Part 30 (1/2)

Gomez looked pained

”I must remind you, with some diffidence, that others have offered their help,” he said

”They offered it; they haven't paid up I expect you'll find they'll insist on knohen you oods That's my position; I stand fir, Ito take this matter to headquarters”

”Unfortunately, the President has gone to Villa Paz for a short rest I fear he would not like to be disturbed”

”He will see me; he has to,” Cliffe declared

”After all, it is possible, but I see a difficulty There is no inn at Villa Paz where the senorita could find accommodation and the President is, like myself, a bachelor He could receive you, but not the senorita

Our conventions are antiquated, but theymy hospitality”

Cliffe pondered for a few moments The conventions Gomez mentioned were justified, because women are not treated in his country as they are in the United States, and Cliffe could not leave Evelyn alone in the Valverde Hotel For all that, he h Go that he should go Goht he could be trusted so long as their interests did not clash

He looked up sharply, for there was a sudden stir in the town Cliffe was conscious of no definite sound, but he felt that the quietness had been broken and he saw that Go The one and given place to a look of fierce cruelty He had beconificant, as there was, so far, nothing to cause alarm

In a few moments a murmur broke out, and swelled while Gomez walked to the openThe streets were suddenly filled with the patter of hurrying feet, and the confused outcry beca like it when a h an Ahter was alone at the hotel

”What is it?” he asked

”A tumult,” Gomez answered ”I do not think it will be serious We have placed a guard about the hotel, so the senorita is safe But you will excuseroo by the , heard a telephone call After this, all sounds inside the house were drowned by the growing uproar outside Cliffe could see nothing of the riot, but he thought he could locate it in one of the dark gaps that pierced a block of houses soained in effect from theout and there was a wild shouting, but the note of fury had changed to alar, and he pictured the rew less frequent and receded At last they died away, and a group of ular order came out of the mouth of a street

They seemed to have a prisoner in theiron a shutter Then they all vanished into the gloo faint Go,” he said ”We had planned the arrest of a troublesome person called Castillo, who is a favorite with the mob There was some excitement, and a few stones were thrown, but only one atteuards As he was a man we suspected of sedition, this has saved us soht study a new species of anily plant

Go that the affair proves our strength,” he said gloatingly ”We have seized a popular leader of the discontented, and there was no detern”

Cliffe nodded agreeed the subject

”I have been thinking,” he said ”If you are resolved to see the President, Senora Herrero, wife of the _alcalde_, whom you have met, would take care of the senorita while you are away They are people of some importance, and she would be safe with theestion, and when Gomez accoed with Evelyn's consent

The nextCliffe set off with a relay of mules and three or four days later was received by the President at a little town a was said about business until he had rested and dined, and then he sat with his host on a veranda half hidden by bougainvillea, looking down on the dim littoral that ran back to the sea

President Altiera differed from his secretary He looked more of an autocratic soldier than a diplomatist There was a hint of brutality about hiuile Theface, and his eyes were stern, but he was rather reserved than truculent

”Senor,” he said, ”since I understand you were determined to see me, it is an honor to welcoine, however, that neither of us often wastes much time on cooing to headquarters when any difficulties arise It seeht s them”

”And you do not wish theested