, 1922-10-27

CHAPTER II.


three had made a wide detour to the
east. steering by compass for the cross
roads beyond Star Pond
In a dense growth OF cedars, on a
little ridge tavsring wet land ouin-
tana halted to listen
sard and Sanchez. supposinE hnn
10 be at their heels. continued on,
pushing their way blindiy Ehrough
the cedarz swinging TO the hard
ridge in terror OF sink holes. But
their progress was very SLOW; and
they were stnl in sight. fighting a
painful path amid the e-vergreens.
when ouintala suddenly sGuAtted
close TO the moist earth behind a.
Juniper bush
Al first, except for the threshing
OF Sard and Sanchez through the
massed distractions ahead. there was
not a sound in the woods.
But. presently. came a soft. swift
rhythm like tho pace Of a forest crea-
ture In haste-a discreetiy hurrying
tread which was more than a series
OF light earth-shocks than sound
ouintana. kneeling on one knee.
lifted his pistol. He already felt the
slight vibration OF the ground on the
hard ridge. The cedars were moving
just beyond him now. He waited
until. through h parted foliage. a
a appeared.
The loud report Of his pistol struck
Snrd with the horror OF paralysis.
Sanchez faced about with one spring.
snariing, a weapon in either hand
In the terrible silence they could
hear something heavy Laundering
in the bushes, choking. moaning.
tnudding OF 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
ut something.
And when they drew closer they
saw Georgiades lying on his back
under a cedar, the Who'll front OF mis-
shirt from chest to belly a sopping
mess OF blood.
There seemed no need OF explana-
lion. Tile dead Greek lay there where
he had not been expected. and his
two pistols lay beside him where they
had fallen.
Sanchez looked s,eaIthiiy at ouin.
tana. who said softly:
'Bien sure. In his left side
pocket. I believe"
Sanchez laid a cooi hand on the
dead mans heart. then. satisfied.
rummaEsd until he found Georgiades'
share OF the loot.
sard. hurriedly displaying a pair OF
clean but shaky hands, made'the d.
vision
When the three men had silently
%pocketed what was allotted to each.
Guintana pushed crrlousiy at the dead
wen with the toe of his shoe.
Poster he remarked. IT had
place for security. a YER large dia-
mon in the pistol barrel. Now It is
within the interior Of this gentle
man. . :" He turned to Sanchez:
I sell him to you. One sapphire.
Yes!"
Sanchez shook his head with a
slight sneer. w wait-if you want
your diamond. mon c~apitaine."
Quintana hesitated. then made a
grlmace n shook his head.
"No." he said. The has swallow.
Let him digest. AlionsI March,
But arter they had gone on-two
hundred yards. perhaps-sanchez
stopped.
well" inquired ouintana. Then.
with a sheer: ct now recoilec' that
once you have been a butcher in Ma
drid. . Suit your tas'e, l'ami
Sanchez"
sard gazed az Sanchez OF sick
med eyes.
You keep away from me until
you've washed yourself" he burst
ont, revolted. Don't you come near
me TIL you're cieanr'
Quintana laughed and seated him
self. Sanchez. with a hang-dog glance
at him, turned and snealxed back on
he was out of sight Sard saw him
fish out a Spanish knife from his
hip pocket and unciasp Il.
anche mad no erort to find them.
They had been gone half an hour 5e-
fore he had finished business thai
hid 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 notse@a far. faint
sound such as he never before had
heard.
II It were a voice of any sort there
Eeo III aaA
Probably some sort OF unknown bird
Perhaps a bird of prey. :
That was natural. considering the at
traction that G~eorgiades would have
for such creatures. : : II Il were a
bird 1t must be a large one. he
thought Because there was a
certain volume 70 the cry Per-
hsps it was a beast after all . :
Some ,JnkpoUr bs-at ~ the foreat
Sanchez was suddenly afraid.
scarcely knowing what he was doing
he begaz. to run along h edge of
the bog
He was fired. or thought he was.
but h a1rming sounds were filling
his ears now; the entire forest seemed
fril Of them. echning in all directions.
coming in upon him from everywhere.
50 that he krsv not m which diree-
tion TO run.