The Argosy, August 1905 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

he eedahoriet Mexico was Pon, a coward at heart, and there was some- hing in the expression written on the disfigured face before him which para- ] all volition. His visitor under- stood, and a horrible smile distorted his lips. * You will be seated, for I would not keep you standing during our inter- view,” said he quietly. Santa Anna partially recovered him- self, “ How dare you? ” he began in a fierce voice. “ What is the meaning of this outrage, sir? I have but to raise my voice, and 2 The words died in his throat and he shuddered, for he found himself gazing into the muzzle of a pistol. “You ean ery out, but you will not do so, for those who ‘might answer that call would find only your dead body,” said the other in a cold voiee- With his left hand he motioned toyard an empty chair. Santa Anna sank into it. His legs were trembling and a cold perspiration eovered his forehead. “Would you murder me—the savior of Mexico?” he stammered in a fright- ened voice. The other laughed. The appearance of his face as he did so, marked as it was by the two terrible red scars, was horrible to look upon. “That depends upon yourself. Do you know why I am here?” he asked in a hard voice. Santa Anna felt himself grow hot and cold by turns, but when the pistol was lowered he regained a little courage. “You have said it was to ask cer- tain questions. If I consent to an- swer——” * Which you will. Do you know who Tam?” interrupted the other in a calm voice. Santa Anna hesitated. “ At first I thought—for the light is poor—I thought—— In the name of all the saints in paradise, what———?” The other interrupted coldly. “Tt is evident that you are becoming bewildered. It is also possible you may have forgotten certain things no longer of moment to the man who is Raga ck pen. Se cari ae wy ee a. es + * rs ¥ 3 ‘ _ i e- » - the American’ invaders. One of these things was only a little incident—to you, sehor—but—it gave me this.” He touched with the tips of his fin- gers the two sears which, beginning near the center of his chin, extended upward to the bottom of his ears. A look of bewilderment came into Santa Anna’s face. “In the name of God! And what had I to do with such a thing? Do you think that I ar “Gave me the wounds which pro- duced these scars? We are coming to that presently. It is evident the little incident has escaped your memory. “ Perhaps you have even forgotten a certain Perote who kept an inn on the Acapuleo road. ‘Well, sefior, I am that Perote, and—I have sworn upon the cross to kill three men.” A look of terror came into Santa Anna’s face and a visible quiver passed through his body. * The inn on the Aeapulco road? As God is my witness, I do not understand what you are saying,” he stammered. Senor Perote’s lips twitched ner- vously. It seemed as though a terrific struggle was going on in his breast. “Jo not lie to me again, seior, as you did on that day, else I may forget that the man I have sworn to kill—the man who ealled himself Senor Urrea and tricked me into serving drugged wine to two cavalrymen—is the General Santa Anna, dictator of Mexico,” said he in an awful voice. , Santa Anna opened his mouth to reply, but his tongue seemed paralyzed. Senor Perote mastered himself by a powerful effort. “You remember,” said he coldly. “Tt was an easy matter to deceive a simple innkeeper whose heart was loyal to Mexico. I permitted you to drug the wine so the cavalrymen slept for hours, but when they awoke they demanded of me the papers which you had stolen, and they gave me this—because you had dis- appeared.” The dietator ‘of Mexico passed his tongue over his parched lips. “As God is my witness, I knew noth- ing of that, senor! Why should you blame me bpcaMine: ae tortured an Mi he cried eum 5 vs cs es Sec cae saat - > = eh, Kos — . © ~ y Bcomicbooke com