ong to estimate the character of the
newcomer, Jose. Nor was he slow to perceive that this liberal pietist
was cast in an unusual mold. Polity necessitated the cultivation of
Jose, as it required the friendship--or, in any event, the thorough
appraisement--of every one with whom Wenceslas might be associated.
But the blandishments, artifice, diplomacy and hints of advancements
which he poured out in profusion upon Jose he early saw would fail
utterly to penetrate the armor of moral reserve with which the priest
was clad, or effect in the slightest degree the impression which they
were calculated to make.

In the course of time the priest became irritating; later, annoying;
and finally, positively dangerous to the ambitions of Wenceslas. For,
to illustrate, Jose had once discovered him, in the absence of the
Bishop, celebrating Mass in a state of inebriation. This irritated.
Wenceslas had only been careless. Again, Jose had several times shown
himself suspicious of his fast-and-loose methods with the rival
political factions of Cartagena. This was annoying. Finally, he had
come upon Jose in the market place a few weeks prior, in earnest
conference with Marcelena and the girl, Maria; and subsequent
conversation with him developed the fact that the priest had other
dark suspicions which were but too well founded. This was dangerous.
It was high time to prepare for possible contingencies.

And so, in due time, carefully wording his hint that Padre Jose de
Rincon might be a Radical spy in the ecclesiastical camp, Wenceslas
found means to obtain from Rome a fairly comprehensive account of
the priest's past history. He mused over this until an idea suddenly
occurred to him, namely, the similarity of this account with many of
the passages which he had found in a certain book, "The Confessions
of a Roman Catholic Priest"--a book which had cast the shadow of
distrust upon Wenceslas himself in relation to certain matters of
ecclesiastical politics in Colombia nearly three years before, and
at a most unfortunate time. Indeed, this sudden, unheralded
exposure had forced him to a hurried recasting of certain cherished
plans, and drawn from him a burning, unquenchable desire to lay his
pious hands upon the writer.

His influence with Rome at length revealed the secret of the wretched
book's authorship. And from the moment that he learned it, Jose's fate
was sealed. The crafty politician laughed aloud as he read the
priest's histor