Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

26 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

* INTERESTING EXTRACTS FROM…

' Minor Poets on Trafalgar.…

Preaching and Practice.

Before Jena.

-.,--+-Volunteers!'

Figaro's Appreciation of Chamberlain.

Advertising

«[ SPELTER WORKS STRIKE.

-.a..-.-.-:-AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHERS.

"Shamrock the Fourth."

St. Mary's New Organ.

Big' Bequest to Pope PiUf.

i PUBLIC HALL FOR GORSEINON.…

Anti-Consumption Society Scene.

[No title]

SWANSEA WAR MEMORIAL.I

Offer of Nurses to Japan.

L. & N. Western's Counter…

WHAT CHRISTMAS DISHES CAUSE!

THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE.

[No title]

[No title]

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

--..--Brace of Swansea Fatalities.

THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

Before he reached the house in question, he took the precaution of croasing the etreet, and when he found himaelf opposite it, he did not stand atill and examine it, but paaaed on until he came to the ..nd of the atreet. Loitering there, he was able to give it sufficient attention for his requirements. It wa. no more imposing than its neighbours, even though it held eo great an interest for him. It was a square building of the typical Madrid order, and gave evidence of no particular wealth on the part of its owner. While he was watching it, an elderly, grey-haired man, who walked with a xtick, and who might have been anything between sixty and seventy years of age, came out and hobbled away along the pavement in the direction whence Jack had come. Jack immediately crossed the street and aet off in pursuit. Before he came up to him, however, he had changed his mind, and from that moment he kept a respectable distance between himself and the man he was following. When he reached the corner of the next street he gave up the pursuit, and returned leisurely to his hotel. An idea had suddenly occurred to him, which he thought might be worth putting into practice. For the rest of the day he amused himself as best, he could, wandering about the city, and keeping his eyes always open for a glimpse of the youth he was so anxious to find. It is needless to say that his task was unsuccessful. When he retired to rest that night, he had to confess to himself that, while he had not altogether failed to discover any clue, he had made but small progress. From what he had hsard, the city was already in a ferment con- cerning the arrival of Alfonso y Ribiera. The authorities were taking extraordinary pre- cuitions, yet no one seemed to know exactly what had happened. There was an uneasy feeling abroad that did not speak very highly of the General'u popularity with the inhabitants of Madrid. Next morning when he left his hotel Jack made his way to Mr. Tollington's office. Early as the hour was he found his friend of the previous day already seated at his writing-table. He rose to greet him, and seemed pleased to renew the acquaintance. Feeling that on this occasion it would be belier to enter into more particulars concerning himself, and his reason for being in Spain, Jack gave him a hint, realising with whom he had to deal, of his standing in the county. "In what way can I be of service to you?" Tollington inquired. "I shall be most happy to help you in any way I can." "You are very good, Jack replied, accepting the cigar that, was offered to him "and I will only too gladly avail myself of the privilege you offer me. If you will permit me I will tell you why I am here." "Pray do not trouble to do that," the merchant replied, politely. "It is quite tumcient for me to know your name, and that you are an Englishman. Now tell me what I can do for you." "Well, as a matter of fact, I want to be introduced to Dr. Morento of this city. I have come on behalf of a lady whose brother deserted her; and from information I have received, I have reason to believe that it is just possible that he may be residing with the doctor. I am, however, anxious to convince my- self on that, point. How to do so I cannot tell, for the doctor has a strong influence over him, and it is more than likely, even if I find him, that the doctor's power would prevent me from getting him back to his sister. To succeed, therefore, it will be necessary for me to make my way into the doctor's house in a fictitious way. The only plan I can hit upon is that I should pretend to be ill, though I could not do that without an interpreter." "And you would like me to act in that capacity?" said the merchant. "Well, I see nothing to prevent me from doing so. When would you like to set out ? "Immediately you can conveniently arrange to do so," answered Jack, who was anxious to incur no further delay. "Come along, then," replied the merchant. "We will hunt the worthy doctor up at once, and see what he thinks of your constitution. As we go along, you must tell me from what complaint you are supposed to be suffering." Jack cast about him for symptoms, but the only thing he could think of was that his head ached—so he thought his liver must be out of order. "You might say that I am nervous about myself, and that immediately I begin to feel ill I alwaY8 see a doctor." They left the office and proceeded in tho direction Jack had followed on the previous day. It was not plain to him what benefit he would derive from the doctor's house, or even from an interview with that worthy. He, neverthless, felt that this was the best course to pursue. When they reached the house, Mr. Tollington rapped sharply upon the door with the brass knocker, and a few moments later the portal which Jack hoped stood between Manuel de Montalva and the outside world was thrown open by an ancient crone of the housekeeper description, who, in answer to the merchant's inquiries, informed them that the doctor was at home. She invited them to enter and led them to a room at the back of the house. It was a large, sparsely-fyrnished apartment, in no way remarkable for anything. There was a writing- table, another covered with books, another in the centre of the room, which looked as if it; might be used for the purpose of meals, a curious Algerian settee, or, as it might be more properly described perhaps, divan, and a large window looking out upon a bare courtyard. "Not much of a place," said the merchant, as he looked round the room. It does not speak very well for the doctor's practice." As he finished speaking, the door opened, and the little old man, whom Jack had seen on the previous afternoon, entered. lie looked from one to the other of his visitors, as if he did not understand who he should address first. Eventually he selected Mr. Tollington and said something in Spanish. That gentleman replied, and then turned with a low bow to his friend. Jack gathered that an introduction was taking place, and performed his most polite bow. Some further conversation ensued, after which, by means of the interpreter, the doctor began to question him concerning his symptoms. These Jack found extremely difficult, as you may suppose, to answer. In the room above someone was walking impatiently up and down. Jack listened while the other two wore talking, and felt that he would have given something to have known who the individual was. It was a firm, manly step, and whoever its owner might be it was quite certain that he was disturbed in his mind. Having finished his inquiries, the doctor passed to his writing-table and sat down to pen a prescription. That finished he handed it to Jack, who ir quired, through the merchant, as to what sum he was indebted to him for his attention. This having been satisfactorily arranged, they were about to take their leave when the door opened and a tall, stalwart man, with a heavy, clean-shaven face, and close- cropped black hair, burst impetuously into the room. The doctor looked up angrily, but the new-comer did not lake any notice of his scowl- ing countenance. "Manuel and I are going out," he said, in German. "We shall return in an hour." Jack had to turii his face away lest the expression upon it should be Observed by the doctor. Inez's brother, then, was in ili8 house, for it was scarcely likely there could be another of the same name there. He found it difficult to conceal his exultation. If they were to return in an hour he would take good care to be there to meet them. He wanted to see the lad, and be sure that he was not making a mistake. The medico having grunted some almost unintelligible answer the stranger withdrew, and they saw no more of him. Feeling that it would be impolitic to follow them just then, Jack requested his companion to detain the old gentleman in conversation a few minutes longer. It was a dangerous thing to do, for of course he could not tell whether the doctor was conversant with the English language or not. The expres- sion upon his face, however, was quite serene, and from this fact Jack drew comfort. For upwards of ten minutes, therefore, they continued to chat, Tollington interpreting when- ever Jack made a remark. Then they bade the doctor farewell, and passed out into the street once more. When they were some distance from the house Tollington turned to his companion and condoled with him upon the failure of Lie errand. "I am far from being cast, down at the result," Jack replied. "I have learnt as much as I want to know. The young man I am after is in the house, or rather was, for I distinctly heard that man who spoke in German mention his name. They have gone out for an hour together, and I am going to make it my business I ?

THE LEAGUE OF TWEL VE.