THE TREASURE 
 
 -OK- 
 
 MONTEZUMA, 
 
 BY- 
 
 RUDOLPH LEONHART, A. M., 
 
 AUTHOR OK 
 
 " DOLORES;" "THE CHILDREN OF THE OUTLAW;" "THROUGH 
 BLOOD AND IRON ;" THE WILD ROSE," ETC. 
 
 CANTOX, OHIO: 
 
 CASSIDY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 
 
 1888.
 
 COPYRIGHT. 
 
 1888.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 If I deviate in this instance from the rule hitherto observed, 
 not to present a preface to my works, it is because the present pro 
 duction of my pen differs widely from those I have hitherto given 
 to the public. As a general thing prefaces are superfluous in works 
 of fiction, betraying an amusing, though pardonable, vanity on the 
 part of the writer, and the erroneous supposition that the reader 
 extends to him the interest he takes in his production. If the pres 
 ent work had merely entertainment in view, as had my former pro 
 ductions, I would have abstained from intruding personally on the 
 reader ; but this is not the case. While I have endeavored to enter 
 tain I have no less endeavored to instruct, and of such magnitude, 
 in my estimation, is the subject laid before the reader, that I deem 
 an explanation of my reasons for embodying it in a story not only 
 justifiable but necessary. Whether I have done the subject 
 justice is a question whose answer I must leave to the reader, 
 claiming only the sincerest conviction of the correctness of the 
 principles expounded, and the purest motives in their promulgation. 
 I presume it is generally conceded that at no time has there existed 
 such universal dissatisfaction with the condition of social affairs as 
 now ; but while the acknowledgement of this fact is nearly univer 
 sal, the opinions as to its causes vary greatly. Hundreds of writers 
 and thinkers have racked their brains for plausible explanations of 
 the puzzling phenomenon, without, however, bringing it much 
 nearer a solution. The writer has given this subject much thought, 
 and now ventures to express his conviction that this deplorable dis 
 content can only be explained by the undeniable fact that the great 
 
 2209011
 
 4 PREFACE. 
 
 majority of our race practice, or at least tolerate, a number of 
 enormous lies, underlying the superannuated and rotten structure of 
 human society, allowing them to color and shape their lives. We 
 live, as it were, under false pretentious, endorsing by our silence 
 these lies, and causing the world to believe that we take them for 
 truths. Hypocrisy has thus become a national, yea universal vice, 
 and yet we wonder that a deep discontent prevades the masses. 
 We may tolerate and practice a vice but we can no more evade the 
 self-contempt engendered by such a course than the mariner the 
 wake which his vessel plows through the water. This being my 
 conviction, the reader will no longer wonder at my anxiety to set 
 myself right before the world on this question, and, by the pro 
 pagation of my honest views, discharge a duty which none of us 
 ought to evade. It is not only the privilege, but the stern duty of 
 an upright man to show his colors, and to declare such principles 
 as he thinks calculated to advance the welfare of the human race. 
 If he err he errs at least honestly, and is much less to blame than 
 the miserable hypocrit who sails under a false flag and conceals his 
 real opinions through the despicable apprehension of injuring his 
 worldly prspects. I need not point to the vigorous denunciations 
 which the founder of the Christian faith hurls at the pharasees, i.e. 
 the hypocrits, of His time. These denunciations are but little 
 heeded in our day, like many other of His admirable precepts. In 
 
 fact, if He appeared among us to-day He would hardly recognize 
 
 
 
 the majority of those calling themselves His followers. 
 
 Numberless lectures have been delivered and hundreds of 
 treatises written on the subject ; but the former are mostly fre 
 quented by those already enlightened on the subject and the latter 
 read exclusively by scholars or persons of a higher grade of educa 
 tion, thus missing the masses, in other words those most in need of 
 such instruction. The story, in its various forms, is the literature 
 of the people, and it is the recognition of this fact which has in 
 duced me to write "THE TREASURE OF MONTEZUMA," into whose
 
 PREFACE. 5 
 
 thrilling incidents the lesson in question has been woven Whether 
 this thread is of genuine gold or a spurious article, I leave the 
 reader to decide, begging him merely to believe that motives of the 
 purest benevolence and philanthropy have animated me in its com 
 pilation, and that the conviction of having added my mite to the 
 amelioration of the poor and oppressed is ample reward for my ex 
 ertion. 
 
 I need not, at this place, enlarge on the principles advocated in 
 this volume, but simply refer the curious to the work itself, assur 
 ing them that the few hours required for its perusal will not be un 
 pleasantly or uuprofitably spent, even if it fail in making them 
 converts to the principles expounded on its pages. 
 
 RUDOLPH LEONHART. 
 Canton, Ohio, May 1st, 1888.
 
 THE TREASURE OF 
 
 MONTEZUMA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Reader is requested to retrace the stream of time until he 
 reaches the fall of 1877, and then accompany us to the fair regions 
 of Mexico, the land around which romance has woven her mystic 
 veil more than any other country of the new world; the land on 
 which nature, with lavish hand, has wasted all her bounties, but 
 which the folly of man has kept so poor that it supports with 
 difficulty its scanty population, which hardly averages thirteen to 
 the square mile. 
 
 We are about four hundred miles north-west of the Capital, 
 near the place where the Cordilleras expand into the table lands 
 which, in richness of produce, salubrity of clime, and beauty of 
 scenery, vie with the most highly favored portions of our globe. 
 
 All this is now wrapped in the somber mantle of a September 
 night, but the moon shines and sheds sufficient light to enable us 
 to trace the dim outlines of our nearest surroundings. We stand 
 on what pretends to be a highway; but which, in reality, can hardly 
 aspire to the name of a mule-path. On its eastern side stands a 
 structure of the humblest dimensions which, as an uncouth sign 
 board informs us, is the tavern of "Santa Madre," devoted to the 
 housing of man and beast. It is built of sun-dried brick, and boasts, 
 as we see on entering, of only two apartments, one of which serves 
 the landlord and his family for a kitchen, sitting, dining and sleep-
 
 8 The Treasure of Montezuina. 
 
 ing room, while the other shelters the chance stranger who, on rare 
 occasions, has been benighted in the neighborhood. 
 
 This seems to be the case at the time of our visit, for, as we 
 gaze through the only window into the moon-lit room, we perceive 
 a man stretched on a low bed, held apparently in the bonds of a 
 deep slumber. His sleep must, indeed, be very profound, for he 
 evidently fails to hear the noise emanating from a determined effort 
 to open the door. Presently this effort is crowned with success, for 
 suddenly the door opens, admitting a man who walks with stealthy 
 steps to the bed. In his hand he holds a dagger, a sign that he will 
 not allow the awaking of a single sleeper to thwart his purpose. Is 
 the sleeper aware of his danger? However this may be, he never 
 opens his eyes whilst the intruder subjects his garments to a 
 thorough search and causes the contents of their pockets to wander 
 into his own. When he has done he seizes the saddle-bags standing 
 on the bed between the sleeper and the wall, casts a last scrutinizing 
 glance at his victim, and then leaves the room with an assurance 
 which only a long practice in a career of crime can bestow. 
 
 When the robber reaches the open air, he listens once more 
 attentively and then walks behind the house, whither we follow 
 him just in time to see him enter an open shed, w r here a mule is 
 stabled. He seems at home here, for he bridles and saddles the 
 animal without any hesitation whatever, fastens the saddle-bags in 
 their proper place, and then leads the mule into the road. He 
 keeps on the sod lining the way, with the evident intention of 
 effecting a noiseless departure. He mounts with the ease and grace 
 of an accomplished rider and putting spurs to the mule, causes it to 
 break into a brisk trot. As he disappears in the dim light, we hear 
 a suppressed chuckle vibrating through the night air, an indication 
 that he keenly enjoys a deed so much at variance with the laws of 
 civilized societ} r . 
 
 Our highwayman, however, plays too important a role in our 
 narrative to lose sight of him; so, good reader, mount behind and 
 ride with him through the balmy night air, until the rising sun 
 permits us to cast a scrutinizing glance at him. 
 
 Indeed, our robber is no mean personage to look upon. He is 
 hardly over twenty-one, and of a stature at once graceful and 
 athletic. He stands probably five feet ten in his socks, and his
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 9 
 
 body is so well proportioned as to excite the admiration of even a 
 casual observer. His hair is curly and of a raven blackness, a light 
 mustache of the same color heightens the expression of confident 
 nonchalance, not to say impudence, unmistakably imprinted on his 
 handsome countenance. His eyes show that dreamy veiled con 
 tentment which we notice in the tiger when, after a hearty meal he 
 cowers on the floor of his cage to dream of his native jungles. When 
 thus seen, he might be considered a very harmless creature, 
 but throw a pebble at him and a sudden lurid flash from his eyes 
 will cause you to congratulate yourself that the heavy bars prevent 
 a more intimate acquaintance on his part. His nose is well shaped, 
 after the Grecian pattern. His finely chiseled lips betray animal 
 courage and self-will. His face shows the rosy color of youth and 
 health, although the the ring, under his eyes betray the frequent 
 indulgence of sensual passions. The youth is clad in the pictur 
 esque costume of the country, the loose jacket and the trowsers slit 
 to the knee, and trimmed with silver buttons. A sombrero tilted 
 jauntily on his curly head adds to the air of deviltry so plainly 
 stamped upon the whole apparition. 
 
 We have hardly finished our observation, when the robber also 
 benefited by the first rays of the sun to examine the fruits of his 
 nightly enterprise. Thrusting his hand into his breast pocket, he 
 drew forth several papers and carelessly glanced at them; but what 
 he saw evidently attracted his attention in an extraordinary degree, 
 for he started so violently that his mule gave a sudden jump which 
 came near landing him on the ground. After a vicious chastisment 
 of the unlucky animal, he gazed once more at the paper and 
 muttered audibly: 
 
 "Mr. Arthur Grau! Why, that is my name. Am I dreaming?" 
 
 The fellow rubbed his eyes, then looked again. Sure enough, 
 there it was, in a bold, legible hand. "Mr. Arthur Grau, in care 
 of Anton Stamm, K , Germany." 
 
 "Well, if that don t beat the devil!" The robber went on 
 soliloquizing, "this letter can hardly be designed for me, and yet 
 there is no other Arthur Grau in these parts, as far as I know. 
 In care of Anton Stamm, K , Germany. Let me see, 
 haven t I an uncle by that name? Why, sure enough, my mother s 
 brother.
 
 10 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "How forgetful a fellow becomes in this western wilderness ! 
 But what can this mean? How did this letter get into the hands of 
 my worthy patron in the tavern of Santa Madre? I might rack my 
 brain till dooms day, and not solve this puzzle; so here goes," 
 
 The robber unfolded the paper, and gave another start on 
 discovering that the letter was written in german, This discovery, 
 however, did not seem to discomfit him, for he began to read with 
 an ever increasing attention, forgeting even to advance on his 
 journey. His steed did not fail to benefit by this unusual indul 
 gence and, coming to a dead stop, began to brouse on such herbs as 
 the roadside would offer. The horseman went on reading without 
 noticing, much less checking, such unheard of liberty on the part 
 of a mule, the plainest evidence that the contents of the letter must 
 indeed have been of a very captivating nature. It would hardly 
 be fair, under these circumstances, to withhold from the reader 
 what a knight of the road is permitted to enjoy, and we therefore 
 hasten to translate the letter for the benefit of the reader, and lay 
 its contents before him. It ran thus: 
 
 "FlUEDKNSTIIAL, Jail. 1st, 1876. 
 
 Mi/ Dear Arthur: 
 
 You will, I trust, pardon me for addressing 
 
 you thus, when you learn from your foster-father the part I have 
 played in your past life. When I tell you that it was I who directed 
 your education and defrayed its expenses, it is certainly not with 
 the intention of eliciting your recognition or securing your grati 
 tude. Indeed, I have no right whatever to excite such feelings in 
 your bosom; for when I befriended the orphan son of a beloved 
 cousin, I acted as much in the interest of mankind in general as 
 your own. It surpasses the compass of a letter to give a lengthy 
 explanation of my conduct and the motive shaping it; let it suffice 
 to state that the rude hand with which the world crushed my 
 youthful aspirations for the betterment of our race, filled me with 
 a bitter hatred for institutions which boast of so much wisdom and 
 benevolence, but which, in reality, are nothing but a cruel fraud, 
 practiced by a selfish few upon the masses. At first a bitter feeling 
 of my utter inability to correct these wrongs made a misanthrope 
 of me, and drove me into the wilderness, where the savage and the 
 beast show more affection for their kind than the standard bearers
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma,. 11 
 
 of a so called civilization. There a lucky fate put me in possession 
 of boundless wealth, and thus furnished me the means of warring 
 against the enemies of the human race and of bettering its condition. 
 I reserve for oral communication the recital of my doings, and 
 now merely say, come and aid me in a work more glorious and sub 
 lime than that of conquerors or diplomats. I fore-saw the necessity 
 of an assistant long since, and when, nineteen years ago, I found you 
 a helpless and forsaken orphan, I resolved to educate in you a fit and 
 worthy successor to my plans and aspirations. I needed a being 
 unhampered by prejudices, unbaised by superstition, unfettered by 
 bigotry; and where could I find one less so than in an infant so totally 
 free from the bonds of kin and affection. Gladly I would have 
 superintended your education in person, but my almost constant 
 travels over land and sea forbade all thoughts of indulging in such 
 a pleasant task. So I looked around for a proper substitute, and 
 was fortunate enough to find him in Anton Stamm. Your prepar 
 atory education has now been finished, and if half of what your 
 foster-father writes is true; if your mind is stored with useful 
 knowledge; if your body has been hardened and trained by manly 
 sports of every description; if your heart is softened by love and 
 sympathy for your race; if your soul is imbued with the fiery hatred 
 of sordid selfishness and oppression of every kind; then, my son, you 
 will require no urging to obey my summons. You will glory in 
 the work marked out for you, and long to earn the noblest title to 
 which a human being can aspire, the title of a benefactor of your 
 race. Anton Stamm will furnish you with the funds necessary for 
 your journey. To find me mark the following directions; land at 
 Vera Cruz and precede by the capital to the hamlet of Villa, 
 situated on the Pacific Coast at its intersection , with the twenty- 
 seventh parallel of north latitude. Thence procede northward until 
 you reach the Rio Frio. Follow its left bank upstream to where 
 the Cordillares bound its banks with lofty cliffs. Await the ebb 
 Avhich will lay bare a narrow ledge, on the left bank. Follow this 
 ledge until a waterfall shuts off all further progress in the ravine. 
 At the extreme edge of the cataract you will see an iron bar pro 
 truding from a rock; bend this in a southern direction, and await 
 the result. In expectation of an early meeting, 
 
 Your friend and father, HERBERT GRAU."
 
 12 The Treasure of Montezintia. 
 
 When the robber had finished reading, he mused a few 
 moments and then said with a cynical laugh: 
 
 "I begin to comprehend. This precious epistle was intended 
 forthat milksop, cousin Arthur, who used to live with Uncle Anton. 
 He was always a lucky dog, this Arthur was; but I shall take care 
 to keep this fat plum from falling into his lap. So, this Mexican 
 gold uncle is no m}th after all. I must confess, I had never taken 
 much stock in the story; a proof that the smartest of us can err, but 
 it is not too late to abjure my unbelief. By St. Mercury, our 
 patron, I shall hencefourth swear only by Uncle Herbert and roast 
 him alive who casts the merest shadow of a doubt on his identity. 
 And boundless wealth has he? Well, in that case it is my unmis 
 takable duty to relieve him of a portion of his burden, for the 
 bible in brms us that wealth has its great perils and often hinders 
 us from entering the kingdom of heaven. 1 would not like to 
 have it said of me that any remission of mine had imperiled my 
 uncle s soul. Judging from this letter, he is crazy as a loon; but 
 what is the odds? I rather like crazy uncles, provided they are 
 rich. But if I am to act my cousin s part, I ought to post myself 
 a little better concerning his affairs, to keep from committing any 
 awkward blunders. Perhaps these other papers will give some val 
 uable hints concerning the best mode of proceeding." 
 
 With these words the robber began to unfold a second paper; 
 but no sooner had he cast a glance at the contents, when he uttered 
 a lively ejaculation of surprise and exclaimed with a boisterous 
 laugh : 
 
 "By St. Mercury, this is evidently the day of miracles! Only last 
 night I disputed with fat rather Ambrosio the existence of such 
 things, and now my own experience convinces me that he is right. 
 Here I hold iti my hand the passport of my brother Philip, duly 
 installed premier of his Majesty, the King of B . Ho! it 
 seems, my worthy brother has risen in the world. Herr von Grau, 
 too! Ha, ha! we are big bugs now, and I will have to get my coat 
 of arms painted. But wasn t it lucky that Brother Philip is blessed 
 with such a sound slumber! Else he might wander now in the 
 realms of the blessed and I bear on my brow the mark of Cain. 
 Arthur Grau, you will have to read a fellow s pedigree hereafter 
 before tickling his ribs with your dagger, that is evident. But
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 13 
 
 Avhat in the world can that fellow want in Mexico? Stop Arthur, 
 don t stultify yourself, you know that his appearance always means 
 mischief, and that Uncle Herbert s money has brought him in this 
 particular case. By St. Mercury, I am almost sorry he slept so 
 soundly; at all events, if I had dispatched him, the world would 
 have owed me a big debt of gratitude. But as to Uncle s money, 
 why, I ll spoil the little game for him. If I had hesitated before, 
 this discovery would settle it. But let us see whether there are 
 more miracles in store." 
 
 The next paper which the robber unfolded was again a letter. 
 Instead of all further comments, let us look over the fellow s 
 shoulder and read with him: 
 
 "ANTONS RUHE, July 15th, 1877. 
 My dearly beloved Philip : 
 
 I cannot resist the temptation of 
 
 sending you a few affectionate lines to the far west. You cannot 
 imagine how I miss you. Ah Philip, I wish you had never left me, 
 for since your departure my conscience has troubled me sorely as to 
 the part I have played in my uncle s premature death. Of course, 
 it was a stroke of apoplexy; but if it had not been for my stealing 
 that letter, the blow might have been delayed, if not averted. 
 Philip, I have bought you at a fearful cost. You belong to me 
 and woe to him or her who comes between us. I trust you will 
 return to me. If you do not, 1 shall follow you to the uttermost 
 ends of the earth and claim my own. 
 
 Your loving BERTHA." 
 
 "Whew! What a tigress! And yet, I would rather like to be 
 wooed in that fiery fashion. It would be a pleasant change from 
 the tame affairs which all my amours have thus far proved. Can 
 that possibly be Bertha Stamm, the gentle little girl who used to 
 live with Uncle Anton? It surely must be she, although this fiery 
 language does not much resemble the gentle lass I used to know. 
 But she loves him and that accounts for it. I truly believe the 
 contact whith him could change a very angel into a demon. But 
 this letter comes very opportune. I think I know enough now to 
 play my role to perfection. I am Arthur Grau, the milksop, who
 
 14 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 comes to obey the summons of his worthy uncle and protector. He 
 brings the sad news of the untimely death of the man who has 
 watched over him in the days of his boyhood; striking tableau, 
 moistened by copious tears shed in memory of the departed friend. 
 What an opportunity for the display of the dramatic talent which 
 they always told me I possessed! True the sojourn in that cranky 
 Uncle s house is likely to prove an unmitigated bore; but it must 
 be endured in "consideration of the great gain to be obtained. 
 Besides if women, rum and cigars can be found in the neighbor 
 hood, life cannot be totally without its charm." 
 
