hem take a
message to be sent by the telegraph from that place. Tell the
Bishop--"

"Sure!" interrupted the other. "Leave it to me. I'll fix up a message
that will bring him by return boat! I've been talking with the
Honorable Alcalde and I've got his exact number. Say, he certainly is
the biggest damn--beg pardon; I mean, the biggest numbskull I have
ever run across--and that's saying considerable for a mining man!"

"Go, friend!" said Jose, making no other reply to the man's words. "Go
quickly--and use what influence you have with the Alcalde to save us.
We have women here--and a young girl!" He found the American's hand
and led him out into the night.

* * * * *

Wenceslas Ortiz stood before the Departmental Governor. His face was
deeply serious, and his demeanor expressed the utmost gravity. In his
hand he held a despatch. The Governor sat at his desk, nervously
fumbling a pen.

"_Bien, Senor_," said Wenceslas quietly, "do you act--or shall I take
it to His Excellency, the President?"

The Governor moved uneasily in his chair. "_Caramba!_" he blurted out.
"The report is too meager! And yet, I cannot see but that the Alcalde
acted wholly within his rights!"

"Your Excellency, he seizes government arms--he attacks the church--he
attempts to destroy the life of its priest. Nominally acting for the
Government; at heart, anticlerical. Is it not evident? Will the
Government clear itself now of the suspicion which this has aroused?"

"But the priest--did you not say only last week that he himself had
published a book violently anticlerical in tone?"

"Senor, we will not discuss the matter further," said Wenceslas,
moving toward the door. "Your final decision--you will send troops to
Simiti, or no?"

"Certainly not! The evidence warrants no interference from me!"

Wenceslas courteously bowed himself out. Once beyond the door, he
breathed a great sigh of relief. "_Santa Virgen!_" he muttered, "but I
took a chance! Had he yielded and sent troops, all would have been
spoiled. Now for Bogota!"

He entered his carriage and was driven hurriedly to his _sanctum_.
There he despatched a long message to the President of the Republic.
At noon he had a reply. He mused over it for the space of an hour.
Then he framed another despatch. "Your Excellency," it read, "the
Church supports the Administration."

Late that evening a second message from Bogota was put into his hand.
He t