The Argosy, August 1905 — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The officer who accompanied Mazat- lan uttered an exclamation, but the guerrilla chief expressed no surprise. He fixed his eyes searchingly upon the figure which had so unexpectedly arisen before hint, Haddon advanced a step toward the men who might the next moment be- come his captors. * Pardon, sefiors,” said he in a stupid voice. “I fear I have been sleeping.” “So it would appear, but now that you are awake it may be possible for you to answer a few questions,” answered Mazatlan coldly. He turned and called sharply to the guard standing on the steps of the stone house. The soldier disappeared into the building and returned carrying a lighted candle in his hand. Mazatlan took the taper and held it so the light fell full upon Haddon’s face. The Ameriecan’s heart was beating rapidly. To any one in Chalco he would pass for a Mexican, or to any one who had not seen him closely under other circumstances. But the man who held the candle— the man he recognized by the disfig- uring scars—had scen him under other circumstances, a prisoner in the hands of Mexican cavalrymen and as an officer in the tent of General Taylor. While one might count a score the guerrilla leader held the candle on a level with the Virginian’s face. His own was in shadow and Haddon could not read its expression. Mazatlan lowered the light and re- turned it to the waiting guard. Haddon braced himself to hear the words which might solve the riddle over which he had pondered on the veranda of Santa Anna’s headquarters. Tf the order was given for his arrest, the man whom he had known as Sefior Perote would prove his true character beyond peradventure. Only—and even in that desperate moment the thought flashed through the lieutenant’s mind—he would not be able to warn General Taylor that the Mexican for whom he had vouched was a cunning spy. Mazatlan took no prisoners! The guerrilla leader turned to his a be, ¥ « * _ call al e e oz ~ * Have you ever seen this fine fellow before?” he asked calmly. The Mexican officer shook his head. “A company, enlisted from the mountain district south of the capital, reached Chaleo this morning, and he is evidently a mountaineer,” he ventured. “What are you doing here?” de- manded Mazatlan sharply. It was evident he accepted his com- panion’s suggestion. “<7 was wandering about the town. Our quarters are in a deserted stable, which is overcrowded. One place is as good to sleep in as another, sefior,” an- swered Haddon. Mazatlan shrugged his shoulders. *“ And that is the discipline we find throughout the army, Valeno. This fellow should receive a dozen lashes as a reminder that he belongs with his company, not here in the street,” he said harshly. Then, turning upon Haddon: *“Go back to your stable. The next time you may not get off so easily. Do you hear me?” The Virginian did not wait to hear the order repeated. But havmg disap- peared around the nearest corner, he halted abruptly in the shadow of a wall, at which point he could await the de- parture of the Mexicans, when Sergeant Bradley might rejoin him. That to follow the movements of Ma- zatlan was necessary he no longer be- lieved. Never doubting for an instant that he had been recognized, the subse- quent action of the guerrilla leader seemed conclusive proof of his true sen- timents. ‘The man was friendly to the Ameri- cans, else why had he liberated an American prisoner from the inn, visited the headquarters of General Taylor, and permitted one whom he knew to be a spy to roam at large through the army of ~ Santa Anna? Haddon was, however, still puzzled. Conclusive proof, so it seemed to him, had been given that Senor Perote was disloyal to Mexieo; but, on the other hand, this same Perote, as the guerrilla Mazatlan, had established a reputation which would searcely fit his sentiments of friendliness toward the northern in- vaders. te" Me ee TP “comicbooks.com