 Our highwayman then continued to examine his plunder. He 
 found and unlimited letter of credit which he flung away with a 
 contemptuous sneer, saying: 
 
 "Just like the contemptible cur he is. A gentleman would have 
 carried a purse of gold or a roll of bank notes and thus have given a 
 fellow an opportunity of earning an honest penny. Now let us 
 cast a glance into his saddlebag. I wager the contents are as mean 
 as the owner. No, by St. Mercury, here is really a small purse, 
 hardly worthy of a Premier, and here is a fine broadcloth suit with 
 plenty of linen to keep up the character of high pretensions which 
 I am expected to maintain. Well, that completes the necessary 
 outfit and we can begin with the comedy, for such, I trust it will 
 turn out to be. Besides, it might not be wise to tarry here too long, 
 for though I laugh at the Mexican police, I do not wish to encounter 
 any risks just now which might retard the raising of the curtain." 
 
 With this he put spurs to the mule and soon vanishes in the 
 cloud of cust which his speedy departure created. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PERPLEXITIES. 
 
 It is a week later. Benefiting by our superior knowledge, we 
 have betaken ourselves by private conveyance to the hamlet of 
 Villa, to await the arrival of our friend the highwayman. Such 
 little places are very dull, without regard to the fact that the curi.
 
 The Treasure of Monies uma. 15 
 
 osity of the natives is apt to worry one to death. We are therefore 
 very glad to see our acquaintance soon after make his appearance. 
 He has no mule now, but disembarks from a coasting vessel, carry 
 ing his possessions in a small bundle. He puts up at the only 
 tavern of the place and orders a meal, which he washes down with 
 copious draughts of rum. While he eats and drinks he asks the 
 landlord numerous questions, which that worthy is only too glad to 
 answer to the best of his ability. 
 
 "Do you happen to know a Sennor Grau, in these parts?" the 
 stranger at length inquired, carelessly. 
 
 "A Sennor who? " 
 
 The stranger repeated the name. 
 
 "Perhaps you mean Sennor Grayo?" the host inquired, lowering 
 his voice almost to a whisper. The Holy A irgin protect us, I d 
 like to know who don t know him? " 
 
 "Well, tell me all about him then ; where does he live? " 
 
 "Live? Why, that is hard to say. In truth, nobody has ever 
 been at his house." 
 
 "Well, what does he do then ? " 
 
 "Do? I would be very happy to know myself. Nobody has 
 ever seen Sennor Grayo." 
 
 "Not seen him? How the duce do they know then there is 
 such a person?" 
 
 Oh ! for that matter, " don t we know that there is a devil? I 
 have never seen him, but father Antonio swears that he exists 
 nevertheless." 
 
 "Well parried," replied the stranger with a laugh. "But Sennor 
 Grayo is not the devil, you know." 
 
 Well if he is not the devil himself, he surely is in league with 
 him," whispered the landlord, looking shyly around as if afraid of 
 of being overheard. 
 
 "But what makes you think so?" inquired the stranger, who 
 was evidenty amused at the other s curious notions. 
 
 Again the host looked around with a troubled contenance. 
 
 "It is not safe to talk about these matters," he wispered. "Per 
 sons who talked ill of him have suddenly disappeared in a mysteri 
 ous manner. Queer noises have been heard about the Rio Frio, 
 which seems to be one of his favorite haunts. In the mountains
 
 16 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 near by one can hear the thunder rolling while there is not a cloud 
 in the sky. In the night lurid flames are often seen to shoot from 
 the mountain tops, and many other wonderful signs and mani 
 festations. Now, if that is no proof that the devil has a hand in 
 this game, I should like to know what is." 
 
 "I stand convinced," the stranger replied with a numerous 
 grin on his handsome face; then paid his bill, took up his bundle 
 and went to the little bay which served the people of the hamlet as 
 a port. He found several fishermen lounging about near their boats, 
 and the languid manner in which they replied to his greeting con 
 vinced him that the fish of the neighborhood were not in any very 
 imminent danger of their lives. 
 
 "Can I hire a sail-boat here?" the stranger addressed them. 
 
 This question suddenly put life into the lazy group. 
 
 " Si, Sennor," a dozen voices responded eagerly, while their own 
 ers sprang to their feet with a rapidity which iormed not only a 
 striking contrast to their former indolence, but also proved plainly 
 how slim the chance was to earn an extra penny in that vicinity. 
 
 " Very well; what will you charge me a day?" 
 
 "Two dollars." 
 
 "One dollar." 
 
 Ah ! Francisco has merely a tub, and a handkerchief for a 
 sail ; the Sennor would not be safe with him. I have a boat that is 
 a boat. Just look at her ; isn t she a beauty? " 
 
 "She will stand muster," said the stranger stepping into the 
 craft without further parly. "Can you take me at once to the Rio 
 Frio?" 
 
 The effect of these few words was almost magical. The crowd 
 started as if a scorpion had bit them, and the owner of the boat that 
 was a boat, exclaimed, with an audible trepidation in his voice; 
 
 "The Rio Frio! Don t the Sennor know that the river is 
 haunted." 
 
 "Your brain is haunted by tomfooleries, that is evident," the 
 stranger retorted impatiently. " Will you take me or not?" 
 
 "I would like to accommodate the Sennor very much," the man 
 replied humbly enough, " but the peril of my soul " 
 
 "The duce take your soul," the stranger cried, in a passion.
 
 The Treasure of Montezumn. 17 
 
 "If you fellows are too stupid to take my good money, that is no 
 reason why I should waste my breath on you." 
 
 With a curse on his lips he turned, and was on the point of 
 leaving, when a youthful voice stopped him; 
 
 Sennor, if you will pay me five dollars, I will take you to the 
 Rio Frio." 
 
 The stranger turned rapidly, and saw a lad of about sixteen 
 standing before him. 
 
 " What is your name ? " he asked abruptly. 
 
 "Pedro, Sennor." 
 
 Can you manage a boat?" 
 
 "Pedro is one of the best among us," an old man answered 
 instead. "The Sennor may trust him without fear." 
 
 " He is certainly the bravest among you," the stranger replied 
 with a sneer; " which is, after all, not paying him a great compli 
 ment. But tell me, Pedro, how does it come that you dare to ven 
 ture a thing of which your comrad< s seem to be so much afraid?" 
 
 The youth smiled cunningly. "You see, Sennor," he replied, 
 I have an amulet which makes me safe against the wiles of the 
 evil one." 
 
 "Aha!" the robber replied with a. boisterous laugh ; "that is 
 the basis on which your courage rests? "Well, I reckon, your amu 
 let will serve me too, and your demand can therefore not be con 
 sidered extravagant. I accede to it on condition that we start with 
 out delay." 
 
 Pedro declared that he would need only fifteen minutes to lay 
 in some provisions. He ran to the hamlet and returned before the 
 expiration of the stipulated respite. Throwing a bundle into the 
 boat, announced his readiness to embark. We know the robber to 
 be a man of few words. He followed the example of Pedro. The 
 sail was hoisted , x and quickly and gracefully the boat glided from 
 the bay. The wind was favorable and, Pedro proving to be an apt 
 sailor, the distance to the Rio Frio was traversed before the sun 
 had reached his meridian. As they neared the mouth, Pedro be 
 came more and more engaged with his amulet, which he clasped 
 with an earnest ferver and eyed with unbounded faith. 
 
 "Does the Sennor wish to land here?" he asked with evident 
 anxiety.
 
 18 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "No, my lad, I want you to take me up the river to the first 
 spurs of the Cordilleras." 
 
 "But Sen nor 
 
 "None of your buts master Pedro. I want to go to the spurs 
 of the Cordilleras, and if you know what is to your interest you 
 will take me there in the shortest time. Do you understand me, 
 Sennor ?" 
 
 The look which accompanied these words was so significant that 
 the dullest could not have failed to comprehend it. 4 Pedro, 
 however, was a clever lad and much more inclined to face the 
 malice of evil spirits than the anger of the reckless man in whose 
 power he had placed himself. So he obeyed without further re 
 monstrance, but the pallor of his face increased with every mile, 
 and when the cliffs alluded to came in sight he had become so 
 deadly pale that even the calloused heart of the adventurer was 
 touched. 
 
 "That will do Pedro," he said "you may land me at yonder 
 ledge. Here is your money. And now be off or the devil will 
 swallow you alive." Pedro did not fail to benefit by this hint. 
 With a respectful adieu he pushed off and, aided by the receding 
 tide, soon managed to get out of sight of the cliffs and their dreaded 
 occupants. The bandit on the other hand looked around, and per 
 ceiving that several hours must expire before the ebb was at its 
 lowest, calmly lit a cigar, and, throwing himself on the ground, 
 stoically waited the moment which would allow further actions. 
 
 It was nearly four o clock when the water had sufficiently re 
 ceded to lay bare the ledge mentioned in the letter. No sooner 
 had this happened when he arose and entered the ravine, walking 
 with a careless indifference truly remarkable under the circumstan 
 ces. He was totally ignorant of what the next hour would bring. 
 The gossip of the villagers might well have staggered a man of 
 nerve, without regard- to the fact that a discovery of his fi-aud 
 must expose him to the wrath of the man or men he was to meet. 
 In spite of all this the bandit merely felt for his revolver, and then 
 overcame the difficulties of his way with so much ease and vigor 
 that he reached the water-fall before the expiration of another hour. 
 He walked to its near edge and discovered without difficulty an 
 iron bar an inch in thickness which projected about two feet from
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 19 
 
 the rock. Thus far everything had tallied with the letter, and now 
 nothing remained but to obey its last injunction, and turn the lever, 
 What was to come of it? Was the letter the fabrication of a 
 diseased mind? Was it the invention of a practical joke? Was it 
 the trap of a malignant designer? Who could tell? Dare-devil as 
 this bandit was, his hand shook a little as he stretched it forth to 
 seize the bar. Now he held it ; but his hesitancy, if such he felt, 
 lasted but a second and, with a sudden jerk, he bent the lever as 
 directed. 
 
 Hark ! What can this sudden rumbling in the bowels of the 
 mountains signify? It sounds as if mighty torrents had burst their 
 fetters and were now rushing forth on a mad career of destruction. 
 They seemed to seeth and roll on all sides of the adventurer, and 
 soon the angry waters began to rush from cracks and crevices. 
 Could the gossip of the villagers after all be true ? Had mighty 
 spirits combined here to work the ruin of the bold mortal who had 
 dared to invade their dominion? If these floods increased his death 
 would be inevitable, for they would overtake the fleetest runner 
 long before he could reach the mouth of the ravine. The bandit 
 stood aghast, and for a moment something like repentence for his 
 rashness filled his soul. He looked around for some avenue of re 
 treat, when suddenly the freaks of the cataract before him engaged 
 his whole attention. The mighty masses, which a moment ago had 
 thundered into the abyss below, ceased to fall, the rocks below the 
 projecting upper ledge split as if by magic, and in the dark recesses 
 thus formed several figures came into view which caused the bandit 
 to grasp his revolver and prepare it for immediate use. He saw 
 indian warriors clad in all the finery of their race. A leather 
 hunting frock fell to their knees; leggins of the same material 
 covered their lower limbs, and moccasins encased their feet. Their 
 heads were bare, but an eagle feather, stuck in their scalp locks, 
 gave them a martial appearance. Their intentions, however, seemed 
 very peaceful, for the foremost one, who appeared to be the leader, 
 smiled, waved his hand in salutation, and then beckoned the new 
 comer to come nearer. The latter saw that a retreat was now too 
 late, so, putting on a bold face, he climbed up the slippery rock be 
 fore him and stood beside the indian, who extended his hand and 
 said in Spanish :
 
 20 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "My brother is welcome ; has he the paper of the white father, 
 which speaks ? " 
 
 "The letter, you mean, Redskin?" 
 
 "My name, Montezuma," the Indian responded gravely. 
 
 "Montezuma or Mountebank, for all I care. If you mean the 
 letter, here it is." 
 
 The Indian received the document with his customary gravity, 
 looked at the signature, and said : 
 
 " It is well ; I shall take my brother to the white father; but 
 first he must let me bandage his eyes." 
 
 "Bandage my eyes? What is that for?" 
 
 "It is the order of the white father." 
 
 "You seem to be a funny set of cronies. Why in the name of 
 common sense am I to be blindfolded ? I hate such mummeries." 
 
 "It is the order of the white father," the Indian replied with 
 his unruffled equanimity. 
 
 "Hang the white father!" muttered the bandit quite audibly. 
 Then as if suddenly recollecting that further remonstrances would 
 be as useless as they were imprudent, he said aloud : 
 
 "Well, have it your own way: When one is among the wolves, 
 he must howl." 
 
 Without wasting another word the Indian drew forth a bandage 
 and fastened it over the stranger s eyes so securely that not a ray 
 of light could find its way into them. Then, the guide took his 
 hand and said laconically: "Come." 
 
 The bandit obeyed. As they started, he heard once more the 
 rushing of the mighty waters, and judged that the river had been 
 led back into its old channel and that he w T as thus completely in 
 the power of the man he meant to deceive in so outrageous a man 
 ner. But if he quailed within, he gave no outward sign of fear 
 and allowed himself to be led with the docility of a child. He 
 could, of course, form no idea of the way they were pursuing, but 
 he felt that the path was undulating and from the hollow echo of 
 their steps he formed the conclusion that they were traversing some 
 subterranean passage. How long they marched he had no idea. 
 The time consumed on such occassions seemes generaly endless, 
 and almost always exceeds the real distance. At all events the 
 bandit was by no means sorry when the guide finally stopped and, 
 taking off his bandage, exclaimed :
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 21 
 
 " We have arrived : once more ray brother is welcome ! " 
 
 The bandit might have replied in his usual cynical style, if the 
 strange contrast between his present surroundings and those of the 
 earlier hours of the afternoon had not so completely overwhelmed 
 as to deprive him, for a few moments of the power of utterance. 
 He gazed around as one bewildered. To his right he saw a long but 
 narrow lake, fill a natural depression, closed at its near end by a 
 short but massive wall, which showed beyond doubt that the lake 
 was the Avork of man and not of nature. In front and to the left 
 a region of most idyllic beauty came to view. Here and there a 
 farm house or barn arose from clusters of trees, while cultivated 
 fields, meadows of the freshest green and orchards of a tropical 
 luxuriance spoke of the industry of man. The place where the 
 bandit stood seemed to be the terminus of a large valley, bounded 
 on both sides with steep mountains, which united behind his back 
 but diverged on the right and left, extending to the north-east as 
 far as the eye could reach, and embracing with rough but sheltering 
 arms a valley of indescribable beauty and lovliness. At the distance 
 of about a mile, and touching the lake, the bewildered bandit per 
 ceived a cluster of houses, interspersed with the same rich foliage 
 he had noticed elsewhere, which seemed to be a village of consider 
 able size. On the lake several sail boats could be seen plowing the 
 crystal flood, while numerous fishermen plyed their handicraft. In 
 the fields laborers moved about, variously engaged in the pursuit 
 of agriculture. So startling was this scene in its overwhelming 
 lovliness that the bandit rubbed his eyes repeatedly and finally 
 stammered in confusion : 
 
 < What is this? Where am I?" 
 
 "In Friedensthal," the indian replied with undisturbed gravity. 
 "Is my brother ready to meet the white father?" 
 
 The solemn manner of the indian had the effect of calling the 
 bandit to his senses. He felt piqued at having suffered himself to 
 be thus upset by this novel and unexpected sight. He also felt 
 that a crisis was rapidly approaching which would tax his ingenuity 
 to the utmost, and surely work his ruin unless he regained his 
 usual composure. Thus, with an effort, he shook off the spell under 
 which he had labored and, resuming his usual careless manner, said 
 indifferently : "Go ahead, I shall follow."
 
 22 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 
 
 We must now leave the bandit for a little while and beg the 
 reader to accompany us to Montezuma, the capital of this com 
 munity, with which he has become acquainted under the name of 
 Friedensthal. Reserving its description for another occasion, we 
 enter one of its dwellings, situated at its western extremity. It is 
 a two-story brick building of considerable dimensions and very 
 tasteful outlines. Airy porches, from which steps lead to the 
 ground on all sides, large open windows admit the air to the inside. 
 The furniture, though not costly, is of solid elegance, betraying 
 the refinement of the inmates. In one room we see a handsome 
 upright piano, while another contains book-cases well stocked with 
 the choicest literary productions of various nations and ages in the 
 original text. A third room bears the character of an office. 
 There is a writing desk, with an easy chair before it ; the walls are 
 lined with shelves, holding labled bottles of every shape and size. 
 On opening the drawers below we notice numerous instruments of 
 a surgical character, which lead us to the belief that the owner 
 must be an adept in the art of healing. This owner just then en 
 ters the room and so striking is his appearance that, at his sight, all 
 the details mentioned sink into utter insignificance. We judge 
 him to be about fifty, but, from some cause or other, his brown 
 hair is slightly streaked with silver. Nothing, however, indicates 
 the decay of age. The man is of medium height ; his frame is 
 well knit, without being burly. His head is one of those which im 
 presses us deeply and is not easily forgotten. Under a massive 
 brow a pair of dark blue eyes look at us with a glance so piercing 
 that it seems to penetrate our very soul. But there is nothing 
 stern about them ; on the contrary, the light emanating from them 
 warms our heart as as the genial fire of the grate warms our limbs 
 on a chill day. His lips are firm without being hard ; indeed, the 
 main feature of his contenance has an indescribable touch of be 
 nevolence stamped upon it In general outline it resembles Wash 
 ington and, having seen it once, we do no longer wonder at the
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 23 
 
 marvelous influence which this singular man has gained over his 
 surroundings. 
 
 It is now about five o clock on the same afternoon which 
 witnessed the events above narrated. The person just described is 
 on the point of sitting down at the table when, suddenly, a little 
 bell rings, resembling that of a telephone. The man starts. On 
 the repetition of the signal he rises with youthful energy, walks to 
 an apparatus in a corner and begins to read a telegram just then 
 arriving. In a minute he has caught its import ; a happy smile 
 lights up his features, and with rapid steps he leaves the room. 
 They are directed towards the garden ; a garden well worthy of a 
 moment s pause. 
 
