Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/203

 What you have proposed will be satisfactory. And the weapons?"

"Pistols, I suppose; I am provided with one."

"Hold on," puts in Ashley. "I have just the article. Excuse me a moment, gentlemen." Repairing to his room he extracts from his trunk two superb Smith & Wesson 38-caliber revolvers, and these he submits to Cardena and Navarro. Senor Cardena professes himself to be satisfied with the weapons and, with a perfunctory "Adios," he withdraws.

When he has gone Navarro tosses his arms impatiently and murmurs: "What a fool I am."

"All men are or have been at some period," Ashley assures him. "But what gives rise to your present self-accusation?"

"The thought that I permitted my temper to play the mischief with my judgment," is the gloomy reply. "A man has the right to risk his own life, but not the life, or what is dearer than life, of those whose interests he is intrusted with."

"See here," Ashley gently protests, "if there is any fighting to be done why not let me have the job? I began the row"

"And I finished it. No, my friend, this affair must go on to the bitter end. Although, as you rightly suspected, you were the ostensible object of the remarks of the party at the cafe, they were in reality directed toward me. It was inevitable that Capt. Huerta and I should cross, though I might have to-night avoided a meeting which would better be left to the future. May I request you to second me in the meeting?"

"Assuredly, Senor Navarro. That is your name, I judge?"

"Yes; Emilio Navarro—quite Spanish, you see," with a peculiar smile. "And your name?"

"Jack Ashley; residence, New York; occupation, newspaper man; paper, the Hemisphere; ever heard of it?"

"The newspaper is not a stranger to me. Pardon me a few minutes," says Navarro, and he occupies himself