Part 39 (2/2)

Grahame”

”No, senor,” said another ”I think he is safe, for a tiht prove too useful for them to shoot, at least, not until they have tried other hten or buy hiely; but the man waved his hand

”Senor, I only think we ree about the need for that”

”I'ri in lance Walthew did not look fit to travel, but Macallister knew that objections would be futile The boy had grown older and sterner in a night

The revolutionaries began to talk about what had better be done, and it was decided that Macallister e of the vessel, which he would hide in a creek, so as to provide a means of escape, if this should be needed The others would start for Rio Frio as soon as it was dark and, if they could gather a strong enough force, try to overtake and attack Graha this, they would follow the _rurales_ to Rio Frio, and be guided by circuot there Walthew took no part in the discussion, but when it was finished he got up and stood looking at the others sternly

”We are going to savethat may help you in your political schemes,” he said ”It may save trouble if you bear this in mind”

They assured him that Grahame's rescue was a matter of importance to them; and when, shortly afterward they left the shi+p, Waltheent to his berth and slept until the afternoon He was getting better, for it was not the cut but the jar on his skull that had dazed hi

When the evening oon a canoe came off and a half-breed stood up in her as she approached the gangway

”The senores are waiting,” he announced

Walthew shook hands with Macallister

”I'll either bring hirimly ”Your business is to be ready to take us off”

”Good luck to ye!” returned Macallister in a rather hoarse voice ”If ye're long aboot it, I'll coot into the canoe and vanished in the haze, Macallister went down to his engine-rooht as well have been left undone

CHAPTER XXVII

HANDS DOWN

Cliffe had spent some time at Villa Paz when President Altiera sent for his that Cliffe obeyed the suer and more difficult than he expected, and he was anxious about Evelyn Indeed, he wondered whether he should let the concessions go and return to the coast; but he deter the interview

It was getting hot when Altiera received hih the unshutteredCliffe, looking out over the little town, thought there was an ominous quiet An hour earlier he had watched a co, dusty soldiers, equipped as if for service, h the narrow streets; but there was now no one about It struck hireen shutters were closed and the entrances to the _patios_ barred Thison his business, but it was not of the first importance, and he turned to the President and studied hie in Altiera since their lastHis manner was somehow less cordial, and suspicion seemed to lurk in his dark eyes When he had indicated a chair he looked at Cliffe steadily

”You have, no doubt, thought over the an ”It is necessary that I should knoe may expect the loan”

”That, as I think you understand, depends on when I n the papers yet It would provoke a storht the people that I aners”

”In short, you mean to put down the rebels before you conclude the deal with ht There will be no complaints when I have shown that I have the upper hand”