 On descending the steps of the porch we first reach a sward 
 which the Emerald Isle could not have shown fresher and greener. 
 No wonder! Crystal fountains of the most phantastic form, in 
 which the setting sun created all the colors of the rainbow, played 
 in every direction. Besides these, numerous brooks are running 
 everywhere, as if to mock the very idea of scarcity of water for 
 which Mexico is so badly reputed. Here and there flowers are in 
 terspersed, on which the flora of the tropics and the temperate 
 zone vie to display their charms. Here and there a magnificent 
 magnolia, catalpa or other tree of southern climes raises its stately 
 head over the lower shrubs, among which jassamine, sweet-scented 
 shrub and lilacs shed their delicious perfumes. A r ines of every 
 kind clambered along trellises and over arbors ; among them the 
 grape-vine, just then richly laden with luscious ripe bunches of 
 every color, from the delicate pale green to the deepest purple. To 
 one of these abors our new acquaintance wends his way, and on 
 arriving there discovers a young girl, engaged in eating grapes. 
 She does not seem to hear him, and he has therefore time to cast 
 a glance of indescribable tenderness upon her. Let us pause a mo 
 ment to look at her, for of all the fair flowers of this garden she 
 is the fairest. The girl reclines in a rustic arm chair ; her head 
 resting against its back. With her left hand she holds a magnifi 
 cent purple grape and with her right hand lazily picks the berries 
 and lets them disappear, one by one, between her coral lips. Mind, 
 we say lazily, not languidly, for this girl in the arbor is by no 
 means one of those fragile creatures so popular in novels, who are
 
 24 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 apt to break asunder if we look at them sharply. She may be 
 about eighteen ; her figure is lithe but strong and vigorous. She 
 is rather tall, fully five feet five, but so symmetrical are her limbs 
 that our eye is pleased rather than offended at her stately form. 
 She is decidedly brunette ; but although her skin cannot boast of 
 the whiteness of snow which we, by the way, have only seen in 
 novels, it has the delicate transparency which permits us to see the 
 red blood coursing beneath. Her hair is black as jet ; its wavy 
 masses are tied in an artless knot on the top of her head, allowing 
 little curls to escape and play on brow and neck. Her features are 
 finely chiselled and form an exquisite oval, apt to fill a sculptor with 
 rapture. It is the eyes, however, which form the crowning glory 
 of the face. They are dark blue, and so like the ones so lovingly 
 beaming upon her that we are justified in assuming the relation 
 ship of parent and child to exist between the man and the girl. It 
 is, after all, the eyes, or rather the soul shining through them, 
 which stamp the beauty of the face. Take them away and nothing 
 is left but the marble bust which leaves us cold like the marble of 
 the statue. The reader has, no doubt, often seen those porcelain 
 pictures hung in the window. Lay these pictures flat upon the 
 table and what are they? Nothing but alternate elevations and de 
 pressions. Now, however, hold them against the light and all at 
 once they run into things of great beauty. So the light of the soul, 
 beams forth from the eyes. And what do we read in those of this 
 girl? An unpolluted soul, a vigorous intellect, great kindness of 
 heart and a good deal of harmless mischief. They are beamingly 
 turned upon the unlucky grapes which are fast disappearing under 
 the vigorous onslaught. 
 
 "Inez, I have good news. He has arrived." 
 
 The words came so sudden and unexpected that the girl was 
 startled and betrayed into asking : 
 
 "Who has come, father?" Then, suddenly recovering herself, 
 she jumped up, clasped her hands and said joyfully : 
 
 "O! papa, you need not tell; I know, Cousin Arthur has ar 
 rived. I read it in your eyes." 
 
 "You guessed correctly, child. He has just arrived at Lake- 
 view. If we hurry we can make the five o clock train and welcome 
 him in person."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 25 
 
 "Then let us hurry, by all means. I fear the poor boy is half 
 dead with fatigue. I am ready, Papa," 
 
 "Very well; here comes a street car; by taking it we will 
 surely reach the station in season." 
 
 They hurry into the street, and, while they are waiting for the 
 approaching car, we shall peep around a moment ; for, what we see 
 is well worth our attention. 
 
 The street is very wide ; the sidewalks are laid with fine flags 
 which, in turn, are lined with sod. The pavement consists of "a 
 composition which we have no time to investigate at present. In 
 the center we notice the street-car track, and as the car approaches 
 we wonder at the absence of horses. Nor is the road a cable-road, 
 for we can see no trace of any cable. As the car approaches the 
 man hails it, the driver turns a lever and the car stops. When the 
 passengers have taken their seats, the driver reverses the lever and 
 they proceed on their way. We ride as dead heads, and as we pass 
 block after block we notice everywhere the signs of the most ad 
 vanced civilization and unmistakable prosperity. We marvel and 
 ask ourselves; "are we dreaming or is this reality? Are we in a 
 valley of the Mexican Cordilleras or on the boulevards of Paridise ?" 
 Dear reader, if we have to answer all the questions you will be 
 tempted to ask in the course of this narrative we may as well stop 
 spinning our yarn. We must really leave the solution of any puz 
 zle which may arise to your own ingenuity. But where did we 
 stop ? Ah, yes, we were admiring the beauties of the streets of 
 Montezuma. As we proceed, our wonderment increases instead of 
 abating. We pass beautiful villas, surpassing the one described 
 both in size and splendor. The almost reckless use of water is 
 probably the most striking feature for anybody who is condemned to 
 sigh under the burden of a heavy water tax. There is at least one 
 public fountain to every block, to say nothing of the countless pri 
 vate ones, adorning the gardens on both sides. Now and then the 
 street widens into a park, swarming with children of both sexes 
 and all ages. The costumes of the girls strike us as novel, or 
 rather peculiar, for if we are not mistaken they were once advoca 
 ted in the United States by Mrs. Bloomer, who was foolish enough 
 to imagine that common sense alone could war successfully against 
 the tyranny of fashion. But how then, you ask, could it prevail in
 
 26 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 Friedensthal ? Was the government an absolute despotism ? 
 Could 
 
 Ah, more questions which we answer with the stereotyped qitein 
 sabet of the Spaniard. This much we know : the man from whom 
 this cruel mandate emanates rides in our car ; the people know him, 
 and yet, oh wonder of wonders, they do not stone him ! Are you 
 not strongly tempted to ask another question ? If ever you were 
 justified in doing so you are now. But let me ask in return : Do 
 you begin to see what kind of a man we have introduced to you ? 
 To increase your wonderment let me add that his ride to the station 
 is nothing but one continued ovation. The children cry : good 
 evening, papa Herbert ! The women smile and wave their hand 
 kerchiefs, and the men raise their hats and send a blessing after 
 him. The distance to the depot is about two miles. A few min 
 utes before reaching it we enter a park which surpasses all the pre 
 vious ones in size and beauty. It is covered with magnificent trees, 
 under which fountains play in the slanting sun rays. The four 
 sides are lined with stately stores, in which all kinds of goods are 
 invitingly displayed. The park is divided by a river of moderate 
 size, banked on both sides with massive quays. A handsome iron 
 bridge spans it and allows our car to proceed on its course on the 
 other side. New beauties come to view, but our passengers have 
 alighted and proceed to the depot, which lies on the right bank of 
 the river, leaving just room for a double track. The depot is fur 
 nished with all the modern improvements of which our large cities 
 can boast. But by this time we have ceased to marvel and rather 
 expect to find every new feature in conformity with our past ex 
 perience. The two sat on a bench. 
 
 "Five minutes to five," said the gentleman, looking at the clock 
 hanging on the wall above the ticket office. " Just in time, unless 
 the train is late." 
 
 "Which is never the case in this wonderful land," the girl said, 
 with an arched smile. "Or hardly ever." 
 
 "It isn t the case this time, Miss Wiseacre," he replied with a 
 numerous smile, "for here she blows. I am glad, for I must con 
 fess that this arrival has quite upset me, and the sooner this meeting 
 is over the better." 
 
 "I hope you will realize your fondest anticipations, dear Papa" 

 
 The Treasure of Monteztnna. 27 
 
 she said, clinging fondly to his arm as they walked to the platform 
 and boarded the train. 
 
 "It would be a sad disappointment were it otherwise," he 
 replied. 
 
 " But Uncle Anthon s eulogies surely justify the greatest ex 
 pectations." 
 
 "Love blinds, child," he said half jestingly ; "haven t we a 
 striking example of this truth in this little mischief of mine?" 
 
 " A chip of the old block, I fear," she replied laughingly. And 
 thus they went on, trying to hide, under playful bandiage, the 
 emotions which the telegram had arroused in their bosoms. We 
 will let them chat and cast a glance at the scenery, as the train 
 pulls from the station. For a mile or more we are in the city yet 
 with its unmistakable air of prosperity, its well-kept streets, stately 
 buildings, splashing fountains, magnificent shade trees and cosy 
 parks, which teem with jubilant children, interspersed with adults 
 hardly less gay and merry. Gradually it assumes a suburban 
 aspect, and the modest villa takes the place of the more pretentious 
 store or office. Just at the limit the river widens and expands into 
 a good sized lake, around which the railway winds in a graceful 
 curve. It lies somewhat below the level of the river which plunges 
 into it with a fall of considerable magnitude and power, which 
 is utilized by a number of factories on both sides. A floating boat 
 house affords ample opportunities for healthful sport, in which both 
 sexes seem to participate, if we are to judge by the handsome caps 
 worn by the girls, probably to protect their flowing tresses. At 
 the southern end of the lake the river repeats its tumble, and here 
 the industrial scene of the upper end is renewed on a larger scale. 
 We have no time to examine these industries, for now the train 
 rushes into the open country and traverses a landscape to describe 
 which we would wish ourselves possessed of the pen of a Cooper or 
 the brush of a Claude Lorraine. The river continues its southern 
 course, forming cataracts every few miles and offering power 
 enough for a new Pittsburgh. The railway closely hugs its right 
 bank, doing a traffic that might justly excite our wonderment, if we 
 had not long ago decided to cease wondering. Every two or three 
 miles we notice a little station, with people either wishing to board 
 the train or to receive friends. The country rises gently but
 
 28 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 steadily on both sides of the river until, at the distance of three or 
 four miles, it merges into the mountain chain bounding the valley. 
 Numerous farm-houses dot the plain which is covered with crops 
 and trees of wonderful variety, changing from the cotton the olive 
 and the date of the tropics, to the wheat and fruit trees of the temper 
 ate zone. The former fill the lowf r regions along the river, where 
 a truly tropical heat favors their growth, while the latter have 
 sought the more elevated regions suited to their nature. Even here 
 we notice the abundance of water. Numerous brooks come prat 
 tling down the hillside, irrigating the fields and orchards on their 
 way and finally joining the river, after bestowing a refreshing ver 
 dure to the meadows through which they meander. At the dis 
 tance of three miles we notice one vineyard above another, while 
 the far back-grounds are formed by somber pine woods, over which 
 here and there a solitary peak raises its bald head. After a run of 
 about ten miles we arrive at a pretty little village bearing the sig 
 nificant name of Eden, while ten miles further south we reach 
 Enterprise, a place which, though not aspiring to the size and stir 
 of the capital, is still a place of considerable dimensions, and 
 counts its inhabitants by the thousands. Right here we notice a 
 series of rapids, lined with numerous works of industry which seem 
 to swarm with laborers of every kind. The most remarkable fea 
 ture of these establishments is the cheerfulness with which every 
 one seems to perform his task. We catch snatches of songs amid 
 the din of the hammer and the saw, and as the train once more be 
 gins to move, can hardly force back the question : AVhy, oh why, 
 are these factories so different from those we have seen in other 
 parts, where songs and laughter form the exception, and surely dis 
 contented faces the rule? Five miles further and we come to 
 another place, the village of Lakeview, where Ave left our bandit 
 about two hours ago. His indian guide had taken him to the tav 
 ern of the place, and placed the resources of the house at his dis 
 posal. The supper they had placed before him had found favor in 
 his eyes ; but when he had asked for rum and cigars, and heard 
 from the wondering landlord that neither of these articles could be 
 obtained, he received this news with an imprecation which, though 
 merely muttered, had not escaped the notice of the people of the 
 inn. Nor had his subsequent conduct bettered the opinion which
 
 The Treasure of Monteznma. 29 
 
 they had begun to entertain of him. On learning that the next 
 train for Montezuma would not start before seven, he had left the 
 tavern and, loitering about the village, eyed the women of the 
 place with a boldness which the approaching darkness had failed to 
 conceal. He had imbibed much of the strongest wine the valley 
 produced, but was it the conciousness of the impending danger of 
 .meeting his relative with a muddled brain or the inability of pro 
 curing more ardent spirits? When the train rolled into the station 
 he approached it in full possession of his faculties. The number of 
 passengers was rather small; but, as he had not the slightest clue 
 to his uncle s identity, he tarried in the hope of being addressed by 
 him. Nor was he dissapointed. An electric light illuminated the 
 platform to the brightness of day, bringing the bandit form into 
 full view. Suddenly one of the passengers uttered an exclamation 
 of joyous surprise and then, hastening to him clasped him warmly 
 in his arms. 
 
 "Arthur, my boy!" he exclaimed, holding the youth at arm s 
 length, and gazing fondly into his face ; "I cannot be mistaken ; it 
 must be you, for do I not see the very image of my grandfather be- 
 tore me? Shake hands, my boy, and welcome, a thousand times 
 welcome in Friedensthal ! " 
 
 "Such a meeting, coupled with such an ardent reception 
 might have embarrassed anybody; but it was not merely embar 
 rassment which sent such a tremor through Arthur s frame One 
 look at the man before him sufficed to take his measure and to con 
 vince him that he had undertaken no child s play, and that this 
 man could not be trifled with. He quailed under his glance and 
 for a moment entertained the wish of being far away. Readv-wit- 
 ted man of the world though he was, he could not" find words to 
 reply to the others warm welcome. Fortunately none seemed to be 
 expected, for Herbert, as we may as well call him, appeared fully 
 satisfied with shaking hands and devouring him with his eves 
 however, he suddenly recollected that he had not come alone so 
 turning around to see what had become of his companion, he said 
 apologetically : 
 
 "Pardon me, child, for being such an egotist. Arthur here 
 is my daughter Inez, anxious to shake hands."
 
 3( , The Treasure of Mmteiuma, 
 
 At this the girl came forward and holding out her hand, with a 
 shv "race, charming to behold, said : 
 
 "Good evening, Cousin Arthur. I join papa m w.shmg you a 
 hearty 7elcome. "l trust yon will like Friedenstha. and t get 
 .nesick for the splendor of the old world you left beh md. 
 
 7 the fellow gazed PO the beautiful P 1 Wh "I Her 
 .0 tfusttc-ly in hit, he was suddenly overcome with a deep sense 
 of sha neat the unworthy role he was playing, and for a moment 
 ItTke confessing his treachery; but the emotion was only trans,- 
 to y and a moment later his dare-devil spmt had regained the 
 miry Deling that he must say something m return, he 
 
 ^.^SCSi -h hearty ...come is apt to cure the 
 wnrt oises of the malady vou mention. 
 
 oTfl her and daughter listened attentively to a vo.ee , whjd. 
 they would hear so often hereafter, making ,t y dwb ta tot 
 
 should be sympathetic. An<l was it sympathetic? 
 certah something in the voice of au educated person wluch no 
 natural perfection of the organs of speech ojn rep ace M 
 
 buLd ,0 fatigue and weariness what jarred upon the.r sensitive 
 mav be sure, at least, that our remedy, if such it be, 
 
 where 
 
 seated themselves in seats facing each other. 
 
 1W voyage "sever free ; but, on the whole, I have no reason , 
 
 C "? And do you bring no greetings, no letters from friend Stammr 
 
 ..Why did you not get my letter, containing the sad news : 
 the young man asked with well feigned surprise.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 31 
 
 "What news? What letter?" Herbert asked eao-erlv 
 The news of Uncle Anton s sudden death " 
 
 "Anton Stamm dead ! " Herbert exclaimed in a voice in which 
 consternation and grief struggled for the mastery. - We know of 
 nothing. How did this happen ? When did he die ? " 
 
 " A few days after he handed me your letter. It was a stroke 
 of apoplexy. We found him dead one morning, seated in an arm 
 chair before his desk. I thought you were informed of the sad 
 event, as i wrote to you the very day." 
 
 w -ll" T fV g 1 y r Ur letter Ant n dead ! What a b ^nk this 
 will make for me ! I ha d hoped that he would allow himself to be 
 
 chTZ -fT T, us here i ut novv this hope is blasted - Excuse ^ 
 
 tall it t J M 1 trou 1 bIe y U . with "7 & -ief; but in Anton 
 tamm I lost not only a dear friend, but also a noble coadjutor in 
 the plans for which I live." 
 
 For a moment he hid his face in his right hand while Inez took 
 the other and, by a mute but eloquent pressure, endeavored to ex- 
 press her sympathy. 
 
 "Thank you my child," he said, resuming his former posture 
 Arthur nere knows what I lost in Anton Stamm, although youth 
 and time have no doubt, combined in his case to soothe the first 
 But I shall no longer trouble you with mine, so let us 
 speak of something else, j am sorry that the darknesg h 
 Arthur rom getting a peep at Friedensthal. I have no doubt that 
 he would now and then open his eyes in amazement at what he 
 would see. 
 
 "Nor I, sir, if what I am to see is at all in accordance with 
 what I have seen all ready. This is so unlike the Mexico I passed 
 through that I almost fancy I am in another world " 
 
 I May** you are Consin Arthur," Inez replied with a smile. 
 A world full of hobgoblins and demons, if our worthy neigh- 
 bors the fishermen can be believed." 
 
 " Thus far I have only found a fairy," the young man replied 
 
 whn 1 - -prised, 
 
 while the girl slightly raised her eyebrows, thus wrinkling her 
 
 * iDg} h WeVer and aS Herbert took 
 
 n . } Herbert took Pa** to 
 
 lighten their companion regarding the places through which they 
 passed she naturally fell out of the conversation
 
 32 The Treasure of Montezinna. 
 
 A little after nine o clock they reached Montezuma. Arthur 
 had resolved not to show too much suprise at any new development, 
 but what he saw was well calculated to puzzle stronger minds than 
 his. The depot with its busy crowd at such a late hour ; the street 
 car without horses, which they now boarded ; the beautiful parks 
 through which they now passed, lit up with numerous electric 
 lights and thronged with people, listening to strains of excellent 
 music ; the handsome villas lining both sides of the street all the 
 way out. All this was surely calculated to bewilder, and did be 
 wilder, the young man who answered the remarks of his compan 
 ions in mere monosyllables. He breathed a sigh of relief when 
 they alighted at Herbert s villa. Pleading extreme fatigue as an 
 excuse for retiring early, he accepted the offer of his host to lead 
 him to his room, an elegantly furnished chamber on the second 
 story. Herbert pointed out the adjoining bath room, and then left 
 him, after expressing his wishes for a good night s rest. 
 
 The bandit, on his part, did not stir ; he stood like one riveted 
 to the spot and stared vacantly at the door through which his host 
 had disappeared. He was evidently the prey of strong emotions of 
 rather a disturbing nature, to judge by the deep furrows they had 
 drawn on his brow. Now lie breaks into a soliloquy, richly spiced 
 with imprecations : 
 
 Curse it ! This is a nice pickle into which my folly has drawn 
 me. I expected some fun, and it looks very much as if 1 were go 
 ing to have enough of it, only with the laugh on the wrong side. 
 This uncle, with his penetrating eyes, will sooner or later find me 
 out, and I fear that a hint from him would suffice for his indian 
 minions to tear me to shreads. Arthur, if you know what is good 
 for you, you will try to get out of this scrape about as quick as you 
 got into it, though, how that is to be accomplished in a hurry is 
 more than I can see just now. To make matters worse, this girl 
 comes in with her bewitching eyes. Ain t they glorious though ! 
 Arthur, I fear, you have looked to deep into them already for 
 your own good. If it were not for these eyes I really think I 
 would show the white feather and take f rench leave ; but they bind 
 me as with chains of steel, and compel me to meet my fate. And 
 yet, how can I, polluted by vice and besmeared with blood, as I am, 
 dare to raise my eyes to this pure and innocent child? Arthur, if
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 33 
 
 you harm her you deserve to be torn inch by inch, by savage 
 beasts. But then, curse her ! why has she such bewitching eyes? 
 In olden times they would have burnt her as a witch, and if my 
 wooing kill her, well, she will die a sweet death, that s all. At all 
 events the die is cast. I will not, I cannot back out." 
 
 He then retired, but for a long time sleep refused to sink upon 
 his eye-lids, and when, at length, he fell into a fitful slumber, he 
 became the prey of frightful dreams, in which Indians, wild beasts 
 and malignant demons attacked him in turn. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 DISAPPOINTMENTS. 
 
