Evening star., 1935-03-12
CHAPTER XXVI.
BARGAIN.

eral. 1t was true that he
loved money, but he loved reputa-
ton, equally. He got hold OF the
major and shook him by the shoulders
as schoolmaster might shake a
child.
Say the thing slowly. LOOK me
in the eye. II you are drunk again
and speaking like this, I'll have you
shot, major!
Alvarez had been drawn quite close
by the grip of the general, and now
he murmured: Out of the pocket OF
Rubriz, some goldwork and five big
emeralds-"
Five" muttered the general.
"Only five? But that's half. Mateo
Rubriz and five-five of the lost
Why, it's better this way! Tell me,
Alvarez! Did other eyes see those
emeralds?"
THE moment saw them my hand
was over them. Not three men could
have seen, and those three won't be-
lieve tomorrow what they saw to-
night"
alvarez, I've noted you down for
long time. A man Of brains A
man of action. with your hands and
not with your tongue!'
At that the tace OF Alvarez actually
puckered with delight. Its thinness
turned into breadth like the face OF
cat.
The thing was arranged quietly
Gen. Estrada sat in his own study
and Alvarez stood before him. Upon
the table Alvarez laid down the little
pouch Of heavy gold. He laid. also
the arc of metalWork which had five
points, with an emerald in each one
big, shining emerald.
You are going to be rewarded, Al
varez," said the general. II you
should become a colonel, suddenly
would it surprise you?'
Have I not heard a rumor about
your kindness. sir?" answered Al
varez. But also was noticing thai
there are five emeralds.'
"Five?" said the general. There
are 10-but only five in this damnec
broken fragment"
He felt that he was talking on 6
little too freely, No matter what Al
varez might guess, there was no use
confirming him in such plain words
So he broke off. scowling little
What 1 noticed" said Alvarez
sis that five makes an odd number
whereas 11-or four-is exactly even.'
The hint was very broad, but the
general could not see or understand
without too much pain. Therefore
he only looked wistfully at Maj. AL
varez, as though at figure far away
The wind had changed, clearing
the sky and letting the moon shine
through. The general now turned hi!
head and looked with a sigh a
the moon-brightened heavens. Th'
strength of his sigh parted the denS'
brush of his mustache and allowed hi
pouting lips to be seen, and the full
majesty Of that enormous chin.
"Five!" muttered the general.
Whereas four" said the major
gently persistent, would make an ex
actly even number"
With mis- strong fingers, slowly, th
general broke away an emerald from
its setting at the end of the arc. HI
dropped The jewel into the palm o
his hand. AS part of the crown i
had been beautiful, but seen oy itsel
its beauty increased strangely.
He closed his eyes and held ou
his hand.
Delicately as a bird could pick up {
grain, the cold finger tips Of the majol
removed the emerald from the ho
hand Of Estrada.
Well, there would be q chance, ont
day, to silence this mans tongue
forever.
"As a matter of fact" said the ma.
1or, looking down at the emerald
cit is easy to see that this is only
o paste imitation
"Ha?" cried Estrada.
II mean" said Alvarez, "a mar
with the proper sort Of an eye car
see that It is not the jewel that was
Estrada leaned hack in his chair
with a sigh.
II understand you," he said
Therefore, when I drop a word
here and there that what Rubriz had
was no part of the stolen treasure
that the poor fool for once had lost
his eye and merely picked up
glass
Very WELL" said the general
wearily.
And his glance followed the move
rnent with which Alvarez careleSsly
dropped the gem into a pocket.
ANY other orders, sir?" asked Al
varez
Yes, 60 down to the old dungeon
Pick out the wettest cell and-pre-
pare the place. I may have to be
doing little questioning before long
cir1-
brought 20 me at once"
Alvarez saluted decorously and with
drew at once. He did not need to be
told that full moon was striking on
the brightest day of his life. 1t was
an opportunity which would have to
be handled carefully, but he was GER
tain that he would be able 70 rise
to every occasion.
Great men cannot help hating those
who are useful to them: nevertheless
they also cannot help advancing them
Alvarez felt that the promotion was
already mis-. He walked away through
Fort Duraya with the bearing of one
who is above correction and close to
the command.
II the brain of Estrada was not
the most aStute in the world, it was
nevertheless extremely strong because
1t was extremely simple Ell Keed
must have the missing fragment e.
Keed 1t was who had walked through
that chosen guard at the postern and
made fools of the soldiery. The entire
maneuver was covered with his trade
mark Of brazen effrontery.
But Rubriz must have some meet
ing place appointed with his COM
rade. Somewhere they were 20 joir
together. instead of Rubriz. at that
meeting place the men of Gen. Estrada
would appear!
At their head would be Gen. Estrada
himself, and the general hoped with
all his heart that the meeting could