Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/238

 "Badly; I shouldn't wonder if he had a presentiment that some sort of disaster was impending."

"And Miss Hathaway?"

"Superb as ever. There is apparently a tender regard existing between her and Van Zandt."

"Strange, strange are the workings of fate," philosophizes Barker, and with a sly grin he adds: "How are your studies in statuary progressing, Jack?"

"Suspended for the present, most sympathetic Barker. Just now I am interested in a study of the life."

"Ah; some dark-eyed Cuban senorita?"

"The most beautiful woman in the world," is Ashley's enthusiastic tribute.

Barker laughs good-humoredly, then suddenly exclaims: "Hello! There's the trumpet call. I must be off. By the way, I've changed my name to Parker."

"Parker! Why don't you get a name to match your clothes?"

"Go to thunder!" retorts the detective. "So long. I'll see you at Santiago." Barker plunges into the woods beside the road and returns to the hotel by a circuitous route.

"You'll see me again before you reach Santiago," soliloquizes Ashley, gazing after his friend's retreating form. "If Navarro is in these mountains I'll search him out, and we'll have a hand in the game at Jibana to-night that will remind Capt. Alvarez of a certain little straight flush he ran up against once upon a time. And if Navarro is not to be found, then, by George, I'll play the hand alone!"