Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/255

 reaches the hotel. Lights are visible, however, and a few raps upon the portals bring forth the landlord.

Carter receives back his Grand Army habiliments without comment, but his face is a study when Ashley broaches the idea of a feminine rig.

"By gum," he exclaims; "you're the funniest customer I've run up against in all my Cuban hotel business, and I have met some queer ones, too."

"My dear Carter," confides Ashley, "as a matter of fact, I am not altogether right in my head. I am seized at frequent periods with the most absurd notions. Fortunately, I always have money enough to gratify my freakish ideas."

"I am not so soft as I look," remarks Carter, dryly. "I'll see what I can do for you. How soon do you want the clothes?"

"As usual, at once. And while they are being hunted up I wish you would have my horse saddled, as I must take the road within the hour. It is getting along toward midnight. Where are the troopers—drunk or asleep?"

"Both, most of them," is the laconic response, as the boniface takes himself off to consult with his wife upon the subject of providing a costume for a slender young man about five feet in height, as Ashley describes the prospective wearer of the garments.

Landlord Carter has a daughter who rejoices in the possession of three dresses. This alone should constitute her the belle of Jibana. For a sum sufficient to double her wardrobe the young lady is induced to part with the best of her three outfits and a bargain is consummated.

Miss Carter is not at all pleased at being routed from her slumbers, but she is a rather pretty young woman, and after five minutes of Ashley's persuasive eloquence the landlord's daughter beams with good nature and laughingly inquires: "Do you want a complete costume?"

"To the last ribbon," declares Jack. "By Jove!" he adds, mentally, "if Carlos proposes to impersonate a