The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-11-06
CHAPTER XII.
A Dangerous Prisoner.

high hat with broad brim. Even at
that distance it could be seen that his
long hair was gray, and that a heavy
mustache, snow-White, made more no.
ticeable the thin features of his face.
He looked at the two men closely.
and his voice easily reached the ears
Of The listeners.
"Who posted you here?"
"Juan Cateras. senor," answered
one.
Not on my order. Dias is watching
above. Did the lieutenant give you
a reason?'
1.-THE prisoners, senor."
''The prisoners? Oh, yes those that
Lacy had confined here. Well, they
viii not be here for long. l do not
believe in prisoners, and because l dc
business with that dog is no reason
why he is privileged to use this place
to hold his victims. Where is Ca
teras?'
"In the valley, senior! He went back
down the passage with Silva after
posting us here"
"And the prisoners?"
Occupy the two inner cells. Nero
dez here says one of them is girl
"A girl!' the tall man laughed
THAT then will account for the un
usual interest of Juan Cateras, and
why he preferred being left in charge
A girl, hey, Merodez! You saw the
witch? What sort was she7"
IAN American, senior young, and
good to look at" the other man ex
planned. "Her eyes as blue as the
Skies"
'Caramba this is all pleasan,
enough. will pay my respects tt
the lady, and there is no time like
the present"
He turned away, thumbing hi
mustache, quite pleased with his con-
ceit, but one of the men stopped hin
with acquisition.
1--WE remain here, senor"
Eyes, you might as WE'LL" his lips
smiling, "and IL the Senior Catera.
passes, you can tell him that visi
the fair American. 1t will give hin
| JOY"
The girl drew Cavendish back hur
riedly, her mind working in flash Oh
inspiration.
Quick" she breathed in his ear
There is a niche where we can hide
| few yards back. If he follows thu
other wall he might pass, and no
notice"
But he goes to your cell; tits Pas
cual Mendez."
IT know, but come. He must no
| 70 there. l will tell you my plan.'
They were pressed back within thu
slight recess before the Mexican
turned the corner. and she had hastil!
breathed her desperate scheme.
1T ran be DONE" she insisted. ''ant
there is naught else possible. Give M
the revolver. Good! Be silent now
Mepdez came down the black pas
sage evidently I'm rare good humor
humming tune, with one hant
dressed upon the wall to better guido
| his movements. The girl stood erect
the revolver grirped in one hand, tn
| other pressing back her companion
into the recess She had lost all sens
of fear IN the determination to act
better risk all than surrender with
nnt a struggle. Mendez fumbled aloni
the wall, stumbled over some Sigh
protection and swore; another step
and bis cropping hand would toucl
her He never took the step, but wa
whirled against the side wall. witt
the cold barrel of a revolver pressed
against his cheek. A stern, sibilan
whisper held him motionless.
s1f you move / fire. senior; rails
your hands-quick
He responded mechanically, too pro
fonndlv astounded to dream of resist
ance. 1t was the sound OF the VOC
which impressed him.
Santa Maria! A woman?
eyes. senior, a woman; the same y0
sought. but have found you first.
He chuckled.
"A good jest surely; how came yo'
here?'
"Not to discuss that, senor. quietly
"Nor is this to be laughed over.
YOU would live, do as l say. Nj
/ Cavendish, see If the man bear
/ weapons"
"Only a belt with knife
keep the knife; it may come hand
for some purpose. Now bind hi
hands with the belt. Cross you
wrists, senor."
He had lost his temper, no longe
deeming this joke.
"You d--n vixen" he grOwled sa,
agely. "This play will soon be done
do YOU know who amp
sThe senior Pascual Aendez, bu
that means nothing" she answered
.srhis revolver will kill you as surel