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' Minor Poets on Trafalgar.…

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Before Jena.

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Anti-Consumption Society Scene.

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SWANSEA WAR MEMORIAL.I

Offer of Nurses to Japan.

L. & N. Western's Counter…

WHAT CHRISTMAS DISHES CAUSE!

THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

(ALL Biom HWITW.] THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE. Bit GUY BOOTHBY, IliBw *f "Dr. Nikola," "The Marriage oi ihthtr," "Pharoa the Egyptian," "Long Lin th. King," "My Indian Queen," Ac. CHAPTER XII. Of one thing I am quite sure, and that is that Jack Trowbridge will remember the journey to Spain as long as he can recollect anything. He reached London at two o'clock in the morning, and left Charing Cross for Dover at nine o'clock. He had a smooth passage across the Channel and a pleasant journey to Paris, It was not, however, until he found himself in the Sud Express, roaring away South, that he felt that he was making any real headway. As the train sped on its way he was able to devote plenty of time to thinking over what he should do when he reached the Spanish capital. It was then that he felt he would have given anything had he iearnt the language of the country. As, however, he was not conversant with it, he knew that he would have to rely upon his wits to help him as far as possible. For obvious reasons he could not employ an interpreter, and yet how he was to make himself understood without one—for he would have to ask many questions—he could not quite understand. As the journey advanced, his impatience increased with it. When he turned into his bunk, it was not to sleep. The gentle rocking of the train did not soothe hnn it made him 1 only the more anxious to yt on. And when at last they reached the border and were turned out to have their baggage inspected, and to take their places on another train, he could have poured an anathema on the whole system of railway travelling. Right glad was he to at last find himself in the ancient Spanish capital. Leaving the station he made his way to an hotel, which had been recommended to him by a man in London, who was well acquainted with Madrid, and upon whom he had paid an unceremonious visit in the few hours he had had at his disposal before proceeding to Charing Cross. It was a comfortable, almost luxurious, abiding place, and he felt that it would suit him very well for the short time he was to spend in the capital. Immediately on arrival there he had a bath, a proceeding which seemed to cause the man, who attended him a considerable amount 01 astonishment, and then ordered breakfast. Thai meal over, he donned his hat and went out t< inspect the city. He was anxious to get I general idea of his surroundings before proceed- ing to business, and he could not have chosen a better time than this warm Sunday morning. As he walked along the streets he watched the passers-by, but among all the daughters of Olc Spain that he encountered, he could not fine one so beautiful as the lonely girl he had left behind in England. By the time he returned to the hotel he hae taken in something of the city and was eagei to know more of it. His next move must be tA: discover the street in which Dr. Morento hac his abode, and then to endeavour to find out whether the unfortunate young Montalva wai residing with him. When he had made the nearest approach t< lunch the hotel was able to afford him, Jaci lit a cigar, preparatory to setting out on hit errand. Before doing so, however, he wai anxious to make some inquiries as to tiielocalitj in which the street in question was situated. He tried one of his neighbours in English and French and German, but failed to elicit s response. He discovered later that the man wu Italian and could speak Spanish fluently. n. tried another, but this individual only bowed profoundly, with his hand upon his stomach, and answered in the best Castilian. Eventually he left the hotel, determined to try his luck in the streets. Leaving the thoroughfare in which his hotel was situated, he turned into the Puerta del Sol, at one time the Eastern Gate upon which the sing sun shone. This was the centre of th. city, and Jack felt that it should be the starting- place for any inquiry he might care to make. During the afternoon a famous bull fight waf to take place at the bull ring, which, as anyone who has visited Madrid knows, is situated outside the city on the road leading to Genta del Espirih; Santo, and half of the population of the citj seemed to be making its way thither. For « moment Jack felt inclined to follow theii example, but when he remembered how precioui his time was, he determined not to do so, but instead to devote his afternoon to the task 01 discovering the whereabouts of the Calie dei Guadiana, in which Dr. Morento had his abode. Bowing politely, he stopped more than one pedestrian and inquired of him whether he was familiar with the place. To the answers thej gave him, however, he could attach no import- ance, since, withoutexception, they were giver in Spanish. Fate, however, did not forsake him. He had reached the corner of the Callc Montera, and was wondering as to what he should do next, when he saw coming towarde him a stout, genial-looking gentleman, whom, by some strange reasoning, his instinct told him was an Englishman. He approached him, rais- inghishatashedidso. "I hope you will excuse me for stopping you," eaid Jack, "but I feel sure that you are an Englishman." The stranger smiled pleasantly and nodded. "I don't know why you should think so," he answered. "I don't mind confessing, how- ever, that I am. I am a Londoner—a Cockney, if you like. You are a stranger in Madrid, I presume ? Can I be of any service to you ? "You can be of great service, if you will," Jack replied. "I have been questioning all sorts of people within the last hour in the hope of being able to discover where the Calle del Guadiana is situated. No one seems to know, however; or, if they do know, they have such a lot to say about it, that I find it hopeless to try and make head or tail of their directions." "The Calle del tGuadiana," said the other, reflectively. "Let me see now. I am not quits sure that I know myself. However, I have a very good friend down here, if jou will accom- ) pany me, who, I am quite sure, will be able tc set us right." Jack apologised for troubling him, and ther. followed him to a tobacconist's in a neigh- bouring street. The proprietor was in the act of starting for the bull fight, but he had still sufficient time left to give the information asked. for. Jack's new acquaintance translated it, and then explained how it would be possible for him to reach the locality about which he wae inquiring. In order that there should be no mistake, the proprietor wrote it down and assured him that if he were to Ehew it to any cabman or train conductor, it would enable him to reach his destination. Jack was profuse in his thanks, particularly to the Englishman, who was loth to let him depart. He handed him his card, from which it would appear that his name was Tollington, and that he was a merchant in the Carrera Fan Geronimo. He stated also that if lie could be of any further assistance, he would be only too glad to do all that lay in his power. "I shall hope to avail myself of your kindness, "Jack replied. "I am here for a week, and, as you have seen for yourself, I am ignorant of the Spanish language." Then Jack bade him farewell, and set out at a smart pace for the residence of the doctor. Now the Calle del Guadiana, while being doubtless highly respectable, was in no sense imposing. The houses it contained were plainly those of middle-class people. Inez ad informed him that Dr. Morento's was the fifth house on the right-hand side, but now he was confronted with the question 8S towhictishe Considered the right-hand side. If it were the fifth house on the right- hand side coming from the city, then he was exactly opposite it, but, if its location was to be judged when entering from the suburbs, then it was on the opposite side, and at the fuit'ier end. While he was making up his mind as to what he should do, a jolly old priest emerged from one of the houses and came along the pavement towards him. He accc sted him in French, and put, the nccessuy questions to him. By good fortune, it happened that he was acquainted with the residence of the doc'o-. If monsieur would follow the strfct along, he would find it on the left-hand side and a few doors from the end. He would know it, because there was a lamp-post exactly opposite the door, and ids > because the shutters were painted a dark red. Jack thanked him and passed on again.

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|=========^^ Mayor on Athleticism.

--..--Brace of Swansea Fatalities.

THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE.

THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE.