Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/276

 just a moment, senorita? That will complete my evening work, and then if a lifetime of devotion will"

"Stop! I shan't hear another word," breaks in Juanita, imperiously. "And you need not hurry back," she adds irritably, provoked by Ashley's serenity.

Meanwhile Ashley is telling himself that he must be progressing in his wooing, since Juanita has betrayed symptoms of jealousy. "Devotion? She little knows how much need she has of a clear head and strong arm," he thinks. "Ah, Capt. Guerra," he remarks, pausing before a distinguished-appearing gentleman who is idling by the staircase, "will you be good enough to follow me into the garden?"

Ashley passes out and Guerra follows him curiously. When they are alone and unobserved Ashley takes an envelope from his pocket and presses it into the captain's hand.

"Read that and then destroy it," he directs.

"Your meaning, senor?"

"No explanation is necessary. I am ignorant of the contents of the documents further than that their publicity would be deuced awkward for you and incidentally for myself."

"Wonderful! How came you by them?"

"That is my affair, senor. Had I not rescued them they would now be in the hands of Truenos. Adios!" And Jack leaves the mystified Spaniard to his own devices.

Meantime a little scene that would afford Ashley the keenest delight to witness is taking place in one of the rooms of the palace. Gen. Truenos is seated at a table littered with maps and papers and Gen. Murillo and Isabel Harding have just been ushered into the apartment.

"You have succeeded?" Truenos asks as Mrs. Harding approaches.

"Beyond expectation. Quesada may not be the head and front of the offenders, but he is certainly one in whom there has been placed some authority."

"Quesada is now a fugitive," asserts Truenos.