 It was hardly six o clock the next morning when Inez made her 
 appearance on the porch. She was attired in a loose morning 
 wrapper of lawn, and looked, if possible, more bewitching than the 
 evening before. She sat down in a rocking chair and gazed at the 
 sky with such an abstract air that she must surely be the prey of 
 disturbing thoughts. This was indeed the case. She thinks of her 
 cousin, and earnestly reproaches herself for a vague dislike, which 
 is as distinct as it is unacountable. " Is he not handsome as Adonis; 
 has he not a stature like Apollo ; is lie not civil spoken, and had not 
 Uncle Anton sung his praises in countless letters ? And yet this 
 repugnance is there and cannot be argued away." Can the reader 
 account for it ? Was it a subtle weapon with which nature has 
 provided the weak and defenceless ? The swamp sends forth a 
 pestilential stench ; may it not then be possible that a moral stench 
 arises from immoral characters, perceptible only to pure and sensa- 
 tive natures, and even in them only as an unaccountable repug 
 nance ? Inez was evidently sorely puzzed, if not troubled, about 
 this feeling, which she resolved to combat as both absurd and un 
 just. She would have invoked the counsel and aid of her father, 
 if she had not known how fondly he had anticipated this arrival, 
 and disliked to mar his happiness. No, she would fight the battle
 
 34 The Treasure of Montcznma. 
 
 with her foolish self alone, and thus punish herself for this un 
 accountable whim. So, when, a moment later, she heard her 
 cousin s step in the hall, she resolved to indemnify him by re 
 doubled kindness for the involuntary wrong she had done him. As 
 he made his appearance on the porch she arose with alacrity, ex 
 tended her hand and said, with a winning smile : 
 
 "Good morning, Cousin Arthur. How did you rest? Did 
 the spirits of the place soothe your slumber? " 
 
 The young man could not refrain from casting an admiring 
 glance at the lovely appirition before him as he replied : 
 
 " No, Cousin, they did not fare so gently with me ; on the con 
 trary they worried me the whole night in a most ungracious manner, 
 and I shall have to beg you, as the good spirit of this place, to 
 banish them." 
 
 Inez had addressed him in Spanish, knowing from Stamru s let 
 ters to her father that his ward had mastered that language. The 
 young man had, indeed, replied in that tongue, which he seemed to 
 speak with readiness ; but Inez listened with a surprise she could 
 hardly conceal, for her relative had not spoken the pure Castilian, 
 which is universally studied by strangers wishing to learn Spanish, 
 but a corrupt patois, such as is used by the lowest classes in Mexico. 
 Her breeding, however, was too good to allow her to make remarks 
 or to correct him. Ignoring his faulty dialect, she said as sympa 
 thetically as she could : 
 
 "I infer from your remarks that you passed a restless night, 
 for which I am very sorry, since the fatigue of your journey must 
 have made slumber doubly necessary." 
 
 "Don t mention it, Inez," he cried eagerly, evidently delighted 
 at the sympathetic tone of her voice. Probably encouraged by it, 
 he continued : 
 
 " Even if I had really suffered, which is not the case, I would 
 consider myself richly indemnified by these sweet Avords of com 
 passion." 
 
 The touch of displeasure passing over her contenance might 
 have warned him that he was treading on dangerous ground, if the 
 feeling which was fast gaining the mastery of him had not, as 
 usually, blinded its victim. Inez was seriously displeased, although 
 she would have found difficulty in stating why. She would have
 
 The Treasure of Montesurna. 35 
 
 resented what she considered an unwarranted liberty more sharply, 
 if she had not remembered her intentions of being kind to him. 
 As it was she contented herself with saying, somewat sarcastically : 
 
 "It seems, Cousin Arthur, that the language of the Hidalgos 
 had the tendency of filling you with their gallantry, and such 
 efforts seriously affect the constitution in these tropical latitudes. 
 We had better return to the sober language of our ancestors. But 
 say," she continued, before he could reply, " have you no desire to 
 see the premises ? Papa is out to see a patient and breakfast won t 
 be ready for an hour ; so, if you wish, I will show you the sights." 
 
 He declared his readiness ; so, putting on a wide rimmed straw 
 hat, she led the way to the gardens, pointing out what she consider 
 ed beautiful and attractive: While thus engaged she made the 
 following observations : he had no comprehension of poetry, under 
 standing neither the nature nor influence of flowers. He switched 
 them off carelessly, as they proceeded and did not even bestow a 
 glance upon his victims. He was also cruel, for he struck at every 
 butterfly or humming bird flitting by. The beauties of nature left 
 him cold, for he noticed neither the grandeur of the trees nor the 
 fragrance of the flowers. Only when they reached the stables, and 
 saw the magnificent horses, Inez s companion waxed warm and 
 praised their noble qualities. But even here his praise was based 
 on selfishness, for he measured their merits only by the standard of 
 their usefulness to man. If Inez had undertaken her work of kind 
 ness with the hope of gaining a better opinion of her relative, she 
 had signally failed, for, what had at first been merely a groundless 
 and therefore a shapeless antipathy, now assumed the character of 
 disapproval, for valid reasons. Herbert, who had just returned 
 from his errand of love, for he had ceased to practice medicine as a 
 profession many years ago, now greeted Arthur cordially, and in 
 quired how he had rested. On being informed by Inez that the 
 young man had slept poorly; he cast a searching glance at his face, 
 and his practiced eye now for the first time discovered the traces of 
 dissipation indelibly printed thereon. He said nothing, of course, 
 but a pang of pain shot through his body. This youth, whom he 
 had been led to believe to be a model of purity and sobriety, ap 
 peared to be given to inebriety or lewdness, or perhaps both vices. 
 How far had he strayed from the path of virtue ? Might he still
 
 36 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 be reclaimed. O, bitter disappointment ! How he cursed the 
 blindness of love which had failed to notice and correct the first 
 deviations of the young man from the path of virtue. The blow 
 was so unexpected and crushing that Herbert could not entirely 
 conceal its effects from Inez s sharp eyes. 
 
 " What ails you, Papa ? " she inquired atfectionately ; "perhaps 
 these early calls do not agree with you." 
 
 "Nonsense, child," he replied with rather a forced laugh; "I 
 never felt better in my life ; so do not worry about nothing." After 
 breakfast he said ; "I think Arthur would like to see a little more of 
 his new home ; so, if you will have two horses saddled and take 
 your cousin over the neighborhood, you will add courtesy to pleas 
 ure and give me time to attend to some business which cannot well 
 be postponed. "Arthur, how would you like to ride over this fair 
 valley on the back of a fleet courser ? " 
 
 " Nothing would suit me better, Uncle, and if Miss Inez agrees, 
 I shall go and see to the saddling of the horses. 
 
 The girl consented graciously enough, so the young man took 
 his hat and hastened out to order the horses. Scarcely had he van 
 ished, and the cloud of concern returned to Herbert s brow. Nor 
 did he seem anxious to conceal his trouble from his daughter, for 
 he took her hand, looked lovingly and trustingly into her face, and 
 said earnestly: 
 
 " Lie/, I need not tell my wise little daughter, that it would be 
 unsafe to trust appearances, and to be captivated by a handsome 
 face before being certain that the interior corresponds with the Mat 
 tering outside." 
 
 She nestled lovingly to his side, looked up to him and said 
 anxiously : 
 
 . "So you share my doubts. Papa? I have chided myself 
 severely for the dislike with which our relative has filled me from 
 the beginning, and now I see you share my feelings." 
 
 "No, child, what I feel is not dislike, but sorrow and com 
 passion. Nor must we be too hasty in our judgment, and rather 
 try to correct than to condemn his errors. I am glad, however, that 
 you feel this way. Sadly as the abandonment of my hopes and ex 
 pectations regarding this youth would disappoint me, it would be
 
 The Treasure of Montesuma. 37 
 
 nothing in comparison to the horrible thought that your future 
 happiness would be wrecked upon his presence here." 
 
 " Have no fear, father, unless my feelings undergo a wonder 
 ful change. The danger lies the other way. I confess it causes me 
 an effort to observe to him the common civilities of life." 
 
 " Well, do the best you can, child. While I am glad to see 
 you thus protected against any wiles he might practice upon your 
 inexperience, I would not have you treat him rudely either ; for he 
 may be better than we think, and there may be extenuating circum 
 stances of which we have no knowledge. 
 
 "I understand you, papa, I think you will be satisfied with 
 me." 
 
 "I have no doubt of it, dearest. Excuse me for putting this 
 irksome task upon you, but this discovery has unnerved me, and 
 made it necessary to seek solitude and take counsel with my 
 thoughts to decide upon the course to pursue. Good bye, child ; 
 here comes Arthur with the horses." 
 
 Inez rapidly donned her riding suit and then suffered her cousin 
 to lift her into the saddle, more from a feeling of compassion than 
 the necessity of assistance, for she had received a physical training 
 calculated to make her body both strong and pliant. She could 
 swim, ride, run and climb like the best, and, if this statement is 
 calculated to injure her in the eyes of some of our readers, all we 
 have to say is that we pity them. 
 
 " Well," said Herbert, when they were both seated ; "have you 
 all you need, Arthur ? " 
 
 "For all I know, yes, uncle; unless you can accommodate me 
 with a good cigar." 
 
 That is a weed we do not tolerate on the fields of Friedensthal. 
 We have to much regard for our own health to poison ourselves 
 every hour of our lives ; so I would advise you to pull your 
 tabacco tooth at your earliest leisure, Arthur. But, how is this ? 
 Did not Stamm write me repeatedly that you abhored the use of 
 tobacco in any form ? " 
 
 " Very likely, uncle," the yaung man replied, somewhat nettled 
 at the other s remarks, which assumed too much the character of a 
 lecture to suit his taste; "it is hardly fair to make me accountable 
 for that gentleman s mistakes."
 
 38 The Treasure of Monteztnna . 
 
 " But did you not lead him to form such an opinion ? " 
 
 The bandit chafed visibly under the question. In fact, it is not 
 strange th; t he did. A person who, like him, had enjoyed the 
 boundless freedom of the road, and acknowledged no master what 
 ever, would surely find it difficult, if not impossible, to brook even 
 the slightest and most benevolent restraint. While his prudence 
 told him plainly that the success of his plans imperatively demand 
 ed his subjection to the will of this man, his careless indifference 
 constantly urged him to rebel. So he replied laughingly : 
 
 "Well, may be, I did; but a fellow wants his fun, you know, 
 and if he cannot enjoy it openly he will secure it by stealth." 
 
 AVith a final adieu they went off. Herbert s glance followed 
 the handsome youth with a sadness painful to behold. If the 
 reader recalls the letter which had fallen into the bandit s hands, he 
 will understand the ardent grief now filling this man s breast. From 
 this letter we know how carefully he had caused this young man to 
 be educated, to become his successor in the grand labor of his life. 
 The letters of his friend Stain m had nurtured his hopes of a success 
 ful issue of his plans, and justified his expectations of finding in his 
 ward qualities far above the common level. And now to see these 
 hopes, these expectations, crushed, as it were, ny a single blow, was 
 surely enough to cause the heart of the strongest to flow over with 
 bitterness. " By stealth !" Yes, there was the trouble ; that was 
 the poison undermining the health and strength of our youth. That 
 was the worm eating its way to the core and causing that prema 
 ture ripeness which leads to rottenness and early death. "By 
 stealth." What is this stealth but moral weakness, untruthfulness 
 and cowardice, and what could be expected of a youth infested 
 with such vices? A heavy sigh wrang itself from his oppressed 
 heart ; a symbol of the hope expiring within it. But, if he thus 
 buried the expectation he had coupled with the arrival of this 
 young man, did his disappointment free him from providing for his 
 future? Was he not morally bound to attempt the correction of 
 errors which the weakness or blindness of his friend had probably 
 caused ? He thought he was. After the recent interview with 
 Inez, he entertained no fear of any injury the young man s pres 
 ence in the house might work her, and he saw therefore nothing to 
 hinder him from the work of reformation he contemplated. He
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 39 
 
 aimed at the material amelioration of his race ; but was the recall 
 ing of an erring youth a less worthy undertaking ? Certainly not, 
 and he would attempt it with all the patience and forbearance it 
 required. This resolution seemed to relieve and comfort him, and 
 when visitor after visitor appeared in the office to bring informa 
 tion, request instruction or ask for counsel, he received them with 
 his usual cordiality and endeavored to satisfy them all to the best 
 of his ability. 
 
 In the meantime our young couple canter off in a north-western 
 direction, facing the mountains which bound the valley on that 
 side. Inez soon perceived that her companion was an excellent 
 rider. He and his firey steed appeared as cast in one mold, and 
 his stately, well proportioned figure could not help arousing the 
 admiration of the gii l, prejudiced though she was towards the 
 owner. He was, indeed, more than an ordinary rider, resembling 
 in his dexterity the wild comanche, who clings to his horse without 
 any visible means of support, and excites the admiration of even 
 the circus rider. Perhaps it was well that the girl had seen him in 
 the circumstances less favorable to him. Her well trained mind 
 felt more and more keenly the evident lack of refinement so plainly 
 visible in his remarks and manner. To an uneducated country 
 girl he would probably have been irresistible ; but the admiration 
 with which she regarded him was merely that cold and passive one 
 with which we contemplate a finely executed statue. 
 
 The road they pursued ran through a region characterized by 
 the exceeding lovliness typical of the entire valley, but, though Inez 
 took the pains to point out the most striking features of beauty to 
 her companion, he gazed at them with the same lack of apprecia 
 tion he had betrayed earlier in the morning. However, if he 
 failed to appreciate the beauty of his surroundings, he was at least 
 keenly alive to that of his companion ; in fact he was so untiring 
 in the lo oks of admiration he cast upon her that she became 
 seriously annoyed, and tried her best to arouse in him an interest 
 in the charms of nature. She called his attention to the splendid 
 condition of the road, which was constructed of the same material 
 as the streets of the city. She explained that it consisted of a 
 mixture of rock-sand and an earthy pitch, resembling asphaltum, 
 which her father had discovered in immense quantities in the
 
 40 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 neighboring mountain and utili/ed it, because it furnished a road 
 material at once cheap and excellent. Once applied in a proper 
 manner, she said, it was almost indestructible and required no re 
 pairs for years. 
 
 "But, to do these things," he interposed, "one must have money. 
 I suppose uncle Herbert is very wealthy." 
 
 "Perhaps he is," she replied, with a careless indifference, show 
 ing that she had given the subject little thought and placed even 
 less importance upon it. 
 
 "Well, but if he has, why does he hide himself in this obscure 
 corner of the world? .Just think of the splendid life you could 
 lead in Paris, London or Vienna." 
 
 This question had a strange effect upon the girl. She checked 
 her horse so suddenly that it reared on its hind legs without, how 
 ever, in the least disturbing the equilibrium of the rider. 
 
 "I though you had received my father s letter?" she exclaimed 
 sharply. 
 
 "Why, so I did," he replied, somewhat abashed by her vehe 
 mence. 
 
 "And yet you ask that question?" she went on, with an almost 
 contemptuous smile? "You are either making fun of me or are 
 incapable of grasping grand ideas. Both these constructions are so 
 unpleasant that they had better be dropped. What do you think 
 of these glorious orange trees, lining the road? They are common 
 property. Would you have the goodness to pick some of the fruit 
 for our joint benefit? " 
 
 He obeyed, chafing inwardly at the correction he had received, 
 but at the same time was awed by her display of spirit. When he 
 had plucked some of the choicest ripe oranges and handed them to 
 her, she set her horse once more in motion and continued to explain 
 what might be novel to him in the neighborhood, as if nothing on 
 his part had ever stirred her indignation. "You see, " she said, 
 "these farms consist of square lots, of fifty acres each. Every 
 four of them are surrounded by roads, running at right angles to 
 each other. There are no fences, you perceive, and that is well ; 
 for their absence does not only add to the beauty of the landscape, 
 but also saves the farmer much labor and expense." 
 
 "But I notice some fences.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 41 
 
 "Yes, every farmer must needs have a small enclosure to air 
 and exercise his cattle in, but even these indispensible enclosures 
 are reduced to a minimum by placing the buildings of the four 
 farms near the common center." 
 
 While thus conversing they had n eared the mountains, rising 
 steadily though imperceptibly to a higher level. She pointed out 
 to him the gradual but nevertheless marked change of the vegeta 
 tion, wondering at the same time at and lamenting the necessity of 
 such a task. Was this cousin of her s stupid ? She thought not, 
 for he had repeatedly made remarks on things interesting him 
 which betrayed both shrewdness and penetration. The trouble was 
 that the compass of things interesting him was so remarkably nar 
 row. It puzzled her exceedingly that a person of such a splendid 
 education as this young man was reputed to have received should 
 be so callous to everything grand and beautiful. 
 
 She. had no time, however, to Abandon herself just then to the 
 study of such rnetapt^sical questions. They had ridden about two 
 miles and were approaching the last tier of farms, nestling under 
 the somber pine trees covering the steeper slopes. Inez turned 
 into the private road leading to the nearest farm on the left and, on 
 arriving there, was received by vociferous manifestations of delight 
 on the part of man and beast. Amongst the latter Arthur noticed 
 a magnificient bloodhound of almost gigantic size, which jumped 
 incessantly around the girl s horse and by his joyous barking gave 
 the people the first intimation of the arrival of the guests. It at 
 tracted the attention of a young and handsome woman, who put her 
 head from the open kitchen and had no sooner seen and recognized 
 the joung lady than she ran towards her and, clasping her hands 
 in surprise and delight, exclaimed joyfully : 
 
 Miss Inez, can it be possible ! What a pleasure and honor for 
 us! But won t you alight, Sennora, and take some refreshments? 
 Your ride must have given you an appetite." 
 
 "Not this time, Marguerita," said the girl, shaking hands with 
 out dismounting. "1 am somewhat in a hurry, and simply stop 
 ped to deliver a message from your sister. She wants you to be 
 sure and not forget the white kitten you promised her." 
 
 The woman laughed merrily. "Tell Clara I ll be sure to bring 
 it as soon as it can eat alone. But won t you take a glass of milk at
 
 42 The Treasure of 
 
 least? And perhaps this Sennor would do us the honor to accept a 
 glass of our own vintage? My husband has the reputation of 
 making the best wine in the valley." 
 
 "Ah, excuse me, I forget Marguerita, this is my cousin Arthur, 
 who has come to stay with us. Arthur, this is Marguerita my 
 former faithful help mate, and now the wife of the young farmer 
 living here. Will you accept a glass of wine of their own make? " 
 
 "Yes, Inez, if it is not too much trouble." 
 
 "No trouble at all, Sennor." Then, turning to a little girl of 
 three or four years, that clung timidly to her apron, she continued 
 eagerly : 
 
 " Annetta, run to papa in the barn, and tell him to bring a bot 
 tle of our best wine and a glass for a Sennor from the city." Then 
 turning to Ine/ : "And now I will go and get your milk." 
 
 " Wait, Marguerita, I ll ride to the cellar door with you, to save 
 you the walk." , 
 
 So the two went off, and a minute or two later the young farm 
 er made his appearance ; a stately fellow, wearing a straw hat and 
 clad in a coarse suit of scrupulous cleanness, suitable to his calling. 
 A pleasant smile lit up his face, and the eager step with which he 
 advanced bore evidence of the pleasure it gave him to exercise the 
 duties of hospitality. 
 
 He was on the point of greeting the stranger, who looked up at 
 his approach, when suddenly he stopped, a look of consternation 
 clouding his eyes and a pallor spreading over his face. This strange 
 hesitancy attracted Arthur s attention. He eyed the farmer sharp 
 ly, and was on the point of uttering a cry of surprise, when the re 
 turn of Ine/ and her companion counseled the necessity of caution. 
 The farmer, on his part, also tried hard to regain his self-control, 
 but the hand which held the glass trembled so visibly that he 
 spilled part of its contents, and thus attracted the attention of Mar 
 guerita. 
 
