The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-05-03
By Fred Mclaughlin
Copyright by
The Bobbs- Merrill Co.
W. n. Z. Service

perf0rce. observe exceeding care.
He smiled. you have come from
the north-is II not SD, senorT
[ nodded, for the thing could not
be denied. was in the enemy's cOun-
try. and circumspection, therefore.
was a vital thing; yet | was Pablo
Madrelia, and so long as | remained
Madrella this country was my own.
| had. | knew, some hours lead over
the worthy cousin, with Pasqual-a
man of resource and courage-be
tween US.
From the city?" he continued
AYE. from the CITY,"
How far dc the lines OF the EN-
pire exrenG?"
ITO the east and north and west"
said 1. Il do not know, but south
ward they reach some miles this side
of Cueruavaca."
TO travel the roads, senor," said
Monsieur Evilface, lis q dangerous
thing these days, even for native"
1T is as native that have trav-
eled loaded burro, dragging
step, a bent back, and a beard all
gray with alkali-and walk through
the French lines as though they were
not Besides. Manuel. of the Hotel
Montezuma is my friend"
"Yer the wine of France" quOth
mine host, ''seethed thy palate, and
caused thee TO speak Ill OF Mexico.
Does such talh betir a patriOt?"
He had half risen, and passion
famed in his eyes. l slipped one
hand into my pocket, where lay the
gun of Madrella, and waited.
Il have stopped for food, senior.
and drink" said 1; land having sat
isfied my hunger and my thirst, de-
sire to pay you and be again upon
my way" | got slowly to my feet.
And your way. senior. is-wnere"
There was no attempf 10 disguise the
doubt or hostility in his voice
ITO the camp of General Juarez"
land thai is-where, senor?"
'.Tlatlaya." said L for so La Anita
had told me.
He laughed harshly. .'Tlatlaya 7" be
roared. thrusting the table forward
with great suddenness; but, antici.
pating just such d move, | had leaped
clear as the table slid across the
room and crashed against the wall
New he swung his great body. with
that peculiar gliding motion of
gOFilla-his dark face working, bis
breath kissing through heavy teeth
his hairy hands clutched al me he
overwhelmingly in
gesture. for he found my pistol point.
ing al his heart
Il cannon miss you" 1 said. for, as
a target, his bulk was serious handi.
cap for him believe me. senior a
gun is not an unaccusfomed thing In
my hand think. in fact. ! owe you
a bullet"
yet you will never pay that debt
senor"
why not?"
Because" said be, between you
and safety lie many miles of hostile
country, and men will spring up, like
spirits out Of the earth, across your
path. The Empire will know you no
more. You are French. senior; II is
evident, despite the smooth perfection
of the Spanish you use and the arts
try of your disguise. Six soldiers OF
BenitO Juarez will stand you up
against a wall"
He laughed freely. loudly; and In
the noise OF that laugh the Chinaman
approached swiftly and Ieaped upon
me from behind He struck my elbow
and the gun ciattered TO the floor
Then the giant Mexican swung a mus
GUAR arm. tried in vain TO dodge
the force OF that pile-driyer blow
There was an earth-shaking jar. a
brilliant constellation of vari-cOlOred
lights before my eyes, and q taste OF
sulphur In my mouth. The huge fig
ure that lowered menacingly over me
faded away in a crimson haze. the
haze melted slowly to darkness, and
| fell-and fell
When ! awoke the Chinaman was
standing over me- an empty bucket
in his hand and a look of anxiety
on MS y6ilbW IdSc.
Mine host laughed Search him.
Tai Sing. and see Ii ne has another
gun-or q knife"
The oriental's def fingers went
over me swiftly, finding only wallet.
from which the Mexican drew sheaf
of bills Money" he said gaily. two
hundred pesos and over; a deal. even
In the state of Morelos"
He transferred the bills TO his own
pocket You will have no further
use for them. for. before the day is
gone, your body" he slid sug
gestive finger across his thick neck.
s'Tai Sing will carve man as read
lily as be does a helpless chiva; and
the spy, senior"
While lifted myself painfully TO
my feet he held the gun upon me
You were misinformed senior. about
Benifo JuareZ; you would have sought
him ar Tlatlaya. while. in fact, he Is
encamped even now ar Puente de Ixr-
la. scarce fen miles from here. Had
you rome TO see him in the name of
the Republic you would have known
that Perhaps, senior. you will tell
me, now that your race is run, Just
who you are"
Now my head was clearing frcm
the terrible blow thar be had given
me. and my brain was beginning to
function again II am Msdrella.-
said |. Pablo MadreIla-and my ousi.
take upon yourself the responsibility
OF halting me you will doubtless hear
from him; and bis hand. as you must
know, is heavy. bring him news of
grave portent"