The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-02
Continued
CHAPTER II.

the east, steering by compass for
the crossroads beyond Star Pond.
In a dense growth of cedars. on 4
little ridge traversIng wet land, Quin-
tana halted to listen.
Sard and Sanchez, supposing him
to De at their heels, continued on,
pushing their way blindly through
the cedars. cIinging to the hard ridge
in terror OF sink-holes. But their
progress was very slow; and they
were still in sight, fighting a painful
path amid the evergreens, when Quiu-
tana suddenly squatted close to the
moist earth behind a juniper bush.
At first, except for the thrashing
of Sard and Sanchez through the
massed distractions ahead, there was
not a sound in the woods.
But, presently, came soft, swift
rhythm like the pace of a forest crea-
ture IN haste-a discreetly hurrying
tread which was more a series OF
light earth-shocks than sound.
Quintana, kneeling on one knee,
lifted his pistol He already felt the
slight vibration Of the ground on the
hard ridge. The cedars We're moving
Just beyond him now. He waited
until, through the parted foliage, 4
face appeared.
The loud report OF his pistol struck
Sard with the horror Of paralysis.
Sanchez faced about with one spring,
snarling, a weapon in either hand.
In the terrible silence they could
hear something heavy foundering IN
h. Oh
ding on the ground.
Sanchez began to creep back; Sard,
more dead than alive, crawled at his
heels. Presently they saw Quintana,
waist deep in juniper. looking down
at something.
And when they drew closer they
saw Georgiades lying on his back
under a cedar. the whole front Of his
shirt from chest TO belly a sopping
mess OF blood.
There seemed no need of explana-
ton. The dead Greek lay there
where he had not been expected. and
HIS two pistols lay beside him where
they had fallen.
Sanchez looked stealthuy at Quin-
tans, who said softly:
pocket, believe"
Sanchez laid a cool hand on the
dead mans heart; then. satisfied. rum
mayed until ne found Georgiades
share Of the loot.
Sard, hurriedly displaying a pair Of
clean but shaky hands, made the di-
vision.
When the three men had silently
posKeted what was allotted to each.
Quintana pushed curlously at the dead
man with the toe Of his shoe.
'Peste"' ne remarked. Il had
place, for security, a YER large dia-
mon in my pistol barrel. Now It IS
within the interior Of this gentleman.
=" He turned to Sanchez: 4
sell him to you. One sapphire. Yes?"
Sanchez shook his head with
slight sheer: I'VE wait-lf you want
your diamond. mon capitaine."
Quintana hesitated. then made a
grimace and shook his head.
No" he said. "he has swallow.
Let him digest. Allons! March"
But after they had gone on-20o
Yards. perhaps-Sanchez stopped.
"Weu?" inquired Quintana- Then,
with a sneer: Il now recolec' that
once you have been a butcher in
Madrid Suit your tas'e,
Iami Sanchez"
Sard gazed at Sanchez out Of sick
,Eed eyes.
You keep away from me until
vou've washed yourself" he burst out,
revolted. Don't you come near me
,iIl you're clean"'
Quintana laughed and seated himself
Sanchez, with a hang-dog glance at
MIN, turned and sneaked back on the
rail they had traversed. Before he
was out Of sight Sard saw him fish
out a Spanish knife from his hip peck
u and uncIasp II.
Sanchez made no effort to find them.
They had been gone half an hour
before he had finished the business
hat had turned him back.
As he stood there. examining his
clothing. and washing what he could
Of the ominous stains from sleeve and
shoe. very far away to the north he
heard a curious nOise--a far, faint
sound such as he never before had
heard.
II It were a voice Of any sort there
was nothing human about it.
Probably some sort Of unknown bird.
Perhaps a bird Of prey.
That was natural, consider
ing the attraction that GeOrgiades
would have for such creatures.
II II were a bird it must be a large
one. he thought. Because
there was a certain volume TO the
cry. Perhaps it was beast,
after all Some unknown
beast Of the forest.
Sanchez was suddenly afraid. Scarce
Iy knowing what he was doing he be
gan to run along the edge Of the bog.
He was tired, or thought he was.
but the alarming sounds were filling
his ears now: the entire forest seemed
fun OF them. echoing in all directions,
coming in upon him from everywhere,
so that he knew not in which direction
TO run.
The next instant he fell headlong
over a ledge. struck water, felt him
self whirled around in the icy. rush
ing current, rolled over. tumbled
through rapids, blinded, deafened,
choked swept helplessly in a vast
Green wall Of water toward something
That hundred in his brain an instant,
then dashed II into roaring chaos.
Half a mile down the turbulent out
iet OF Star POnd-where a great sheet
r -,-,for. noun &bfrfr- foos