 "Carlos," she cried, "what are you about? Don t you see, 
 you are spilling the wine? AVhat awkward fellows these men are, 
 she continued, turning laughingly to Inez ; "give me the glass, 
 man." 
 
 Then to Arthur : "I hope you will like it, Sennor; it is the 
 best we can give."
 
 The Tmiture of Montezama. 43 
 
 The young man was gracious enough to praise it ; then, the two 
 said farewell, turned their horses, and rode back to the city more 
 rapidly than they had left it. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 JARRIXGS. 
 
 Arthur did not .see very much of either father or daughter dur 
 ing the rest of the morning. 
 
 "Arthur," Herbert had said to him, "you must excuse me if 
 I leave you a good deal to your own resources for entertainment. 
 My duties are numerous and engrossing, and, as to Inez, she has to 
 superintend the household in place of her mother, whom we lost a 
 number of years ago. What the house and premises contain is, of 
 course, at your disposal. In the parlor you will find a piano and 
 other musical instruments. The book cases contain choice Jems, 
 both modern and ancient. In my office you will find all implements 
 for fishing and hunting, and in our woods much game worthy of 
 your mark. The horse you rode this morning you may consider 
 your own and, if these things do not suffice to fill your leisure time, 
 please let me know and we shall look for something else. After a 
 while I shall call upon you for assistance and benefit by your 
 knowledge of modern chemistry and engineering, but for the pres 
 ent you will need a vacation, a recreation from your long and 
 ardent studies. When ever you get tired of idling, tell me and I 
 shall try to find you plenty of work." 
 
 The young man thought this a very sensible speech, although 
 he could not help shuddering at the thought that this respite must 
 come to an end, and the moment surely arrive when his host would 
 discover the gross ignorence filling his mind. Would he wait for 
 that moment, that shameful exposure? How could he endure the 
 scornful look his cousin would then be sure to cast upon him? 
 
 And yet, on the other hand, how could he endure the thought 
 of leaving her? Short as the time of their acquaintance had been, 
 he felt that he would give years of his life for the bliss of spending
 
 44 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 the remainer with her. His passion was perhaps of a low and pure 
 ly sensual order, but probably the highest of which he was capable. 
 The mere thought of the necessity of leaving her drove him to 
 distraction, and we need, therefore, not wonder that he caught at 
 straws and trusted to the future for improbabilities, if not impossi 
 bilities, in accordance with his wishes. He did not think, perhaps, 
 this in the same or as many words, but his thoughts were certainly 
 of that drift, as he replied: 
 
 "You are very kind, uncle. I feel indeed pretty well shaken 
 up, though more with the journey and the novelty of everything I 
 see and hear than overstudy. A few months of rest will, no 
 doubt, make me myself again and enable me to enter into our views 
 with double alacrity." 
 
 Then he obtained the wished for respite. As to the duplicity of 
 his words and the depravity of his actions, he felt no scruples, 
 whatever. If love elevates and purities, it surely had not yet made 
 its influence felt in his case. Perhaps it was too new or of too 
 coarse a nature ; perhaps he had been wading too long in the slough 
 of depravity ; at all events, he did not feel the slightest compunc 
 tion at the deception he practiced upon these people, so far above him 
 in moral and intellectual worth. After dinner, Herbert announced 
 his intention of visiting Minersville. a town situated at the upper 
 end of the valley, and invited Arthur to accompany him. The 
 young man would gladly have excused himself, as he feared the 
 scrutinizing glance of his relative, and labored under the constant 
 apprehension of having his gross ignorance laid bare by some 
 searching question, but as he could not easily and readily invent 
 some plausible pretext, he was compelled to accept the invitation 
 with the semblence of great satisfaction. This is, in our estimation, 
 one of the worst features of evil doing. The deceiver is, as it were, 
 compelled to live in and constantly breathe the foul atmosphere 
 which his vile thoughts create, a necessity implying a fearful tor 
 ture. Herbert took the street cars to reach the depot, where they 
 arrived in good season for the northern train. The landscape 
 through which they traveled vied in loveliness with the southern 
 half; only it assumed more the character of the temperate /one 
 as they sped on. It must be remembered that they did not only 
 proceed northward, but also rose vertically with every mile. Indeed,
 
 The Treajtwre of Montezuma. 4o 
 
 Minersville lies fully two thousand feet higher than Monte/uma, a 
 difference sufficiently great to account for the change mentioned. 
 
 The, country was as densely settled as that farther south, the 
 stations and places occurring at nearly the same distances. First 
 they passed through Industry, a beautiful village of respectable 
 size, which seemed devoted to industrial pursuits of various kinds. 
 Arthur noticed a large number of agricultural implements, from 
 the plow to the threshing machine, evidently awaiting transporta 
 tion, and the bustle at the depot caused by the loading and unload 
 ing of merchandise of every description indicated a fair state of 
 prosperity. Here also the forces of nature had been made subservi 
 ent to the purposes of man, the rapids of the river turning ponder 
 ous wheels which, in turn, set countless tools in motion. 
 
 "I see, you manufacture on a large scale. Where do you rind a 
 market for all these implements?" 
 
 " AVhy, this year s census gives Friedensthal 100,000 inhabi 
 tants. Don t you think they otter a pretty good market? AVe have 
 12,000 farmers, half of whom want a threshing machine. It will 
 take years to supply them all, and when they are provided, Mexico 
 will furnish an inexhaustible field for our industries." 
 
 "But you are shut oft from all the world, and Mexico is poor." 
 
 "It will not always be poor, and as to our barriers, they will 
 fall some day." 
 
 Onward they rolled, until after a run of .>0 miles they reached 
 Ironton, a town not much smaller than Montezuma. It was un 
 mistakably an iron city, as the manufacture of that most useful of 
 all metals was carried on extensively, and almost exclusively, in its 
 precincts. 
 
 Arthur perceived numerous jets of flame shooting from iron 
 pipes into the air, and asked for an explanation of this strange 
 phenomenon. 
 
 "What you see is the surplus of natural gas escaping from 
 the ground. On boring for salt water, we discovered this gas and 
 have utilized it ever since for smelting our ores and making steel 
 and iron, although we prefer our boundless water power to roll and 
 hammer it into any shape we want." 
 
 "This is truly wonderful," said Arthur, for once roused from 
 his cynical indifference by the strange scenes around him. It look-
 
 46 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 ed indeed like magic, and, poor observer though he was, he could 
 not help obtaining a faint perception of the greatness of this man, 
 so plain and unassuming, and yet so full of creative power. In 
 taking thus his measure, he could not help drawing a comparison 
 between Herbert and himself, and, oh, how deep did his own mis 
 erable self sink in the scale. This recognition of himself, however, 
 did not create remorse at his own depravity, but rage and indigna 
 tion at the other s superiority, and rather steeled than weakened his 
 determination to deceive him. 
 
 Herbert was detained at Minersville only a few hours, so they 
 boarded the evening train, and reached Montezuma in time for a 
 late supper. When it was over they went into the parlor, where 
 Herbert requested his daughter to give them some music. Inez 
 was free from that silly affectation which so many young ladies 
 deem it proper to show on such occasions. She simply obeyed and, 
 sitting down at the piano, began to play with a mastery and, what 
 was more, an expression as exquisite as rare. 
 
 It is not likely that the bandit was a very good judge of such 
 matters, but even his coarse and superficial nature could not wholly 
 withstand the charm of such playing. After awhile Inez began 
 to sing. She possessed a rich and cultivated voice, and sang several 
 German and Spanish airs with so much fervor and pathos that the 
 young man was literally fascinated. So deeply was he absorbed in 
 listening to her strains that he started on hearing Herbert say: 
 
 "According to Mr. Stamm s letters, you must be quite an adept 
 on the piano yourself. Can you not relieve Ine/ and play a piece 
 for us? " 
 
 A burning blush suffused the young man s face. Callous 
 though he was, he could not help feeling a deep sense of shame at 
 the want of skill and knowledge thus leeking out constantly. 
 
 "Well, uncle," he stammered in confusion ; "the truth is, I have 
 not played for two or three years, and am so much out of practice 
 that I could not think of boring you with my miserable thumping 
 
 "That is a pity," said Herbert with a slight touch of disapoint- 
 ment. "I had anticipated much pleasure from hearing you and 
 Inez play and sing duets together. Well, if we cannot hear you 
 play, we must be satisfied with hearing you talk. Come, tell us
 
 The Treasure of Montczuma. 47 
 
 something of your life in Germany ; how did you and uncle Anton 
 get along together ? " 
 
 This was dangerous ground. The young man felt a cold perspi 
 ration breaking from his pores, but seeing that the slightest hesita 
 tion would imperil all, he affected a readiness he was far from feel 
 ing and answered gaily : 
 
 "Oh, we got along splendidly." 
 
 "That is, he humored you in everything, I fear. Poor Anton, 
 
 how I miss his letters. I wondered why they stopped so suddenly, 
 
 but did not anticipate the dreadful cause until you told us. Do 
 
 you think that he had any idea of the nearness of his death?" 
 
 "I think not, uncle ; at least he did not show it in his conduct." 
 
 "But cousin Bertha; how did you leave her? What is she 
 going to do now? " 
 
 The young man sat as if on nettles, moving uneasily about, but 
 managed to reply : 
 
 " She was comparatively well. She is still in the house and 
 means to stay there, until uncle s affairs are settled." 
 
 "She will not suffer, I trust," Inez continued. "Has not her 
 uncle made a will in her favor? " 
 
 " Not to my knowledge," the young man replied with desperate 
 readiness; "at least we were unable to discover one." 
 
 "That is strange," Herbert now broke in. " Anton wrote to 
 me about a year ago that he had made a will, and I dont think he 
 would deceive me in this matter. I must see to this, and write to 
 morrow. However, whatever may be the result of my inquiries, 
 under no circumstances shall my friend s daughter suffer want." 
 
 Inez pressed her father s hand, as if she meant to thank him in 
 behalf of the absent orphan. Then she inquired : 
 
 " What has become of all your teachers, Arthur ? Uncle An 
 ton was so untiring in the praise of some of them that papa has 
 been seriously thinking of calling them to teach in our schools." 
 
 The young man felt that he was getting every moment into 
 deeper waters, and that, if this cross questioning continued much 
 longer, nothing on earth could save him from immediate exposure. 
 
 "I had so many," he said almost frantically ; "I have no idea 
 which ones you mean."
 
 48 The Treasurf of Monttzuma. 
 
 "The ones with the funny names. Spe -, Spo , Spu. Can t 
 you help me a little ? " 
 
 "I haven t the slightest idea what you are driving at," moaned 
 the unlucky fellow in agonies. At this moment the door opened 
 and a servant annouced : 
 
 "Mr. Vorlaut," 
 
 "Show the gentleman in, Clara." 
 
 A moment after a middle aged gentleman of small stature 
 stepped into the room, bowing with the rapidity which suggested the 
 presence of a powerful spring in his back. He wore gold specta 
 cles, but his small piercing eyes shone through them with a sharp 
 ness that seemed to defy the most minute article to escape them. 
 Herbert shook hands with him and introduced Arthur, who shook 
 his hand with a fervor impressing the newcomer very favorably, as 
 he ascribed it to the delight of the young man to make his ac- 
 uaintance, while it really originated from the feeling of gratitude 
 for having been released from the rack of torture. 
 
 "Ah, your nephew? said Mr. Vorlaut, after seating himself ; 
 "I am happy, indeed, to make his acquaintance." 
 
 " Well, nephew, as the word goes; Arthur is the son of a first 
 cousin, and consequently not my nephew." 
 
 " I am grateful for these details, Mr. Grau, as I wish to make 
 a correct statement in to-morrow s Stimine der Wahrheit. I shall be 
 very thankful for any other details you may choose to give me." 
 
 " There is nothing else I can think of, "replied Mr. Grau rather 
 coldly. " You know, I dislike these sensational items, and you 
 would oblige me by confining yourself to the simple statement that 
 Arthur Grau, my nephew, has arrived from K , Germany, 
 and expects to remain here as a permanent member of my family." 
 
 " Very well," sighed Mr. Yorlaut, with the resignation of a 
 martyr who has been deprived of the pleasure of an auto da fe 
 for the public good. " Have you no other items for to-morrow s 
 issue ? " 
 
 "I cannot think of anything- just now ; but you, as a man of 
 news, ought to be able to entertain us with some spicy tid-bits, Mr. 
 Vorlaut." 
 
 "Alas! Mr. Grau, you have no conception of the dearth now 
 prevailing on the social and political horizon. But wait, I recollect
 
 The Treasure of Monteztoiut. 49 
 
 i 
 
 one little item that may interest or, at least, amuse you, as it 
 throws some light upon the crude and almost chaotic condition of 
 our new fatherland. A little more than a week ago a daring rob 
 bery was practiced upon a high German official, traveling in the in 
 terior of Mexico. While he was sleeping soundly the robber forced 
 an entrance, coolly appropriates his purse, papers and traveling 
 outfit and absconds. What do you think of such outrages, Mr. 
 Grau?" 
 
 This question was addressed to Arthur, who started violently, as 
 if he had been caught napping. 
 
 " I think, why, why" 
 
 " It seems to stagger you," Mr. Vorlaut said, who put a wrong 
 construction on the other s confusion ; and no wonder. Such out 
 rages are impossible in the old world. I only hope they will catch 
 the rascal. Wouldn t I take delight in helping to string him up !" 
 
 " Why, I had no idea you were so bloodthirsty," said Herbert, 
 smiling; "but what was the (ifficinl s name, and for what purpose 
 did he travel in the interior of Mexico? He might have known 
 that part of the world is not the very safest to journey in." 
 
 Again a cold shudder ran through the frame of the young man. 
 The next moment would probably bring out some awful revelation, 
 and he nerved himself to meet the emergency. 
 
 "The account does not give the name," Mr. Yorlaut replied, 
 thus freeing him a second time from a very embarrassing predica 
 ment. " It merely states that he meditated a visit to some rela 
 tive." 
 
 "And the name of this relative, ? " Mr. Grau inquired. 
 
 Another moment of breathless suspense. 
 
 "The account does not give that either. The fact is, they do 
 these and many other things down, here in a truly bungling and 
 shocking manner." 
 
 Arthur differed with the man of news, although lie took good 
 care to keep his thoughts to himself. He benefited by the first 
 opportunity which offered to retire to his room, where he walked 
 the floor a long time like a caged tiger, muttering to himself : 
 
 "Curses upon these constant risks ! The devil may stand them, 
 I cannot. Give me a good hand-to-hand fight and I will face it 
 as well as the best ; but these constant douche-baths are apt to take
 
 50 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 the starch out of a fellow. I must hurry matters, or there will be 
 an explosion, in which I may get hurt. Inez, Inez, why did T ever 
 look into your eyes?" 
 
 These reflections kept him awake until nearly midnight, and 
 even when he fell asleep his slumber was fitful and harrassed by 
 ugly dreams. So it was late when he awoke. On descending to 
 the dining room he found a solitary plate set for him. Inez was en 
 gaged with some household duties. On .seeing him, she said: 
 
 " Good morning, Arthur; you must excuse us for not waiting 
 with -breakfast; but papa had to leave on business which brooked 
 no delay. Clara, bring Mr. Grau s breakfast." 
 
 The person addressed was a young girl of Inez s age. She 
 seemed to be of Spanish origin, for her hair and eyes were of the 
 deepest black. Her face was rather handsome, especially when a 
 smile disclosed her teeth, and it is perhaps for that reason she 
 smiled almost constantly. As she brought in the dishes her large 
 black eyes dwelled with undisguised admiration on the handsome 
 youth. 
 
 " I hope the Sennor will like the coffee," she said with a smile, 
 as she poured out the aromatic beverage. "He must know that it 
 is of our own raising." 
 
 "In that case I shall like it as a matter of course ; I m sorry I 
 have caused you so much extra trouble." 
 
 With these words he attacked his breakfast with a vigor show 
 ing plainly that his troubles, if they disturbed his mind had thus 
 far failed to affect his appetite. Clara waited on him with a zeal 
 which did not escape the notice of Inez. Could the girl, who was 
 as much her companion as servant, but had received little or no 
 education, have taken a fancy to this handsome young man? She 
 hoped not, but also knew the ardent nature of the Mexican girl. 
 She must use the first opportunity to investigate the matter, and 
 warn her of the folly of such a passion. After breakfast she con 
 tinued with her work, and, when she saw that Arthur also re 
 mained in the room, she said pleasantly, pointing to a magazine 
 lying on the table, using this time the English idiom ; " cousin, 
 there is the last number of Harper s ; would you be kind enough to 
 read the first article to me? It treats on woman s rights, and be 
 sides wishing to know its contents, I should like very much to
 
 The Tmuure of Montezumd. 51 
 
 learn your opinion, concerning this puzzling question." 
 
 Here was a new dilemma for the unfortunate fellow. Another 
 confession of his ignorance had to be made. With a blush and 
 visible embarrassment in both voice and manner, he managed to 
 stammer in very poor English : 
 
 " Why, Inez, I can t read no English." 
 
 "Cannot read English, and studied it for I don t know how 
 many years? That really surpasses my comprehension." 
 
 "Well, my teacher and I didn t gee wery well ; so I loafed a 
 
 good deal with the English swells as lived in K . I can go 
 
 the lingo and that is all a fellow needs." 
 
 Inez would hardly trust her ears. She didn t know which 
 shocked her more ; the bad grammar or the ignorance causing it. 
 This cousin became more of a puzzle to her every moment, and she 
 felt quite relieved when he arose and announced his intention of 
 exploring the neighboring mountains for some game. When he 
 left the room, Clara ran to her mistress and whispered with a blush: 
 
 "Miss Inez, isn t he the handsomest man you ever saw? " 
 
 " He is very handsome indeed, Clara, but I fear that is all that 
 can be said in his favor. " 
 
 "Then you are not going to marry him, Inez ? " 
 
 "Marry him?" she said, half indignant, half amused. "I would 
 not marry him if he were the last man on earth." 
 
 "That is strange," the girl said pensively. "He is so hand 
 some ; oh ! so handsome." 
 
 " So you would not say no, my dear, if he asked you to be his 
 wife?" 
 
 Clara blushed and hid her face in her hands, but remained 
 silent. 
 
 " I see how it is," said Inez, thoughtfully, almost sadly, " loved 
 at first sight. But if I were you, Clara, I would war against this 
 feeling, for it will probably make you wretched, with little or no 
 possibility of having your hopes realized." 
 
 "Ah, the Sennorita said an untruth," said the girl with flash 
 ing eyes, rising impetuously to her feet, she wants him for her 
 self, and therefore bids poor Clara stand aloof." 
 
 For a moment Inez felt like resenting this imputation ; but re-
 
 52 The. Treasure of Montesuma. 
 
 membering the girl s untutored mind and passionate nature, she re 
 lented and said reprovingly : 
 
 " You foolish girl, have I ever deceived you? Arthur is noth 
 ing to me, and I wish sincerely I could say the same of you. Once 
 more I say to you, try to master this fancy while you can, else it 
 may wreck your future happiness. But enough of this. We gos 
 sip here like two cronies at the wash tub, quite unmindful of the 
 work to be done." 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 RETRIBUTION. 
 
