giving due Time for
the substance of the first violent
outburst of Enrico's grief. Il was
with them when they died. Had
they followed my counsel they
would all have lived. But not even.
Leoncia would listen to the old
friend of Solanos. No, she must
listen to the two Gringos. After
incredible dangers l won my way
out through the heart OF the noun
tain, gazed down into the Valley of
Lost Souls, and returned into the
mountain to find them dying"
Here, pursued by an Indian man
servant, the white hound bounded
into the room, trembling and whin-
ing in excitement as with its nose
ii qUested the multitudinous scents
of the room that advertised his
mistress. Before he could follow
up to where the Queen hid behind
the screen, Torres caught him by
the neck and turned him over to a
couple of Indian housemen to hold.
Let the brute remain" said Tor
res. Il will tell you about him
afterward. But first look at this"
He pulled forth a handful of gems.
Il knocked on the doors of the dead,
and, behold. the Maya treasure is
mine. l am the richest man in
Panama, in all the Americas. I
shall be powerful"
But you were with my daughter
when she died" Enrico interrupted
to sob. Had she no word for me-"
Yes" Torres sobbed back, genu-
inely affected by the death scene Of
his fancy. She died with your name
on her lips. Her last words were
But with bullying eyes, he failed
to complete his sentence. for he was
watching Henry and Leoncia, in the
most natural casual manner in the
world stroll down the room, i'm
mersed in quiet conversation. Not
noticing Torres, they crossed over
to the window still deep in talk.
You were telling what her last
words were ," Enrico
prompted.
IL
; stammered. while he SPARED for
time in which to lie himself out OF
the scrape. II was confident that
they were as good as dead and
would never find their way to the
world again. And I thought to
soften the blow to you. Senior So
lano. by telling what I am conf
dent would be her last words were
she dying. Also. this man Francis.
whom you have elected to like, !
thought it better for you to believe
him dead than know him for the
Gringo eur he is"
More Lies.
Here the hound barked joyfully at
the screen. giving the two Indians
all they could do to hold him back.
But Torres, instead OF suspecting,
blundered ,On to his fate.
In the valley there is a silly,
weak, demented creature who pre-
tends to read the future by magic.
An altogether atrocious and blood
thirsty female is she. l am not
denying that in physical beauty she
is beautiful. For beautiful she is,
as csntipeds is beautiful You
see what has happened. She has
sent Henry and Leoncia out OF the
valley by some secret way, while
Francis has elected TO remain there
with her in sin-fOr sin il is, since
there exists in the valley no Cath
Ollie priest to make their relation
lawful. Oh. not that Francis is
infatuated with the terrible crea-
ture. But he is infatuated with a
paltry treasure the creature pos
SeSSeS
And this is the Gringo Francis
you nave welcomed into the bosom
OF your family. the Shiny snake OF
Il Gringo Francis who has even dar-
ed to sully the fair Leoncia by. cast
ing upon her the looks of lover.
Oh, / know Of what / speak. /
have seen
joyous outburst from the
hound drowned his voice. and he be-
held Francis and the Queen, as deep
IN conversation as the two who had
preceded them, walk down the
room. The Queen paused 10 caress
the hound, who stood so tall against
her that his fOrepaws, on her shout
ders. elevated his head above hers.
while Torres licked his sudden,y
dry lips and vainly cudgeIIed his
brains for some fresh lie with
which to eXtricate himself from the
impossible situation.
Enrico Solano was the first TO
break down in mirth. All his sons
Joined with him. while tears of
sheer delight weIIed out Of his
eyes.
Il could have married her nv
self" Torres sneered. malignan,y.
She begged me on her knees"
And now" said Francis. Il shan
save YOU all a dirty job by throw
ing him out"
But Henry. advancing swiftly,
asserted:
Il like dirty jobs equally. And
this is a dirty job particularly to
my liking"
Both the Morgans were about to
fall on Torras, when the Queen held
up her hand.
First" she said, "let him return
TO me. from there in his belt, the
dagger he stole from me"
All" said Enrico, when this had
been accomplished. Should he not |
also return to you. lovely lady. the |
gems he filched?"
Torres did not hesitate. Dipping |
into his pocket, he laid a handful |
OF the jewels on the table. Enrico |
glanced at the Queen, who merely |
nodded eXpectantIy
More" said Enrico.
And three more Of the beautiful |
uncut stones. Torres added TO the |
others on the table.
ITO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW