Page 84 (1/1)

"Where the devil have you been?" the latter inquired, anxiously

"Been getting out my weekly joke about the revolution Had to write up this 's 'battle' Couldn't work in my room, so I-- "

"Sit down; and don't ju to be pinched at ht?"

"I don't know, unless that's the fashionable hour for uess they don't like us Have you got anything incri, except my citizen's papers and--a letter of introduction to General Maximo Gomez"

O'Reilly suddenly lost what appetite re EXCEPT a letter to General Gomez!" he cried "Good Lord, Branch! Were you ever shot at sunrise?"

The reporter coughed dismally "N-no! It's too damp I suppose you mean to hint I'd better destroy that letter, eh?"

"Just as quickly as possible Where is it?"

"In my room"

"Hm-m! Then I'm not sure you'll have a chance to destroy it" O'Reilly was thinking rapidly "Fro watched even there"

"Bullets! I thought assome other oath?" O'Reilly broke out, irritably "I've always considered 'bullets' weak and ineffective, but--it has a significance"

"There's a new lodger in the rooot a peephole in the wall" Branch was visibly excited

"Quite likely I have the sa us now"

Leslie cast a hostile eye at the man his friend indicated "Looks like atoto think," said Johnnie After a time he rose from the table and the two strolled out Johnnie was still thinking

When the two arrived at Branch's quarters O'Reilly scrutinized the rooossiping Both ht it ave the to burn that letter of introduction, they realized that if their suspicions were correct such a procedure would only serve to deepen their difficulties Nothing they could later say would explain to the satisfaction of the authorities so questionable an act The mere destruction of a mysterious docuether too queer; itInas only for an excuse to be rid of him, O'Reilly knew that deportation was the least he could expect, and at the thought his fingers itched to hold that letter over the lamp-chimney Imprisonment, almost any punish all over again