 Arthur had meanwhile saddled his horse, secured all the im 
 plements necessary for a hunt, and then started in the same direc 
 tion which he and Inez had pursued the day before. At the dis 
 tance of about u mile from the city he noticed a light vehicle roll 
 ing towards him, occupied by the woman he had met at the farm. 
 At her side sat little Annetta, holding in her arms the white kitten 
 intended for her aunt ( 1 lara. Margurita recogui/ed the rider, 
 for she drew in the reins at his approach and greeted him with a 
 u od of her head, and said : 
 
 "Ah, I see the Heniior is out for a hunt ; when he returns he 
 must not forget to call at the farm and take some refreshment. I 
 may be back then ; but if not, Carlos will be proud to serve you." 
 
 Arthur assured her that he would be glad to accept her invi 
 tation, and then both proceeded on their way. It was well for the 
 poor woman that she did not see the sinister smile which darkened 
 liis face, after he had turned his back to her. Little did she dream 
 what dark clouds were rising over her home, threatening to destroy 
 its happiness. They accompanied the horseman so kindly invited 
 by her, and settled on the place as he arrived there. Arthur dis 
 mounted, tied his horse to a post and then looked arouned in quest 
 of the owner of the farm. Presently this person emerged from the 
 liouse. On observing the visitor, a ghastly pallor once more over-
 
 The TrenHt.irr of Monteznma. 53 
 
 spread his face; but he seemed to battle with his consternation 
 with the energy of despair, and finally succeeded so far as to ad - 
 vance towards the other with a faltering step and to say : 
 
 " Ritenas dias, Capitain : what brings yon and what can poov 
 Carlos do for you ?" 
 
 The bandit eyed him for a moment with a glance such as the 
 rattlesnake is said to shoot forth when it is ready to slay its victim. 
 
 " What brings me here, Carlos? " he at length asked with an 
 icy tone. " Surely you must have forgotten your duties and mine. 
 Tell me what did you swear when I received you a member of my 
 band?" 
 
 "To adhere to you in good and evil fortune," the farmer said 
 with an utter hopelessness painful to behold. 
 
 " And what did I swear? " 
 
 "To do the same, and punish me with instant death if yon 
 found me treacherous to you and to my oath." 
 
 "Well, I h nd your memory better than I thought," the robber 
 said with mocking emphasis, folding his hands deliberately on his 
 breast. " And now tell me : What have you to say in your de 
 fence, that might extenuate your treachery, stay my arm and 
 justify me in violating my oath ?" 
 
 The poor farmer quailed under the stern glance of the other. 
 His reasoning powers seemed to leave him completely ; and he felt 
 himself entirely at the mercy of his cruel persecutor. Undoubted 
 ly he was so, at lea.st at this moment, unless he meant to risk a 
 deadly encounter with a man whose strength and prowess he had 
 probably witnessed more than once. 
 
 "Capitain," he finally gasped, "I have to say but little, and 
 what I have to say will have little or no weight with you. I 
 learned to love a woman, her whom you saw here yesterday. It is 
 her happiness and that of little Annetta which your appearance 
 places in jeopardy, and if there is a spark of humanity burning in 
 your bosom, oh! do not destroy the peace of those a thousand 
 times dearer to me than life." 
 
 No mein in the bandit s face showed whether this passionate 
 appeal had touched his heart or not. It was his interest to preserve 
 an austere contenance, for as the reader may well imagine, it was 
 not the poor fellow s life he sought but the use he could draw from
 
 54 The Treasure of Monte3U nwi\ 
 
 his fear. It must be confessed that ( arlo s appeal had stirred him. 
 A few days ago he would probably have sneered at it ; but recently 
 he had learned to love and was therefore in sympathy with a lover s 
 woe. Pretending 1 to relent, he said at last : 
 
 " Well, Carlos, I am not a tiger that I should thirst for blood, 
 and if you prove by your actions that you still adhere tonic, I 
 shall do nothing to destroy your domestic happiness." 
 
 " And what must I do to prove my fidelity to you ? If it is in 
 my power I shall obey -you, for I would sacrifice much to save my 
 loved ones from harm. But this I tell you : you must not ask me 
 to do anything against Father Herbert, for it would be useless. E 
 would rather suffer a thousand deaths; yea, I would rather see rny 
 darlings come to grief, than touch a hair of his head, or suffer 
 others to harm him/ 
 
 The, bandit looked with astonishment upon the man whose face 
 had become radiant under the influence of a noble sentiment. 
 Arthur had seen this unbounded devotion to his relative before, 
 but never had it assumed so striking an aspect. He, himself, had 
 not been able to keep . wholly free from the influence of this re 
 markable man, but his sordid nature was unable to grasp the full 
 grandeur of his character ; so he asked wonderingly : 
 
 " Why, my uncle seems to have bewitched you. What has he 
 done to deserve such boundless devotion ? " 
 
 " What has he not, done V " To tell you all that he has done for 
 the people of this valley, and many thousands outside of it, would 
 take whole days, but this I will say, he has elevated hundreds of 
 thousands from the slavery of cruel masters and the more cruel des 
 potism of evil passions to the dignity of human beings. He has 
 changed care and misery into a happiness, unmarred by want ; yea, 
 almost by sickness, for, by his judicious sanitary regulations, he has 
 succeeded in banishing disease from this happy valley. He is totally 
 free from the love of self, but to indemnify him, an ardent love for 
 him, our common father, burns in the breast of every one of us., 
 Indeed there his voice sank to a wisper, half conjuring, half threat 
 ening) if you love your life, do not breathe to any living soul your 
 designs of harming Father Herbert, if such, perchance, you enter 
 tain. 
 
 The bandit felt like getting angry at what he considered an
 
 The Treasure of Monteznma. 55 
 
 unwarranted liberty on the part of a man who, under ordinary cir 
 cumstances, would not have dared to use such language to him, 
 but hard as he tried, he could not help being impressed by a great 
 ness capable of producing such striking results. So he contented 
 himself by replying : 
 
 "You are a good fellow, Carlos, and my uncle ought to feel 
 very grateful for such friendly feelings ; indeed, I shall not fail to 
 tell him at the first opportunity which offers." 
 
 "Nay, Capitain, you may as well save yourself the trouble, for 
 such sentiments as I have expressed are so common here that 
 you would only be laughed at for your trouble." 
 
 Arthur bit his lips. This fellow, formerly so willing a tool 
 now dared to have an opinion of his own, and, what was worse, to 
 express it. Yet it would not answer to raise a fuss or harm him, so 
 he hastened to change the subject and said : 
 
 "Well, let that rest, Carlos. Nothing is further from my 
 mind than the wish of harming my uncle, nor anybody else, for 
 that matter. You see, I am used to a different style of living from 
 what they follow here. Most of all, I miss my cigars ; in fact, 
 some times my desire for one is so strong that I can hardly bear it. 
 Besides this, I miss my glass of rum. You know we fellows are 
 used to something stronger than this sickening sour wine of which 
 one can swallow a gallon without feeling the effect in either head 
 or stomach. Now I want your assistance in procuring these things 
 for me ; also a place where to enjoy them. That is, in truth, about 
 all I expect of you." 
 
 Carlos seemed somewhat relieved at these words, although it 
 would not have required much discernment to discover that he 
 would rather have seen his captain any other place than the one at 
 which he was. 
 
 "I understand your feelings," he said, scratching his head, 
 "and shall be very glad to help you all I can, but that won t 
 amount to much, I fear. You could ransack the whole settlement, 
 I wager, and not find a hundred weight of tobacco, and those who 
 possess a little, hold on like grim death. You must know, they do 
 not raise any here ; in fact, it is only the older folks that use it at 
 all, and they only secretly, since Father Herbert does not approve 
 of it, saying that it hurts the constitution. Nevertheless, I shall
 
 56 The Treasure, of Montezuma. 
 
 endeavor to get you a few cigars, though, if you mean to remain 
 in Friedensthal, you had better try to learn to do without them." 
 
 "But what about rum ? " 
 
 " AVell, it is neither made nor sold here, but the druggists keep 
 it for medical purposes, and if you are willing to pay a good round 
 price for it, you can procure it, as it is not so much the law as the 
 custom which forbids its usage as a beverage." 
 
 "Ah, I am glad to hear it ; here is money to make your purch 
 ases. But where can I find a place to indulge in this forbidden 
 fruit?" 
 
 "You do not want your uncle s folks to know anything about 
 it?" 
 
 "Of course not; Avhy else should I take such measures of 
 secrecy." 
 
 "In that case, it would not do to drink and smoke here, for Miss 
 Inez is an almost daily visitor, and would be apt to find you out 
 sooner or later. Let me see, well, yes, I think that might do. At 
 the north-western comer of the farm there is a dense cluster of 
 bushes, which is rarely visited by my wife or daughter. There you 
 could hide the rum and tobacco, and indulge whenever you felt 
 like it. Come, I may as well show you the place now." 
 
 He led the bandit to the place indicated : the bushes were in 
 deed very dense and their pricky nature made an entrance rather 
 difficult, except at one side, where a narrow passage led to the 
 center. 
 
 There they found a table and a bench, both in a rather dilapi 
 dated condition, but still fit for use. 
 
 "Why, that answers splendidly," said Arthur, "and when can 
 you get these things for me?" 
 
 " Well, that is hard to say, I shall try this very day, but it may 
 take a week, for all I know. I ll tell you what I shall do. I see 
 there is a drawer in the table, an excellent place to hide the con 
 traband. You may examine it every time you pass here and may 
 rest assured that 1 shall try my very best to put you in possession 
 as soon as possible." 
 
 With this they parted. The farmer looked after the receding 
 figure, and said, shaking his head dubiously : 
 
 "I would give a great deal if this had not happened, but I am
 
 The Treasure of Monteffuma. 57 
 
 only paying the penalty for my past sins, and have therefore no 
 reason to complain. But that this capitain should turn out to be the 
 nephew of Father Herbert. If he should find it out, what would 
 he say; how would he feel? it would make him wretched indeed- 
 No, no, he must never know, if I can help it. I ll try to keep this 
 capitain of mine out of mischief, but if he tries to do harm to him 
 or his, then ." 
 
 He mutterd the last words through his teeth, and his hand 
 clenched involuntarily, while his eyes shot forth glances portend 
 ing little good to the bandit, in case he ventured to disregard his 
 warning. 
 
 When Marguerita returned, half an hour later, her first inquiry 
 was after the handsome young nephew of Mr. Grau. When she 
 learned that he had been there but rejected all offers of hospitality, 
 she expressed her regret in the liveliest terms and could not tire in 
 singing his praise. 
 
 "Clara says," she went on, "he is the very pattern of a gentle 
 man, and pays her the most marked attention. I told her that she 
 must not think of him in that light, as he was probably intended 
 for Miss Inez, but she declares up and down that Miss Inez does 
 not like him a bit and would not marry him if he were the last man 
 in the world." 
 
 "Which shows that she has more sense than both of you," her 
 husband threw in almost sternly. She looked at him surprised at 
 both his words and the manner of uttering them. 
 
 "Thank you for the compliment," she replied and dropped a little 
 mock courtesy. "Not that I want to dispute Inez s good sense, but 
 I think she does not show brilliant proofs of it in this matter. Now 
 confess : is not Sennor Arturo very handsome?" 
 
 "Agreed," but remember, the old adage : "Handsome is what 
 handsome does." 
 
 "Well, what of it, do you mean to insinute that Sennor 
 Arturo does not handsome ? Do you perchance know anything 
 bad about him?" 
 
 "No, no, Marguerita, that is . Of course, I don t," he in- 
 terupted himself, as if startled at his own temerity. 
 
 "Well, then, why do you talk as if you did? I am sure, as 
 far as Clara is concerned, she is good enough for a prince."
 
 58 The Treasure of Monteznma. 
 
 "( i ranting that she is, that does not make this sudden freak of 
 yours and hers any less preposterous. He hasn t been here two 
 days when, presto, she falls in love with him, and my sensible 
 Margarita abets and upholds her in a very foolish notion, which 
 may not merely interfere with the plans of our benefactor, but also 
 wreck her happiness." 
 
 "There it is again ! As if it was a great misfortune to marry a 
 handsome young man with excellent prospects. As to interfering 
 with father Herbert s plans, who thinks of it? His own daughter 
 does not want him, so what difference can it make to him, if he 
 marry Clara? I am sure our family can hold up their heads with 
 the best of them." 
 
 "Clearly infatuated," he muttered between his teeth: "curse 
 the fellow!" Then aloud: "Marguerita, listen to reason. It is 
 unbecoming in your sister to throw herself on the neck of a 
 stranger whom she has only known a day or two. She will rue this 
 haste, and, mark me, so will you, if you aid her in an undertaking 
 which is well nigh madness. At all events, I shall have nothing to 
 do with the scheme. I have done my duty in warning you, and if 
 you, do not heed my words, remember, on your head will fall the 
 responsibility." 
 
 With these words he left her, fearing perhaps to be led into 
 saying more than was compatible with his safety. His words stag 
 gered her a little, for he had rarely spoken so earnestly and im 
 pressively before ; but what weight could the most serious words 
 possibly have upon a woman, bent upon match-making, especially 
 when, as in this case, her own aggrandizement was involved in the 
 scheme? She poohed her conscience into silence by persuading her 
 self that she understood these matters better than her husband, and 
 entered the house with the determination that Clara should have 
 this handsome youth, if any engineering of hers could possibly 
 bring about the match. 
 
 The object of all these schemes had meanwhile sped on his way, 
 and soon reached the woods whose trees loomed in solemn grandeur 
 and majesty into the air. They were not all pines, although that 
 species predominated to such an exten as to impress its character 
 upon the forrest. The trees were mostly of gigantic size creating 
 in many places a semi-obscurity resembling twilight. We know
 
 The Treutni e of Jfontezttnw: 5J) 1 
 
 that our bandit was not very sensitive to the charms of nature ; but 
 no human being, however callous, could ride through these mag 
 nificent woods without being in a measure impressed by their beau- 1 
 ty and grandeur. Nor did Arthur wholly withstand their en 
 nobling influence, although he was probably unconscious of the 
 fact. Nor was this influence a positive one, as it only reached 
 sufficiently far to keep him from evil thoughts and scheming whilst 
 in their midst. His thoughts dwelled almost constantly upon the 
 young girl he had only seen to love her. At that moment he felt 
 only the ardent desire to see her happy, although it was doubtful 
 whether he could have risen to the height of self-deinal to bring 
 about that purpose. lie felt, however, something like regret at 
 the career of wickedness he had run, less on account of its intrinsic 
 sinfulness than on that of the deep gulf it had created between the 
 charming and innocent girl and himself. He felt instinctively that 
 she divined his gross and sullied nature and shrank from him with 
 out knowing why. 
 
 He had thus ridden about a mile, so deeply engrossed in his 
 thoughts, that he hardly heeded where he was or what he did, when 
 suddenly a savage growl in his immediate neighborhood aroused 
 and caused him to look up in surprise. At this place the woods 
 were more than usually dense and, consequently dark, and for a 
 moment he failed to discover the cause of the noise, which increased 
 constantly in volume and fierceness. It seemed to come from on 
 high, and he therefore turned his eyes to the branches of the neigh 
 boring trees, They were so dense that even then he would proba 
 bly have failed to discover the cause of these terrific sounds if the 
 branches had not suddenly begun to shake and bend, thus display 
 ing the body of a powerful puma, which was on the point of mak 
 ing a spring at him. Indeed at this very moment the gigantic cat 
 bounded forth, uttering a cry so savage that even the bravest might 
 well have quailed under it. Arthur s cheek blanched a little, 
 probably more from the suddenness than the ferocity of the onset. 
 Whatever we may think of his moral qualities, it must be con 
 fessed that he was a man of great physical courage, and fully up 
 to the emergency. He had no time to think, hardly to act, but 
 what little respite was left him he put to use with a rapidity and 
 presence of mind to which we cannot deny our recognition.
 
 <>() The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 Never in all his life had his wonderful horsemanship done him 
 such excellent service. Taking his steed well between the knees, 
 he caused it to execute a spring which landed it at least ten feet 
 from the spot where it had stood before, while in the air he felt the 
 body of the puma grazing his sholder, without, however, doing any 
 harm. It was a narrow escape but the young man had no time to 
 congratulate himself upon it, for he knew that the animal would re 
 new the attact. Looking around to see where the puma had landed, 
 he left his horse make another leap which brought the trunk of the 
 tree between him and his adversary. This momentary advantage 
 gave him time to draw his weapon and thus prepare for a second 
 onset. He had taken a rifle with him, but it was not the weapon 
 he could handle to the best advantage. It was the revolver, rather, 
 with which he was an expert. So skilled, indeed, was he in its use 
 that he might safely boast of never missing his mark. The one he 
 had drawn was a forty-eight caliber, a fearful weapon in a practiced 
 hand, and when Arthur s fingers clutched it a smile of assurance 
 and triumph passed over his face. Looking past the tree, he saw 
 the hugh cat crouching on the earth, lashing the ground with it? 
 tail and waiting for an opportunity of making a second spring. 
 The young man was now ready to take the aggressive ; so riding a 
 step to the right, he once more exposed himself to the gaze of the 
 puma, who was not slow to benefit by this chance and once more 
 bounded into the air. Arthur retreated with a spring on his part, 
 and as the animal passed in close proximity, sent a bullet crushing 
 through its skull. The puma half bounded, half fell and struck 
 the ground with great force. Arthur knew too well the tenacity 
 of life possessed by the cat tribe to approach it and therefore sent 
 another bullet into the head of the puma before venturing to 
 handle it. 
 
 He could not help viewing the animal with exultation, for not 
 only was this the largest puma he had ever slain, but he felt a par 
 donable pride at the thought that the circumstances connected with 
 the encounter made his victory doubly a source of gratification. 
 He studied a moment what he should do next, and then having 
 formed his resolution, galloped rapidly to the farm, where he was 
 received with a gracious smile by Marguerita, while her husband 
 felt a pardonable pang over the sudden and unexpected return of
 
 The Treasure of Montezn ma. Gl 
 
 his dubious friend. He felt somewhat relieved, however, when he 
 learned the reason of the second call. He readily entered upon 
 the other s views, hitched up a horse and drove without delay to 
 the spot where the dead puma lay. 
 
 "Whew! What an, ugly customer;" he could not help ex 
 claiming in admiration ; as he perceived the huge carcass stretched 
 on the ground. You are a tough adversary to meet, Capitan." 
 
 "A fact you will bear in mind, I trust," was the dry reply. 
 "Now, lend a hand and help me skin the fellow; it would not do 
 to delay the matter in this hot climate and I would hate to loose 
 this superb skin. I shot him through the head, you see, so there 
 isn t a single bullet hole to mar its beauty." 
 
 The two set to work and in fifteen minutes the brute had been 
 Hayed and the skin deposited in the wagon. As they reached the 
 farm, they found Marguerita standing at the junction of the private 
 road and the highway. She knew that Carlos had agreed to take 
 the skin to the city, and had come thus far to see the trophy of the 
 young man s prowess. She shuddered at the sight ; but, if anything 
 had been wanting to complete the infatuation with which she look" 
 ed upon this young man, the glory of his bold achievement finish 
 ed the nimbus she had already woven around his head. 
 
 The reader must not understand us. We do not mean to insin 
 uate that her admiration of him interfered in the least with the 
 vow of fidelity she had made in favor of her husband. She admir 
 ed, yea loved this hero merely in the interest of her sister, to whom 
 she was attached with a touching fervor. She loved him, as it 
 were, simply by proxy, and was more than ever determined that so 
 much loveliness and valor should fall to no one s share but her sis 
 ter s, if she had anything to say in the matter. 
 
