The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-12-03
for the part and had all the appear
ance of the hunted fugitive.

ance Of the hunted fugitive.
In lurid terms he described the
death which had visited the brigand
camp, the flight OF his comrades
from the place as from a place ac-
cursed and their scattering back into
the town to the coast.
My lord, Don Q. is dead" said
Robledo, and round him lie a dozen
OF my comrades. The rest the
wind alone knows where they are.
! They are scattered: yes, like the dust
I OF the despoblados in summer"
But" said Senior Angreuz, of
what did they die?" Robledo gave
ar expressive gesture. "Quien sabe?
Who knows?" said he. And being
dead. does it matter how they died?"
We need not follow Robledo far
Their, suffice it that he played his part
cxcellently, as indeed was only to DO
expected as he had been decoy OF
Don Q.'s for more than twenty years
for he had come as boy into the
bvigand camp.
The next morning, the three men
started on their journey into the
sierra, for Angreuz expressed bis de-
sire to go.
You see, senor," said he to An
geolo. ut is our duty to see II all
things are as this man relates, we
can then inform the Government"
All day they journeyed upward.
Angreuz and Angelo upon mules,
willie Robledo marched beside them
with the tireless step Of the noun
taineer.
Black gorge after black gorge
closed up behind them. They left
the region Of the olive trees. they
left the ilexes and they passed
through the cork woods and then out
into the grim, savage open ravines
beyond. They slept In the open and
the next day once more pushed for
ward. and an hour after nightfall
entered the Boca de Lobo.
, Even Robledo experienced a sense
Of chill as he saw the great glen
dark and silent. No fire shone where
for many years q fire had burned.
All was still and silent as the grave.
AS they crossed the space below
the cave, the moon peeped out from
between the clouds, and lying round
the blaCkened fire, Robledo saw with
a start, the bodies Of his comrades.
Angreuz gave an exclamation.
Lead us to the cave" said he. So
Robledo led them upward to the ia
quite dark: no light burned and in
the blackness AngreuZ struck a
match. The match revealed the body
OF Don Q. lying beside an overturned
table, his legs were drawn up in the
position of one who had died in tho
extremity OF pain.
Angreuz's breath Kissed through
his teeth, and the match went out.
lie strove to light another. but his
fingers were shaking. and when at
length il flickered into a flame, the
body Of Don Q. was no longer upon
the ground, but instead a soft voice
was speaking:
Apply the match to that candle
about you, senor," 1t said. and then
come and tell me why you have seen
fit to pay me this charming visit
among tho mountains"
Angreuz sprang back, but Roble-
dos arms closed around him. From
the mouth Of the cave he could see
that the brigands, whose bodies had
lain in the moonlight around the
blackened fire, had risen to their feet
and were moving about the firs
which they had quickly kindled.
1t may be that the man realized
the trick which had been played
upon i'm, in all its monstrous posi-
bilitles. He turned. and once moro
surveyed the now illumined cave.
4 small table stood in the fore
ground, on which was a bottle Of
wine and single glass and beside It a
single chair.
Assist the Senior Angreuz to that
chair. Robledo." said Don Q. Robledo
did so.
Nov, senior. beg that you will
drink n glass Of wine. 1t Is good
wine as you should know, for 1t II
your own"
Il am not thirsty" said Angreuz.
Then beg that you will have the
courtesy to pledge me-"
| 90 not WISH 10 drink.
II understand, senor," said Don O.
There Is no more need of words.
Look at that clock. II is almost
eight. Nine nights ago at half past,
young Englishman, a mere boy,
with all his life before him. drank a
glass from that bottle. He died,
scnor."
| The wind which had risen, blew
past the mouth Of the cave In a sud
den gust
"Ah. do you hear that, senor?"
1T Is the wind" gasped AngreuG
Don Q. shrugged his shoulders.
Either that or the soul OF the young
, man you murdered. calling for JUS
tice. and justice shall not long b
delayed. shall leave you here.
senior. with guards at the mouth Of
the cave. You will have time to re-
pCnt Of your crime. You. who would
have poisoned ME and my men al
men poison wolves in the despobla-
dos.
You have till dawn 70 ponder
upon your actions and to make what
peace YOU can with Heaven. There
Is a priest within call, senior, and.
" hen the time comes. one of your
guards will Immediately fetch him.
and I have no doubt he will do what
he can for you.
Good night, senior"