The Ordway new era., 1922-05-05

boat left her side. Wondering ana us'
ouieted, we returned to the beach "
await her coming. Was II aDother pi.
rate? What possible errahu eou'"
bring a steamer to this remote uh'iS-
tied. all but forgotten little isiahu'
As the oarsmen drove the boat upon
the beach the man in the stern sprahg
arilely ashore. Dugald Shaw steppeu
forward. and the stranger approacheu'
dofling his helmet courteously.
.sYou are the American and English
party who landed here some weehs
ago from the Rufus SmithT
His English was easy and correct,
though spoken with pronounced
Spanish accent. His dark hlgh-iea-
tured face was the face of Spahiaru.
And his grace was the grace OIL
Spaniard, as he bowed sweepingly ana
handed Mr.. Shaw card.
"Senor Don Enrique Gonzales, saiu
Dugald, bowing In his stif-necked
fashion, II am happy TO see you. But
rs you represent his excellency Inc
president of the republic ct santa
Marina l suppose you come on busi-
ness, Senior Gonzalesf"
Precisely. l am enchanted that
YOU apprehend the fact without the
tiresomeness of explanations. For
business is cold, usually disagree
able affair, is it not so? That being
the case, let us get 1t over"
First do us the honor to be seated,
Senor Gonzales"
Comfortably bestowed in camp
chair in the shade, the Spaniard re
sumed:
My friend, this island belongs, as
of course you are aware, to the re-
public, of which have the honor to be
citizen. All rights and privileges,
such as harvesting the copra crop, are
strictly conserved by the republic. All
persons desiring such are required to
negotiate with the minister of state OF
the republic. And how much more,
when it is question of treasure-of
very large treasure, senorT
The Scotchman's face was dark.
Il had understood he replied,
without looking in the direction of
Miss Higglesby-Browne, who seemed
in the last few moments to have un-
dergone some mysterious shrinking
process, that negotiations in the
proper quarter had been undertaken
and brought to a successful conclusion
that in short we were here with the
express permission of the government
of Santa Marina"
This was challenge which Miss
Browne could not but meet.
Il had" she said hoarsely, II had
the assurance of IA person high in
the financial circles of the United
States, that through his-his influence
with the government of Santa Marina
1t would not be necessary-in short,
that he could fix the presldent-I en-
ploy his own term-for u considerable
sum, which (which my friend Miss
Harding gave him."
"And the name of this influential
personT' inquired the Santa Marinan,
suavely.
Hamilton II. Tubbs," croaked Miss
Browne.
Senior Gonzales smiled.
Il remember the name well, madam.
1t is that of the pretended holder of a
concession from our government, who
few years ago induced number of
American school teachers and clergy
men and other financially innocent
persons to invest In imaginary coffee
plantations. He had in some doubtful
fashion become possessed of a little
entirely worthless land, which formed
the basis of his transactions. His
frauds were discovered while he was
in our country, and he was obliged to
leave between two days, according to
your SO picturesque idiom. Needless
to say his application for permission
to visit Leeward island for any pur-
pose would instantly have been re-
fused, but as a matter of fact IT was
never made"
In benumbed silence we met the
blow. The riches that had seemed
within our grasp would never be ours.
We had no claim upon them for all
our toll and peril; no right even to be
here upon the island. Suddenly l be-
gan to laugh; faces wearing various
shades Of shocked surprise were
turned on me. Still 1 laughed.
Don't you see," cried, show rIdic-
ulous 1t all Is? All the time it is we
who have been pirates"
The Spaniard gave me smile made
brilliant by the CLEAN of smolderinp
black eyes and the shine of white
teeth.
Senorita, with all regret, 1 must
agree"
what's in name?" remarked Du-
gald Shaw, struggling. ave were
after other peoples property, anyway
am very sorry about it, Senior Con
zaies, but l would like to ask, If you
don't mind telling, how you happened
TO learn Of our being here, so long as
1t was not through the authentic
chahnelS. On general princiDles