 When the hunter and his trophy arrived at the villa, the in 
 mates were not stingy in their praise. It is in woman s nature to 
 place the idol of her heart upon the pedestal of heroism, and we 
 ueeJ, therefore, not wonder that the new-born fancy of poor Clara 
 was fanned into a fiery flame by this incident. Even Inez felt 
 somewhat softened towards her relative and, though she was far 
 from liking him even then, she could not help giving him credit 
 for the courage and presence of mind which his encounter with the 
 puma had proved him to possess.
 
 62 The Treasure of Mbntezuma. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 DEVELOl EMEXTS. 
 
 We have not time to narrate the incidents of the next week in 
 detail. They did not bring any striking events ; it is rather the 
 under currents which gave it interest, and these we shall endeaver 
 to trace to the best of our ability, although by doing so, we may be 
 obliged to notice traits not very Mattering to human nature. 
 
 As the days passed, Herbert and Inex became gradually acquain- 
 ed with Arthur s character, and what they saw, was not calculated 
 to increase either their esteem or their affection. Of course, they 
 were unable to fathom the full depth of his depravity, for he took 
 good care to hide that as well as possible ; but we discover a cur 
 rent by the smallest blade and can judge a character pretty accur 
 ately by little traits which, though seemingly unimportant in them 
 selves form a striking chain when linked together. Herbert suffer 
 ed under these discoveries like a patient undergoing an operation 
 which, while painful in itself, becomes doubly so by the applica 
 tion of the surgeon s knife day after day and week after week. He 
 was certainly a man of nerve and endurance ; but to thus see the 
 fondest expectation, based on the assertions of a reliable friend, 
 wilting like a valued plant, was almost unindurable. He tried to 
 forget his disappointment by redoubled devotion to the welfare of 
 the colony and frequent journeys to its different parts, but these 
 efforts were much like the taking of opiates for the purpose of 
 stilling pain, the reaction following the narcotic being worse than 
 the momentary relief. It was not so much the discovery of the 
 traces of vice which he had found, as the utter absence of apprecia 
 tion of the grand work for which Herbert had educated and destin 
 ed the young man, that grieved him. The vices he might have 
 corrected, but to instill noble sentiments into an ignoble heart was 
 an almost hopeless task. The young man seemed to have no aim 
 but the immediate gratification of his gross appetities, without a 
 thought of consequence, and, what was worse, a total disregard for 
 the feelings, wishes and rights of others. Not that he had any de 
 sire to enslave them, but his total disregard for their rights was
 
 The Treasure of Monteziuna. 63 
 
 nearly as bad, for in his case his passions were apt to create havoc 
 as the scheming villany of the despot. Herbert felt that it would 
 never do to entrust the welfare of his people to the tender mercy of 
 this youth ; yes, he would have even doubted his right of inflicting 
 his presence upon them, if he had not calculated that they could 
 not always expect to be free from such disturbing influences, and 
 that virtue or innocence untried, is of a doubtful value. The 
 reader will later have an opportunity to look more deeply into the 
 plans of this reformer, and discover that one of his chief aims was 
 to make his people self-reliant and strong, fii withstanding the 
 aggressions of both outward and inward foes, as our passions may 
 well be termed. 
 
 Herbert had found no difficulty in discovering that the acquire 
 ments of youth were on a level with his morals. The former de 
 ficiency, however, he might have pardened more readily, for it was 
 of a nature more easily remedied. An ignorant man might enter 
 into his plans with eagerness ; a depraved one, never. Still, this 
 second disappointment was a sore one. He had been particular in 
 requesting Anton Stamm to see to the careful and thorough instruc 
 tion of his ward in chemistry and engineering, and discovered by a 
 question put now and then, in an apparently causal manner, that 
 the young man did not possess even an elementary knowledge of 
 these branches of science. It was an absolutely insolvable riddle 
 to Herbert, how his friend Stamm, whom he had always known as 
 a man of discrimination, could have been so blind to such enor 
 mous short comings, but the possibility of a fraud practiced upon 
 him by this young man never once entered his mind. The very 
 enormity of the deception prevented such a discovery. He, him 
 self, could not even have conceived a similar deception and, like all 
 great minds, he was totally free from suspicion. It would, of 
 course, have been beyond humane power to prevent these thoughts 
 and feelings from slightly coloring his behaviour towards the young 
 man. Besides, if Herbert was free from suspicion, he was even 
 more so from hypocrisy, and nothing in the world could have in 
 duced him to show the youth an affection he did not feel. Arthur 
 felt that his relative more than suspected both his character and 
 his ignorance, and therefore always experienced a restraint in his 
 presence which he could not entirely conceal. He made it, indeed,
 
 64 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 a point to absent himself from the villa as much as possible, 
 although, by doing so, he deprived himself of the company of the 
 girl that he had learned to love with a passion so absorbing as to 
 force all other feelings into the background. True, he still indulg 
 ed his appetite for ardent spirits to a deplorable extent, and paid 
 numerous visits to Carlos farm for that purpose, but these potations 
 served as much for the purpose of drowning unrequited, and there 
 fore hopeless, as the the more direct gratification of a gross appe 
 tite. Unfortunately his disappointment led him to indulge in an 
 other pastime which, if less injurious to himself, was calculated to 
 destroy the happiness of another person. 
 
 The love which artless Clara had conceived for him was so man 
 ifest and undisguised that it could not well escape the observation 
 of the young man. Far though he was from returning it, he look 
 ed at and talked to the poor girl frequently in a manner well calcu 
 lated to mislead and inspire her with a fallacious hope of an ulti 
 mate realization of her wishes. It evidently gave the unprincipled 
 fellow a grim satisfaction to inflict upon another, though innocent 
 party, the same torture he was enduring. l>ut love is watchful, 
 and the keen eyes of Clara were not slow to discover the ardent 
 glances which Arthur could not forbear from casting upon the sub 
 ject of his passion. Soon the dreadful fiend, jealousy, lodged in the 
 bosom of the poor girl, inflicting tortures inexpressively painful. 
 
 This demon even affected her feelings towards Inez. Fervent 
 ly, though, she had loved her mistress only a few days ago, there 
 were moments now when she hated her. Nothing in Inez s con 
 duct justified her in believing that she returned her cousin s affec 
 tion ; on the contrary, her behaviour towards him was cold and dis. 
 tant. Hut was it not enough that she possessed the love of tin 
 man to whom she had surrendered herself without reserve? The 
 reader may wonder at this sudden infatuation, but if he does, he 
 shows that he is unacquainted with the workings of the human heart 
 especially when this heart beats in the bosom of a Mexican girl, 
 whose fiery nature has not been toned down by culture and educa 
 tion. And Inez herself? She was the prey of conflicting emotions 
 for while the prompting of a generous nature urged her to pity the 
 failings of an erring soul, her high-strung mind refused to overlook 
 foible which, in her estimation, were perfectly inexcusable. She
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 65 
 
 could not help seeing her fathers sad disappointment, and it was 
 this more than anything else which hardened her heart toward this 
 wayward young man. She idolized her father, who, as she believ 
 ed, towered far above all other men, and little chance, indeed, had 
 he of winning her affection who ventured to grieve her father. 
 Inez was a girl considerably above the level of her sex. She was 
 gifted with a mind of wonderful discrimination, and her natural 
 abilities had been heightened by a through and far-reaching educa 
 tion. She spoke German, Spanish, English and French with the 
 fluency of a native, and her knowledge of natural science and other 
 branches were by no means to be dispised. In addition to this 
 her mind had preserved the entire buoyancy and simplicity of a 
 child, and her body had, by the judicious training of a wise father, 
 received a grace, strength and elasticity increasing greatly her 
 natural charms. We can hardly blame her cousin for conceiving 
 for her so absorbing a passion, though we cannot but marvel at the 
 presumption of hoping against hope for a return of his feelings. 
 
 These were the main undercurrents we spoke of, and having 
 traced them here in slight outlines, we are ready to take up once 
 more the thread of our story. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE BIGGER RASCAL OF THE TWO. 
 
 It was about six weeks after the arrival of Arthur, when a tele 
 gram was handed to Herbert which seemed to arouse his curoisity 
 in no small degree. He mused, shook his head and evidently in 
 clined to reply negatively to the message, whatever that may have 
 been. On second thought, however, he changed his mind, mutter 
 ing to himself : "No, let him come. We cannot expect to be spared 
 such trials, and to meet them makes us strong. Yes, let him 
 come." 
 
 "Philip Grau," he continued soliloquizing, "what memories 
 that name arouses in my mind. Once more I see his father, the
 
 66 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 friend who destroyed the peace and happiness of my youth. I see 
 his mother, so dear to me that all these long years have not been 
 able to efface her image from rny mind. For her .sake, if from 
 nothing else, I ought to show hospitality to her son. And yet, I 
 fear, he takes after his father ; perhaps outstrips him in those 
 diabolical traits of character which caused me years of intense suf 
 fering." 
 
 Unfolding a paper, he read : You wish the pen picture of 
 Philip Grau ? Very well, here it is : Philip Grau, or rather Yon 
 Grau, as he calls himself now, the King having enobled his family, 
 is no ordinary man, but his whole nature is saturated with so mon 
 strous an egotism that he becomes not merely useless, but absolutely 
 dangerous to mankind. His own interest being the only guiding 
 star, he tramples down everything in his way with the most un 
 scrupulous indifference. I verily believe that he would spare 
 neither father nor mother if they stood in the way to some cherish 
 ed object. You can easily see how dangeroug a man he become by 
 the very mental power which, if coupled with a different disposi 
 tion, might have been of much service to the world. Moreover, 
 Philip Grau is a perfect master in the art of dissimulation, which 
 make him, if possible, more dangerous yet. In the eyes of the 
 world he stands fairer than any of his neighbors. Besides holding 
 one of the highest positions of his State, he is known to be a favor 
 ite of the Emperor, to whom he rendered important diplomatic ser 
 vices in the late war. Indeed, it is currently reported, and probab 
 ly true, that he will soon be called to till one of the most important 
 places of the empire. If ever he should cross your path, beware of 
 cunning, especially when he approaches you with protestations of 
 friendship and devotion. The safest course would be to crush him 
 under foot like a venemous serpent, which, in truth, he i-esembles 
 more than any other creature." 
 
 There was more writing in the letter, but Herbert folded it, laid 
 it away and abandoned himself to long and deep reflections. At 
 last he looked up and said resolutely : "It must be. I hate to 
 poison her young mind with an insight into the character of this 
 modern Machiavelly, but the laws of self-preservation demand it. 
 Inez is the only treasure I have saved out of this family tragedy, 
 and I cannot allow this Philip to infatuate her trustful soul with 
 his artful wiles."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 67 
 
 He was on the point of rising, when his daughter peeped through 
 the half-open door and said : " Am I intruding papa? " 
 
 "No child, I was just on the point of looking for you. Sit 
 down. I wish to speak to you." 
 
 She took a chair beside him, and then said expectantly : 
 
 . " Well, papa, what is it? " 
 
 " Did I ever speak to you about a certain Philip Grau ? " 
 
 " You mean cousin Philip ? Yes, papa, you mentioned his name 
 more than once." 
 
 " Well, this very Philip is now at the outer falls asking for 
 admittance. 
 
 "Is it possible ? " she interjected. 
 
 " Inez," he continued gravely and impressively ; " I have good 
 reasons to believe this man to be bad and treacherous ; yea, unprinci 
 pled to an extraordinary degree. Much as I dislike to mention 
 this to you, I deem it my imperative duty to give you a clue to his 
 true character, and thus enable you to defend yourself successfully 
 against his arts." 
 
 " But, father, if this man is so wicked, why not refuse him 
 admittance." 
 
 " I have thought it well over, Inez. At first I felt very much 
 inclined to pursue the course you now suggest ; but on second 
 thought I rejected the expedient as cowardly and unworthy of the 
 great ideas I am working out. If they have vitality, they can and 
 will surely outlive and withstand the machinations of a single man, 
 let him be ever PO bad and artful. The moment is near at hand 
 when the barriers which separate us from the world will fall, and it 
 is proper that our people, as well as our institutions, should come 
 in contact with and learn to battle against foes more dangerous and 
 formidable than this man can ever be. I have no doubt that Philip 
 Grau will try to undermine me, and to get possession of the riches 
 he probably imagines me to possess, but these attempts I fear not, 
 for I know him and think I can parry all his thrusts. There is 
 only one point where I am vulnerable, Inez, and that is you. This 
 man is polished, child, and few women have been able to resist his 
 charms. If I thought he could endanger the tranquility of your 
 heart I would drive him from my threshold like a mangy cur."
 
 68 The Treasure of Monteztcnia. 
 
 Herbert had evidently become excited ; so Inez laid her hand 
 soothingly upon his arm and said : 
 
 " Fear not, father, I shall be on my guard ; but if this man is 
 as bad as you think or know ; if his visit puts your life in peril, I, 
 on my part, protest against his admittance." 
 
 "Nay, child, I have nothing to fear. What can he do against 
 me, surrounded by legions of faithful friends, as I am ? Let him 
 discharge his arrows, they will fall harmless at my feet, or per 
 chance, pierce the heart of him who sent them. I only fear for 
 you, my daughter, and if you wish it, I shall close the door against 
 this man." 
 
 " Not for my sake, father. I would be unworthy to be called 
 your daughter if I shirked a danger you can brave. Admit this 
 Philip Grau, and you will see that I, too, need not fear the ex 
 posure to trials and temptations." 
 
 She looked so grand in the consciousness of her strength and 
 fortitude that he could not help drawing her into his embrace and 
 imprinting a kiss upon her brow. 
 
 " Very well, then, Inez," he said ; "I shall do as you say, and 
 trust the moment will never come which will cause me to regret this 
 step." 
 
 With these words he walked to the instrument and wired the 
 message granting the admittance of the applicant." 
 
 What will come of it? Will he indeed, rue this step? Only 
 the future can tell, and to it we therefore refer the reader, if 
 he is not too impatient to await the unrolling of events as they 
 follow each other in natural succession. 
 
 We must now beg the reader to go back with us to the night 
 of the robbery, and the little inn where it was perpetrated. The 
 traveler slept long and deeply, and when, at length, he awoke, he 
 did not seem to know where he was. After rubbing his eyes 
 awhile in evident bewilderment, and staring around in ludircous 
 confusion, a ray of comprehension suddenly broke from his eyes ; 
 he raised himself partly on his elbow and said : 
 
 "Ah, now I know where I am. This is the grand hotel of 
 the Santa Mad re, in the still greater State of Mexico. Verily, I
 
 The Treasure of Montesuma. 69 
 
 do not see what attractions it possessed in the eyes of Cortez, whom 
 I always considered a pretty smart chap, unless it was gold, the 
 same magnet which drew me into this nasty land of the greasers. I 
 suppose, he got his share, and it is to be hoped that my martyrdom 
 will be rewarded iii a like substantial manner. "But where are my 
 clothes? " he contined, assuming a sitting posture ; "I am sure I 
 put them on this chair, and now ah, here they lie on the floor. I 
 must have been very tired to tumble them about in this fashion. I 
 wonder how late it is ; why, even the watch must have tumbled 
 out, and yet I see no trace of it. My papers too, are missing, and, 
 what is stranger still, my saddle-bag. Can it be that I have been 
 robbed? By jupiter, that would be a pretty kettle of fish ; curse 
 it. Probably my worthy host is at the bottom of this ; but wait, 
 my fine fellow, you shall pay for this rascality or my name is not 
 Philip Grau." 
 
 The man was by this time fully aroused. He dressed with 
 feverish haste, and stepping out, began to thunder against the land 
 lord s door, who was still slumbering sweetly, unconscious of 
 the storm ready to burst over his devoted head. The knocks, how 
 ever, soon awakened him, and he made his appearance in a costume 
 which might be called primitive without the imputation of exagera- 
 tion. The traveler overwhelmed him with a perfect avalanche of 
 invectives and reproaches ; but, as they were uttered in German 
 and the host understood nothing but a wretched Spanish patois, he 
 failed for a long while to comprehend the rage of his guest. It 
 was indeed, more by signs than words that the truth finally dawned 
 on him. The disappearance of the traveler s baggage and the dis 
 covery of the abscence of the mule forced upon him the conviction 
 that his guest had been robbed under his roof. Then he was not 
 slow in overwhelming the stranger on his part with a flood of ex 
 cuses and consolations, which the latter failed to understand and 
 which would probably have missed their purpose if he had under 
 stood them. 
 
 After wasting some ten minutes in these idle expostulations, it 
 struck mine host that the time might perhaps be more profitably 
 employed in efforts to catch the thief, and thus recover the 
 plunder. He spoke eagerly with his oldest son, a lad of about 
 thirteen or fourteen, who nodded in reply, and then set off with
 
 70 The Treasure of Montezunia. 
 
 ,the rapidity of a grey hound. After that the. landlord endeavored 
 to explain to the stranger the measures he had taken in his interest, 
 but the latter understood merely the word " alcade," which he 
 knew to mean magistrate. From this he concluded that the boy 
 had been sent to inform the nearest bailiff or constable, and that 
 he could do nothing better than await further developments with 
 such patience as he could muster. This was not an easy task, for 
 not only seemed endless the time which elapsed before the arrival 
 of the dignitary, but he had read too much of the tardy and clumsy 
 manner of administering justice in that country to expect much 
 from him after his arrival. 
 
 Nor was he mistaken. When the alcade appeared on the ground, 
 he proceeded to take testimony which lead to but meager results, 
 since the principal witness was incapable of answering one single 
 question. The traveler could not discover any effort on the part of 
 the fellow to pursue the thief or thieves ; all he did was to talk, 
 and of this he put in such a super abundance that the stranger gave 
 up all hopes of recovering his property, and confined his efforts to 
 an attempt to get out of the dilemma into which this robbery had 
 thrown him. There he was in a strange country, whose language 
 he did not understand, without money, papers or means of continu 
 ing his journey. He asked the alcade as well as he could, if there 
 was not an American or Englishman in- the neighborhood. It took 
 the thick-headed fellow half an hour to understand, and when this 
 at last was the case, he only answered in the negative. The 
 traveler reflected a moment and then requested the alcade to lead 
 him to the nearest priest. On hearing the word padre, the fellow 
 nodded eagerly and bade the son of the inn-keeper conduct the 
 Sennor to that holy man. The distance was fortunately not 
 much over a mile. The padre was up, and just on the point of 
 eating his frugal breakfast, when the pair arrived. He politely 
 invited the Sennor to share his meal when the little guide had com 
 municated to him the events of the night. The stranger gladly 
 accepted, for he had not broken fast that morning. After the meal 
 was over, the two men tried for a long time to understand each 
 other, but failed, until the stranger, in shear despair, tried latin. 
 At this the face of the priest lit up ; he responded in the same 
 language, and before many more minutes knew the stranger s 
 story and wishes.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 71 
 
 " It is fortunate for thee, mi amice," he said with a compla 
 cent smile, "that thou didst meet me, and not one of my confra- 
 tres, for mighty little latin do most of them know, excepting per 
 haps the text of the mass. So thou hast friends in the Capital, who 
 can help thee, thou sayest?" 
 
 "Even so, pater, and rich and powerful friends they are too, 
 who will amply reward him who sends me to them." 
 
 "It will be a long and tedious journey, mi fili. I wish I had 
 the means to assist thee, but small indeed is my share of the treas 
 ures of this world." 
 
 You don t mean to intimate that you will abandon me to my 
 fate?" The stranger asked, greatly alarmed. 
 
