The Argosy, Vol. 61, No. 4 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

084 cannot do anything further. The matter at once passes out of my hands—out of my jurisdiction. There is no person with power to give permission for you to visit a prisoner- except the governor, and, I am sorry to say, he is not in Choluteca. He left for a trip through the remote sections of the department, and nobody knows just where he is.’ ‘“When will he return?” I asked. " N othing short of a month, I am sure.’ “And what about Innors? How is his health now? When do vou think he will be shot?” “Next Monday.” Cold chills ran through me. I knew the man was lying. Yet what was there for me to do? My anger was stronger than my caution. ‘Let me tell you, setor alcalde,” | said, “that beyond the northern border | of Mexico there is a powerful country to’ ‘which Sefior Innors and I owe allegi- ance. If Innors is shot without an American being given the privilege of seeing him, a gun-boat will arrive and blow this miserable town of yours off the map.” The alcalde’s face went black with fury. Wakler’s was white with fear. ‘Have a care, séior, how you address me,” said the alcalde, rising. Already two persons are in prison for making that same threat.”’ ‘Two persons? ”’ ‘Yes; and two persons who are nearer the Americano Innors, and have more interest in his welfare than you have.” “You mean—’’ ‘“T mean his wife and daughter.” ‘Great Heaven! You have not placed those two delicate women in your filthy prison ?”’ 1te1s not a filthy Pusu. But they are there.” “ Senor,’ 1 said, “ through ine rascal- ity of some of my own countrymen, and some of yours, Iam aruined man. Other- wise I would purchase the liberty. of Innors and his wife and daughter.” “Vou think, then, that money would effect their release? ” “T am sure of it.” “Vou are wrong. The seforita already has it in her power to walk from the prison a free woman.” THE ARGOSY. ‘On what condition? ” “That she become the wife of Sefor Magnuz.” ‘She never will.” “Then your money, if you had any, would be useless.” “I thank you, ‘at least, for granting me the interview,” I said, holding my- self in by a tremendous effort. ‘ But let me repeat, it would be wise to postpone the execution of Innors until the gov- ernor returns.” ‘I have already told you I have no power. ‘The. governor himself gave the commands before he left.” Raging within like a wild animal, I bowed myself out. Without a word Wakler and I mount- ed our steeds and rode a short distance from the alcalde’s house. “Well,” said Wakler, ‘“‘ what are you going to do? Without money, with mountains and armed enemies between you and the consulate, where are you at? We two cannot storm the prison of Choluteca.”’ ‘By Heaven, Wakler,” I said, ‘I'll die trying. The governor gave the com- mand to have Innors shot. He’ll give me an order to set him free.”’ “How will you make him do that?” gasped Wakler. “With a pistol at his head. Let’s get something to eat.” Wakler’s face was still white as we hunted for a café. CHAPTER V. NEWS FROM THE INSIDE. THE café we finally chose was scarce- ly more inviting than others we had passed, but there seemed to be a touch about .it a little more Americanized than the others. We entered and picked out a table near a window. We were already being observed with curiosity, and almost every person who passed the place stopped a moment to look at the two Americanos eating. ~ _ It did not surprise me any to see_ among the other interested ones, a priest. There was nothing extraordinary about him, but his eyes seemed, as he gazed at me, to be trying to convey a message. He did not enter the café, but passed CO OO