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With a bluntness not unkind he asked O'Reilly what had brought hiestured with a letter in his hand, saying: "Major Ra hiht with us What does he mean?"

When O'Reilly explained the reason for his presence the old fighter nodded

"So? You wish to go west, eh?"

"Yes, sir I want to find Colonel Lopez"

"Lopez? Miguel Lopez?" the general inquired, quickly

"I believe that's his na in Matanzas Province, You see, he knows the whereabouts of my--friends"

"Well, you won't have to look far for hihtened into a s Judson to hio, take Mr O'Reilly to Colonel Lopez; you will find hi fellow for a soldier; he looks like a real man and--quite equal to five quintos, eh?"

It was the habit of the Cubans to refer to their enemies as quintos--the fifth part of a

As Judson led his companion away he said: "When you have finished with Lopez come to my shack and we'll have supper and I'll introduce you to the rest of our gang You won't get rub; but it's worse where Lopez couel Lopez, a handsome, animated fellow, took O'Reilly's hand in a hearty clasp when they were introduced; but a ave way to a frown and his brow darkened

"So! You are that O'Reilly from Matanzas," said he "I know you now, but--I never expected ould meet"

"Esteban Varona told you about me, did he not?"

The colonel inclined his head

"I' every way to get through The Spaniards stopped me at Puerto Principe--they sent me back home, you know I've been half crazy I--You--" O'Reilly sed hard "You knohere Esteban is? Tellwhatever That is, nothing since Rosa, his sister--You understand, she and I are--engaged-"

"Yes, yes; Esteban told ravity ofA sudden fear assailed him His voice shook as he asked: "What is it? My God! Not bad news?"

There was no need for the officer to answer In his averted gaze O'Reilly read confirmation of his sickest apprehensions Themoment, while the color slowly drove out of the A him pallid, stricken He wet his lips to speak, but his voice was no more than a dry, throaty rustle