Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/246

 "Well, it is not absolutely essential that you should accompany Alvarez, is it?"

"That was his wish. With the exception of Alvarez and myself and the four men who were to supplement our little party, the command knows nothing definite of the evening's work. Alvarez doesn't fraternize much with his followers."

"Why not send a man in your stead?"

"I am afraid it is too late to make any changes in the plans. Most of the men below are half-shot now."

Ashley takes a turn about the room and drops his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Barker," he says, "it was only this noon that you requested me to be serious for at least ten minutes on a stretch. I never was more serious than I am now, when I say to you, don't accompany Alvarez on his errand to-night."

"What the deuce are you so interested in the affair for all at once?" queries the detective.

"Well, remain here, and I will enlighten you."

At this moment the impatient shout, "Ho, Parker!" floats up from the hotel yard, and with the remark, "I'm off; see you later, Jack," Barker bounds from the room.

"Hang it! I ought to have told him at the outset how the land lay," mutters Ashley. "Now, I suppose I shall have to direct my undivided efforts to preventing his slaughter at the hands of Navarro's men."

Ashley slips off his coat and gets into the faded uniform of the landlord, dons the Grand Army hat and pulls it down over his eyes; examines his revolvers to make certain that they are in proper working order, and then, blowing out his lamp, seats himself by the open window, where he can command a view of the road.

Shortly after 9 o'clock he sees six forms cross the band of moonlight into the shadows beyond. He waits ten minutes and then glides softly down the stairway and out into the night.

Alvarez and his men leave the hotel afoot and instead of taking the railroad track, proceed down the highway. Alvarez rode over the ground during the afternoon and selected a point about a mile and a half below the village