Evening star., 1921-11-27

ness. l see that you realize your posi-
ton. You came to photograph den OF
wolves and it would appear that you
have fallen into it. You will be held to
ransom !.
low then. for l have nothing but my
pay and l could not raise two hundred
dollars to save my life :,
Don @. looked the young man in the
eyes and for some minutes stood BROOD
ing. Suddenly a light came into his
own.
"Then you must pay your ransom in
another fashion, said he. Tell me
how much gasoline have you? How far
'Three hundred kilometers."
rapid calculation. you can ransom
yourself by entering my Serviee for
week We will go a journey together.
you and 1, and at the end of it, II you
have pleased me, l will set you free. y
"And II not?"
You have escaped death once this
morning. senor," said Don @. II would
recommend you to let that suffice. You
must make your choice. A week In my
service, Or
A smile passed across the reckless
face of the aviator. He saluted.
AT your orders, senor," said he.
Now there is no necessity to describe
at any length Don as flight over TO
Africa. Before he started. however. he
took certain precautions and wrote a
telegram to the following effect:
"Commandant-Priso
"Please expect visit of royal COM
missioner for inspection of prisons. He
will arrive forthwith
This was sent down the mountains.
but how it was put on the wires who
can say? Don Q. had his own way OF
managing these things and his friends
MT
an the following day. after he had
" seen Robledo start. he donned
the uniform of "a Spanish colonel, but
before starting he had a further talk
with Lieut.. DaaL
Il wish to go to Melilla, the con-
vict prison"
"Yes," said the lieutenant. a..
"And must take you into my con-
fldence."
"Yes?"
"I am going to inspect the prison."
The lieutenant. who was now past
surprise, said yes" once more.
II am for the time being" con-
the chief government inspector OF
prisons It will be your duty to sup
bort me loyalty. am sure that can
trust you to do So"
FOR a week l am at your service
senor."
An hour later Don @. was looking
down upon both Spain and Africa and
the strip of violet sea between. To
describe his journey is unnecessary
and we will take up the thread OF
our story again when the machine
was circling over the walled city OF
Melilla.
The landing was made just outside
the gates, and in a few moments the
machine was surrounded by crowd
Don q. hailed a Spanish sergeant
Sergeant. said he, ~, am Col
Escapulco, royal commissioner for the
inspection Of prisons. My business
lies with the scommandant.,~ You will
place this machine in the shadow OF
the walls and set guard about 1t SO
that none Of these" and he indicated
the Arabs, ''can meddte with It. Keep
them off, sergeant; keep them OF.
The sergeant saluted.
"At your orders, senior colonel" said
he.
And now give me q guide to take
me to the commandant." ...--
The commandant. who was having
his siesta, was a surprised man when
the royal commissioner was an
nounced. but it WAS not many min
utes before he was shaking. hands
with his visitor -
you were warned of my coming,
1 believer" said Don @.
Eyes, senor colonel, but did not ex-
pect you until the arrival. of the ship
from Cadiz." ~.
ships are SLOW" said Don @. 81
came by air. Permit me to introduce
you to my pilot. Lieut.. Daal."
The fat commandant returned
Daaps salute, then turning to Don g
said: "I trust you will remain with
us q day or two, senior colonel"
"A thousand thanks, but It is i'm
possible. must leave for Ceuta to-
morrow early. The fact Of the matter
is-you must forgive my apparent
bluntness. my dear communicating
there is at present considerable talk
in Madrid to, the effect that, things
are not quite as they should be In
these African prisons of ours, and
have come here to lay these matters
at rest once and for all" ~ -
"Since my .. appointment three
1 Il. <5ov,