The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-11-12
who are your" demanded che

Al tllA, uguTe CIdQ IN the BAfD
OF a monk. stepped up to him,
letting the cowl slip back from his
face.
Don O." calculated the consul,
for the brigand's features were
we'll known throughout Spain, and
the counsel had in the past seen
him face to face on an occasion he
was never likely to forget. But
this is not the spot where you ar
ranged to meet me-"
No" replied Don O., NOR shall
We 90 there tonight. Senior, you
are my prisoner"
ION the contrary" said the con-
sui. IL am an envoy, who has come
into the mountains, as l had un-
derstood. under your own safe con-
duct. DO you mean to break
that"
1T has already been broken on
your side"
What do you mean"
THAT you have not acted the
part OF an honorable man. That
YOU know that the place where I
was to meet you Is surrounded by
half company OF soldiers"
Il know nothing OF It," said the
consul.
AS you wish. senior, but II you
know nothing Of this treachery,
you will no doubt have tho ransom
with YOU"
Certainly" replied the consul.
II said / would bring It, and I
have brought it. 1t is there upon
the mule"
Come" said Don O., I'VE will
go amongst those thickets on the
hillside and there arrange the
matter"
In a quarter of an hour, Don @.
had assured himself that the ran
som was in order.
"Senor," said he to the consul.
81 must lay before you my very
humble apologies and regrets. 1t
is very clear TO me that those who
are surrounding the tree with the
three nests, have nothing whatever
to do with you. / trust you will
forgive ME my unworthy suspi.
cions."
Il will forgive anything" said
the consul. when have Sir APP
ington Studeley safe"
, Don Q. gave q peculiar whistle
and a few minutes later, two hg-
ures doomed up in the moonlight.
Here Is Sir Arlington Stude-
ley" said he.
Sir Arlington laughed - he
shook hands with the consul.
Il fear l have been a consider
able load upon your mind Just
lately" said he.
Yes" said the consul, you
have"
But you. in your turn" added
Studeley. have given me some
bad half hours. for when I saw
the soldiers surrounding tho rem
dezvous-which I did with an ex-
cellent glass, which I was lent for
the purpose--I thought that you
were in the plot. In which case"
added Studeley thoughtfully and
half turning toward Don O., II
suppose that you would have pro-
ceeded to--ah-extremities!"
BE quite sure of that" said
Don Q. genially. And now,
] senores., l must bid you farewell
| am sure. Sir Arlington, that if
you meet any Of those journalists
who so malign ME in your English
papers. You will give them q more
adequate account OF my methods"
That night at 10 o'clock. 4
single figure led upward 4 mule
which carried panniers so heavy
that they groaned. and duly tied
the animal TO the tree with the
three nests above the village OF
Encierro. His actions were
watched by hundred eyes which
peered through the dim moonlight
from the bushes around. Only the
mule was fastened 10 the tree, tho
figure turned down the mountains.
Sportsmen who have done It say
that ii is exciting to sit over
goat which has been tied up to
decoy a tiger, but their excitement
could have been nothing to that of
Colonl Sueno and his second-in-
command as they waited through
the long night for Don Q.
At length a raven flew over. first
always OF birds to move. and pres
emily it was clear. dazzling, yellow
day.
Then Colonel Sueno walked over
TO the mule and opened the pan
niers. The sacks were still IN
them. In great excitement he slit
one open. 1t was full OF pebbles
gathered from the rivers bed.
One after another he did the same
TO all the sacks. and from each
fell out a cascade OF rounded
stones. Then at the bottom OF tho
pannier something white caught
his eye. and putting in his hand
he drew fort. letter, which wss,
strangely enough. addressed to
himself. He opened II.
MY dear colonel" It ran. 'T
trust that you have passed q
pleasant night, though the atr IN
our mountains is a little chilly .:
this time OF year and / should be
desolated II I were the means Of
causing so capable a soldier and 10
distinguished . man. any physical
discomfort. 1t may interest you to
know that my men have been
watching every detail Of the we'll
thought out and mastery disposi-