The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-02-02
CONTINUED from Page %

Buenaventura. listening TO the music
of the band, and. during the brief in
termissions. to the sound OF the waves
tapping the beach at the foot Of the
broad driveway.
"This," said John Stuart Webster, as
he said goodnight to Dolores in the
lobby, "is tie end Uf a perfect day."
1t wasn't for: at that precise mo
ment a servant@h handed him card,
and indicated a young man seated in
an adjacent Ionnglng-clfllr, at the
same time volunteering the sinforma-
ton that the visitor had been await
ing Senior Webster's return for the
past hour.
Webster glanced at the card and
strobe over to tile young man. 4 an
Mr.. Webster. sir" he announced
civilly in Spanish. land you are
Lieutenant Arredondo?'
The visitor rose. bowed low and in
dicated he was that gentleman. Il
have called, Mr.. Webster" he stated
in most excellent English. Tin the In.
terest of my friend and conrade,
Captain Benavides."
"!Ah, yes! The fresh little rooster
] ducked in the fountain this evening.
Well, what does the little squirt want
now? Another ducking?'
Arredondo flushed angrily but re-
membered the dignity of his mission
and controlled his temper. Captain
Henavides has asked me to express to
you the hope that you. being doubtless
a man of honor"
stop right there, Lieutenant. There
is no doubt about 1t. am man OF
honor, and unless you are anxious to
he ducked III the fountain, you will be
more careful In your choice Of words.
{ Now then: You are about to say that,
{ being a man Of honor"
You would accord my friend the
satisfaction which one gentleman
never fails to accord another"
"That lets me out, amigo" Webster
laughed. "Benavides isn't gentle
man. He's a cutthroat, numbering
little Observation-Disclosures. Do I'M
tlcrstand he wants me to fight a duel
with him?'
Lieutenant Arrcdondo could not
trust himself to speak, and so he
bowed profoundly.
VERY well, then. Lieutenant" Web.
ster agreed. "I'll fight him."
Tomorrow morning at five o'clock"
"Five minutes from now If you say
So"
captain Benavides will be grateful
for your willing spirit, at least" the
second replied bitterly. "Ysu realize.
of course. Mr.. Webster, that as the
challenged party. the choice of weap-
Ons rests with you"
"Certainly. I wouldn't have risked
a duel if the choice lay with the other
fellow. With your permission. my
dear sir. we'll fight with Mauser rifles
at n thousand yards, for the reason
that never knew a Greaser that could
;hit-the broad side of a brewery mt any
range over two hundred and fifty
yards" Webster chuckled fiendishly.
Lieutenant Arredondo bit his lips In
anger and vexation. II cannot agree
to such an extraordinary duel" he
complained. 1T is the custom In
Sobrante for gentlemen to fight with
rapiers."
"Oh, dry up. you sneakins muir
derer," Webster exploded. "rhere
isn't going to be any duel except. on
INV terms-so you might as well take
straight tip from headquarters and
stick to plain assassination, 3on and
Henavides have been sent out by your
superior to kill me-you got your
orders this very afternoon at the en-
trance to the government palace-and
I'm Just not going to be killed. Beat
1t, boy, while the going is good" He
pointed toward the hotel door. "Out,
Won blackguard!" he roared. "Vaya "
Lieutenant Arredondo rose and with
dignifed mlen started for the door.
Webster followed. and as his visitor
reached the portal, tremendous kick.
we'll placed. lifted him down to the
sidewalk. Shrieking curses. he fled
into the night; and John Stuart Web
ster. with satisfied feeling that
something accomplished had earned a
nights repose, retired to his room his
mauve silk pajamas, and slept the
sleep of a healthy, conscIencefree
man.
At about the same hour Neddy
Jerome. playing solitaire in the Engi-
necrs' club in Denver. was tire recip-
lent of a cablegram which read:
IF W. cables accepting reply re-
.jecting account job filed otherwise
beans spilled. Implicit obedience
spells victory.
"1enrietta."
Ncddy Jerome wiped his spectacles.
adjusted them on his nose and read
this amazing message once more.
"Jumped-up Jehosophat!" he muir
INJURED. "lf she hasn't followed that
madcap Webster clear to Buenavcn-
tuea. If size isn't out in earnest to
earn her fee I'm an orang-outang!
by thunder, rhat's a.. smart woman