Evening star., 1924-11-03

twinkle. But since Diego cannot
come to me, why, 1 will go across to
him"
For a moment Don Esteban's face
was a mask OF pallid fear. Then
Blood was speaking in lowered,
confidential voice that admirably
blended suavity, impressiveness and
sly mockery.
IF you please, Don Miguel, but that
Is the very thing you must not do
the very thing Don Diego does not
wish you to do. You must not see
him until his Wounds are healed. That
is his own wish. That is the real rea-
son why he is not here. For the
truth is that his wounds are not so
grave as to have prevented his COM
ing. 1t was his consideration Of him.
self and the false position in which
you would be placed If you had direct
word from him Of what has happened.
AS your excellency has said, there is
peace between his Catholic majesty
and the King of England, and your
brother. Don Diego" He paused q
moment. Il am sure that / need say
no moro. What you hear from us is
no more Dan a mere rumor. Your
excellency understands"
His eXcellency frowned thought
fully. Il understandable part" said
he.
Capt. Blood had a moments uneasi-
ness. Did the Spaniard doubt his
bona fides2 Yet in dress and speech
he knew himself to be impeccably
Spanish, and was not Don Esteban
there to confirm him? He swept on
to afford further confirmation before
the admiral could say another word.
"And we have in the boat below two
chests containing fifty thousand pieces
of eight, which we are to deliver to
your excellency."
His cXcellency jumped. There was
4 sudden stir among his officers.
They are the ransom extracted by
Don Diego from the governor Of
mot another word, in the name of
Heaven" cried the admiral in alarm.
My brother wishes me to assume
charge Of this money, to carry it TO
spain for him? Well. that is fam
lily matter between my brother and
myself. So it. can be done. But 1
must not know - he broke on.
Hum. A glass OF Malaga in my
cabin, If you please" he invited them,
whilst the chests are being hauled
aboard"
He gave his orders touching the en-
barkation of these chests. then led
the way to his regally appointed
cabin. his four officers and the friaI
following by particular invitation.
Seated at table there. with the
tawny wine before them, and the
servant who had poured it with
drawn, Don Miguel laughed and
stroked his pointed, grizzled beard.
''Eirgen santisima! That brother of
mine has a mind that thinks of every
thing. Left to myself, I might have
committed a fine indiscretion by ven-
turing aboard his ship at such a mo-
mert. / might have seen things
which as admiral of Spain it would
be difficult for me to ignore"
Eoth Esteban and Blood made haste
to agree with him, and then Blood
raised his glass and drank to the
glory of Spain and the damnation of
the besotted James who occupied the
throne of England. The latter part
Of his toast was at least sincere.
The admiral laughed.
"Sir, sir, you need my brother here
to curb your imprudences. You
should remember that his Catholic
very good friends. That is not a
toast to propose in this cabin. But
since it has been proposed, and by
one who has such particular personal
cause to hate these English hounds,
why, we will honor it--but unof1i-
cially."
They laughed and drank the damna-
ton. of King James-quite unofii-
cially. but the more fervently on that
account. Then Don Esteban, uneasy
on the score of his father, and re-
membering that the agony Of Don
Diego was being. protracted with
every moment that they left him in
his dreadful position, rose and an
noi1nced that they must be returning.
MY father" he explained, lis in
haste to reach Santo Domingo. He de-
sired me to stay no longer than nec-
essary to embrace you. If you will
give us leave, then, sir uncle"
In the circumstances sir uncle" did
not insist.
AS they returned to the ships side
Blood's eyes anxiously scanned the
line of seamen leaning tover the bull
warks in idle talk with the Spaniards
IN the cockboat that waited at the
ladders foot But their manner
showed him that there was no ground
for his anxiety. The boats crew had
been wisely reticent.
The admiral took leave of them-of
Esteban affectionately, of Blood cere-
moniously.
"I regret to lose you so soon, Don
Pedro. wish that you could have
made g. longer visit to the Encarna-
cion."
(C,ont;p,e5 In Tor,orro,..., cx,,\