 "Nay, thou art too hasty in thy conclusions. I only meant to 
 say that I am sorry I am not able to furnish thee with abundant 
 means to travel comfortably and speedily. I have been thinking 
 the matter over and have come to the conclusion that the best plan 
 will be to give thee a letter of introduction to the priest of the next 
 parish, who will entertain thee and send thee to his neighbor, until 
 thou reachest places where the telegraph will enable thee to com 
 municate with thy friends and invoke their assistance." 
 
 The stranger accepted these propositions with thanks, where 
 upon the good priest at once wrote and handed him the letter. 
 
 "Be without fear, mi fili," he said "thou wilt not find the 
 patres all scholars, but thou wilt find them all possessed of humane 
 hearts and if thou wilt only compose thyself in patience, thou wilt 
 surely, if slowly, reach the Capital." 
 
 The stranger thanked him warmly and departed. We have 
 neither time nor inclination to accompany him on his slow, long 
 and tedious journey to the Capital, which he reached just thre 
 weeks after the night of the robbery. The fatigue of the journey 
 cast him on the sick bed, which chained him a full week, while it 
 took him another to regain his former strength and buoyancy. It 
 was therefore exactly five weeks after his introduction to the reader 
 that we see him start once more for the same goal. This time he 
 took the shortest route to the Pacific Ocean, where he boarded a 
 coasting vessel which conveyed him safely to the Rio Frio. He pur 
 sued the same course which we saw the bandit take, and finally turn 
 the lever in accordance with the directions of the letter. As in the
 
 72 The Treasure of Montezunw. 
 
 former instance, the cataract ceased to flow and the moutain opened; 
 but when he demanded admittance, he received the reply that 
 they had no instructions to admit any strangers, and that he would 
 have to tarry outside until they could ask for instructions. He 
 had found it difficult to make the redskins understand, and would 
 probably have failed altogether, if one young indian had not spo 
 ken and understood a little German. "Tell Mr. Grau that his 
 nephew Philip Grau, wants to see him," he told him, when sudden 
 ly the rocks closed and the waters once more began to fall leaving 
 him in no enviable state of mind. What if this relative refused 
 him admittance? In his innermost heart he could not conceal from 
 himself the fact that such a course would only be in accordance 
 with the dictates of prudence, and felt convinced that his relative 
 would surely act in obedience to them, if he knew the motives of 
 the visitor. We know better ; we have witnessed the conversation 
 between father and daughter which decided the question of his ad 
 mittance, and understand the reasons inducing Herbert to tolerate 
 his crafty kinsman in spite of the evil that might possibly spring 
 from his presence. Of these reasons, however, Philip Grau had no 
 knowledge, and we need therefore not wonder at the suspense and 
 anxiety with which he awaited the decisive answer. 
 
 It came sooner than he had dared to hope; for thirty minutes 
 had hardly elapsed since the closing of the rocks, when they once 
 more opened and the indian beckoned him to approach. Philip 
 ascended the rocks, but, while doing so, he cast his ghinces on his 
 surroundings with a keenness apt to take in the most minute details 
 He noticed that the swinging rocks were in reality massive gates, 
 with an irregular outer surface on which moss-covered rocks were 
 painted with great fidelity. They hung on hinges which, in turn, 
 had been soldered into the solid rock. The cavity seemed natural, 
 although the visitor s sharp eyes could here and there discover 
 traces of the chisel which had probably been used to improve the 
 work of nature. The process of blindfolding, which now followed, 
 did not suit Philip at all, because it hindered him from such obser 
 vations as he was anxious to make. He submitted, however, with 
 apparent good humor, trusting to his ears for any discoveries possi 
 ble under the circumstances. Like Arthur, he judged from the 
 loud echo of their steps that they were traversing a subterranean
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 73 
 
 passage, but, unlike him, he endeavored to form an accurate idea 
 of its length by counting his steps while the echo lasted. In this 
 way he was led to think that the underground passage was about a 
 quarter of a mile long. When the bandage was taken from his 
 eyes, he once more began to gaze around with the keenest attention. 
 We need not describe a second time the wonderful beauty of the 
 scenery ; but we must state that the high degree of development 
 struck Philip much more forcibly than his brother, because his was 
 a thinking mind, and he was able to appreciate the mental force 
 necessary to create such an Eden out of a wilderness. At the 
 same time, however, he thought of the monetary resources neces 
 sary to accomplish such marvels, and then it was that his eyes 
 assumed a weird lustre and betrayed a greed terrible in its intensity. 
 
 When he learned that he could not reach the residence of his 
 relatives before nine o clock, he resolved to remain in Lakevtew 
 over night. The reader must not imagine that he was led to this 
 resolution by any consideration for his uncle, but because the dark 
 ness of the night would prevent him from making observations. 
 He also felt that he required a little more time to prepare for meet 
 ing a man of whose character he had no knowledge, excepting the 
 clue which the letter had given him. He had just entered upon his 
 kinsman s dominion but he had already seen enough to convince 
 him that, if he was a rich man, he was undoubtedly also an ex 
 traordinary one, who could not be trifled with and who would 
 surely demand a plausible explanation of this unsolicited visit. 
 Philip thought until his head ached but finally came to the conclu 
 sion that a preconcerted plan was, after all, impracticable and that 
 he must allow himself to be governed by circumstances. He had a 
 dim conviction that his relative would see through any pretense of 
 affectation, and that an open avowal of self-interest would be per 
 haps the safest plan he could pursue. 
 
 On the following morning, after dispatching a hasty breakfast, 
 he boarded the train and started for Montezuma, where Father 
 Herbert, as everybody called him, lived. Philip was prepared for 
 strange things, but what he saw surpassed his boldest expectations 
 so far that he became the prey of a bewilderment bordering on 
 stupification. His mind was, as it were, in a turmoil of confusion, 
 through which only one distinct thought was capable of taking
 
 74 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 a compact form : that of the colossal fortune which lay at the bot 
 tom of this creation. It was nine o clock when the train reached 
 Montezuma. On inquiring for the residence of Mr. Herbert Grau, 
 the people looked in wonderment at the betrayal of such ignorance 
 and then informed him that he lived on Laura Street. The street 
 cars, they added, would take him to the house. These cars, 
 accordingly, he boarded and ten minutes later stood on the porch 
 of Herbert s villa. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 FENCING. 
 
 "Show the Sennov in, Clara," Herbert said as the girl handed 
 him a card, and a minute later Philip Grau was ushered into the 
 office. The two men cast a searching glance at each other, and we 
 may as well pause a moment and chronicle what Herbert saw. Philip 
 Grau resembled his brother in height and form, although he was far 
 from possessing the latter s outlines. His forehead was high but 
 narrow, his eyes were of the color and coldness of steel, his lips 
 were thin but displayed fine theeth when he smiled, which was 
 pretty generally the case, his smile, however, was not insipid, as 
 such stereotyped smiles are apt to be, but rather sardonic, although 
 nothing was probably more remote from the man than the inten 
 tion of giving it that expression. He wore burnsides but the rest 
 of the face was shaven with a scrupulous care, which even the 
 rough nature of his journey had been unable to efface. He was clad 
 in a fashionable traveling suit and, taking it all in all, Philip Grau 
 was a fine looking man, who had found much favor with the fe 
 male sex. He had evidently the manners, of a polished gentleman, 
 and the open, manly bearing with Avhich he now approached Her 
 bert had something winning. 
 
 " Mr. Grau, I presume," he said with a bow. "But nay, I am 
 sure of it, for the likeness between you and my grand-uncle s pic 
 ture at home is too striking to permit any doubt. May I, then,
 
 The Tiraxitre of Monteztoiui. 75 
 
 claim the privileges of consanguinity, and ask for a short term of 
 hospitality under your roof ? " 
 
 "It would not have required.the advancement of such claims 
 to secure such a favor," Herbert replied coldly though politely, 
 motioning him to a chair. May I ask what brought you to this 
 remote quarter of the world ? 
 
 "My king entrusted to me a message to the Mexican Govern 
 ment. I had been working hard and needed recreation ; so when I 
 asked for this mission, I received at once his gracious consent. I 
 need not hide from you the fact that the desire of making the 
 acquaintance of the mysterious Mexican uncle was the chief motive 
 in making this request. I had heard so much of your marvelous 
 doings, of your fabulous 
 
 " Wealth," Herbert suggested coolly. 
 
 " Yes, wealth, uncle," the other said laughing frankly ; "thank 
 you for prompting me. It is natural that your fabulous riches 
 should lend you a charm in the eyes of a needy nephew which 
 might have been wanting under other circumstances. You see, 
 I am candid, and do not wish to sail under a false flag. I have 
 already seen enough this morning to admire you. To assure you 
 that I love you would expose me to your just suspicions and, what 
 is worse, contempt, All I ask, is to give me a chance of adding 
 affection to respect, and if I or my abilities, small though they are, 
 can be of any use to you during my sojourn here, I trust you will 
 .not hesitate to command me." 
 
 "Your remarks are sensible and quite relieve me. Perhaps 
 you are aware that my relations to your father were not the most 
 cordial, and I am glad that you ask for no considerations on that 
 score. You ll have to stand on your own merit, and, if you show 
 yourself worthy of my regard, you may be sure that it will not be 
 withheld." 
 
 " Thank you, uncle; though I am sure that my father had no ill 
 feeling against you whatever. He always 
 
 "Let that rest, Philip," Herbert interrupted him calmly, but 
 decisively ; " I, for my part, have no feelings whatever on that 
 subject. Tell me rather something about Anton Stamm s last 
 hours, Arthur s account of his death was so meager and unsatis 
 factory that I would like to get some more particulars."
 
 76 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "You had a letter from cousin Arthur?" asked Philip in sur 
 prise. 
 
 "No letter; but am I to understand from your remarks that 
 you are ignorant of your cousin s whereabouts?" 
 
 "I surely am, unless he is where I left him three months ago, 
 at home." 
 
 Instead of answering, Herbert rang the bell. "Clara," he said 
 to the entering girl, "beg Arthur to favor me with his presence in 
 the office." 
 
 After this he remained silent, a behavior for which Philip men 
 tally gave him fervent thanks. The astounding information he 
 had just now received was certainly sufficient to upset the balance 
 of mind of the most self-possessed person in the world. If Her 
 bert had spoken to him he would have to remain mute or answered 
 like an idiot. Arthur here! All his scheming for nothing. He 
 was even too dumbfounded to feel angry at the frustration of his 
 cherished hopes and plans. Arthur here, and with him undoubt 
 edly the news of the stolen letter. Of course the theft could not 
 well be traced to him, but he surely would be caught in a web of 
 lies. For once this cunning and ready man was nonplussed. He 
 sat there as in a maze, incapable of forming a plan ; incapable even 
 of thinking, except the one terrible thought of an ignominious ex 
 posure staring him in the face. The idea that the robber could 
 possibly have benefited by the stolen letter and attempted to play 
 the role of the expected ward, of course never entered his mind, 
 and he was therefore fully justified in deeming a disgraceful expos 
 ure unavoidable, and close at hand. If ever anybody was subject 
 ed to mental torture, Philip was. The few minutes elapsing be 
 fore the appearance of the person expected seemed to him like 
 ages. At last the door opened and the stately figure of the bandit 
 came into view. For a moment the wonderful likeness between 
 him and the party he represented deceived even the keen sighted 
 Philip, and, with a suppressed groan he arose, with the inten 
 tion of shortening the expected humiliation by a confession, when 
 the voice of the person entering caused him to stop and listen. 
 
 "Good morning, Uncle," he heard him say; "Here I am. 
 What can I do for you? " 
 
 That was not his cousin s voice, with whom he had been long
 
 The Treasure of Montezuiiia. 77 
 
 and intimately acquainted. But, if he was not his cousin whence 
 this wonderful resemblance? Suddenly the truth flashed upon 
 him. This fellow could be nobody but his wayward brother, who 
 had run away from home to avoid the discipline of a stern father. 
 Of course, Philip did not guess the whole truth, but he had dis 
 covered enough to obtain the material for an escape from this fear 
 ful dilemma. If this man was his brother, he was an impostor who 
 would hardly dare to expose Philip s duplicity. On the contrary 
 he would be apt to play into Philip s hand. He recovered his self- 
 possession with a rapidity which we must needs admire, in spite of 
 the badness of the cause for which it was exercised. Without 
 waiting for any explanation or introduction on the part of Herbert, 
 he sprang to his feet and rushing to where Arthur stood, drew that 
 young man into his embrace with an impetuosity truly startling. 
 
 "Cousin Arthur!" he cried in a voice so joyful that a casual 
 observer might really have thought he had found his dearest friend. 
 "Is it possible? Little did I dream of this unexpected pleasure. 
 I thought you had intended to remain at home another year. But 
 what is the matter old fellow? You look actually as it Philip 
 Grau s face had escaped your memory." 
 
 Arthur at length succeeded in recovering from his surprise, 
 which, as the reader may well imagine, was hardly less than his 
 brother s. His first feeling had been that of infinite disgust, for 
 he had never born his brother much affection. Philip had played 
 towards him the role of an exacting mentor, and really been one of 
 the causes which had led him to form the desperate plan of run 
 ning away from home. He could not help showing this feeling on 
 his face but the wondering questions of his would-be cousin re 
 minded him of the danger of betraying his feelings to the obser 
 vant eyes of Herbert, and, entering upon the others views, he re 
 plied with feigned delight : 
 
 "Is it a wonder, cousin Philip, when you surprise a fellow in 
 this manner, and almost squeeze him to death? I am awful glad 
 to see you, but at a loss to comprehend how you succeeded in 
 forcing the bai-riers of this Eldorado. 
 
 "So you have forgotten our spree," Philip replied laughingly 
 "when you insisted upon my reading a certain letter which a cer-
 
 The Treasure of flfontezuma. 
 
 tain Mexican uncle sent you? Well, the fact is, you were pretty 
 far gone then and I had to coach you home." 
 
 An expression of pain passed over Herbert s face, but the ex 
 planation was perfectly in keeping with the present conduct of his 
 nephew, and therefore found a ready credence with him. He arose 
 and said : 
 
 "Arthur, take Philip to the room opposite yours, and supply 
 him with all things necessary for refreshing himself after his jour 
 ney. I shall meanwhile inform my daughter Inez of your arrival, 
 and give orders to lay another plate for dinner." Arthur obeyed, 
 and led the other from the office. In silence they traversed the 
 hall. In silence they ascended the stairs, and only when the door 
 of the apartment, intended for the new guest, had closed upon them 
 was this silence broken. Strange to say, it was Arthur who broke 
 it first. Turning sharply on his brother he inquired, with ill-dis 
 guised vexation : 
 
 "AVhat the devil deos this mean? What brings you to this for 
 lorn place?" 
 
 "I might return that inquiry, but prefer to vary it a little. 
 How did you get here? It is a mystery to me." 
 
 Arthur laughed contemptuously. 
 
 "I think, if we compare notes, we will discover a striking simi 
 larity between our cases, I stole my credentials 011 the highway, 
 and you by proxy." 
 
 Philip winced slightly under these words and the look accom 
 panying them, and said coldly : 
 
 "I do not understand you." 
 
 "Oh, yes, you do ; or rather you will when I mention the name 
 of Bertha." 
 
 The other started and a palor overspread his face. 
 
 "What do you know about Bertha?" he hissed between his 
 teeth. " Ah, I comprehend now. You are the rascal who robbed 
 me. A delightful discovery ; my brother a highway robber on the 
 Mexican roads." 
 
 An angry flush overspread Arthur s face. "See here," he said, 
 scowling savagely at his brother ; "be careful in your words : I am 
 past the age when I had to endure your sermons. Nor can I see the
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 79 
 
 difference between stealing: on the highway and in one s uncle s, 
 house." 
 
 " There again. You stole ray papers and if you know what is 
 good for you, you will return them at once." 
 
 The other crossed his arms and said contemptuously : 
 
 " That is right, threaten ; I know of no other way that would 
 accomplish your purpose more quickly." 
 
 Philip felt like resenting his brother s insolence, but knew, also, 
 that he was powerless to cary out any threats he might utter, and 
 therefore merely bit his lips and said more civilly : 
 
 Well, these papers are no earthly use to you ; so you may as 
 well return them to me." 
 
 " Ah, you sing in a different key now, and if I still had the 
 papers I would as lief return them as not." 
 
 " Had them ! " Philp exclaimed in an alarmed tone ; " I trust 
 you were not silly enough to give them to anybody here ? " 
 
 " You only do me justice by giving me that much credit for 
 sagacity." 
 
 " What the duce did you do with them, then? " 
 
 " I destroyed them, of course. They were of no value to me, 
 and you surely do not think me silly enough to keep papers apt to 
 convict me in case of capture ? True, these Mexican detectives 
 are not very formidable, but a wise man never challenges fate." 
 
 Philip had to content himself with this explanation, which, as 
 we know, was only partly true. 
 
 " Now tell me the lay of the land," he said ; "I am a total 
 stranger, you see, and would like to learn the reefs and sandbanks, 
 to avoid being wrecked. First as to uncle Herbert ; what sort of a 
 man is he ? " 
 
 " A fool, though on a grand scale, I must confess." 
 
 " Raves about equal rights and that sort of thing, eh ? " 
 
 " Exactly. He could live like a prince in London or Paris, in 
 stead of which he hurries himself in this wilderness, and allows 
 himself to be called daddy by ever fool." 
 
 "But how is it about this grand possession, does he really own 
 the valley ? " 
 
 I haven t troubled myself much about these matters, but I
 
 80 The Treasure of Montesuma. 
 
 think he owns it all, having purchased the valley from the Gov 
 ernment for five millions of dollars." 
 
 " Whew ! " was Philip s only reply. 
 
 " He won t have it much longer, though," Arthur continued ; 
 for in less than a year they will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniver 
 sary of the founding of this colony, and on that occasion he, uncle 
 Herbert, intends to deed everything to the people, and deliver the 
 entire management into their hands." 
 
 Philip gave a startled look, and said excitedly : "The lunatic ! 
 If I had him in Germany I would have him declared noncompos- 
 mentis ; but even here there must be means of preventing such 
 madness. It seems my coming here was truly providential. But to 
 proceed ; does his wife coincide with him in these points?" 
 
 " Uncle Herbert is a widower." 
 
 "So much the worse, for in a prudent wife we would have 
 found an ally. But he spoke of a daughter. What sort of a 
 creature is she?" As Authur remained silent, he continued : 
 
 " Oh, you need not fear to tell the truth, for your communica 
 tions are safe with me. Come now ; she is as ugly as a mud fence, 
 is she not? " Arthur merely shook his head. 
 
 "What! Handsome? So much the better ; a little flirtation 
 Avill help to pass the time at this dull place. I must polish up my 
 rusty gallantry for the benefit of this belle of the backwoods." 
 
 At these words a sudden and terrible change came over the 
 bandit. 
 
 " No you won t," he hissed, bending over the other and holding 
 his clenched fist threatingly before his face. " If you know what 
 is good for you, you will certainly undertake no such thing, for it 
 would surely bring about a conflict from which only one of us 
 would come forth alive. 
 
 For a moment Philip was so startled at this sudden and unex 
 pected outburst of passion, that he was at a loss to comprehend it. 
 He stared at him in dumb wonderment, until at last the truth 
 dawned upon him. 
 
 " Ah," he said with a forced laugh ; " I understand ; a passion 
 at first sight. Well that alters the case, of course. You need fear 
 no interference on my part."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 81 
 
 "I would not advise you to try any," Arthur said, still glower 
 ing on the other. 
 
 " And you are a favorite suitor ? " Philip inquired. 
 
 " I would give ten years of my life if I could say yes ; " his 
 brother muttered. 
 
 "What, in spite of your beauty and stateliness? Your lady 
 must be hard to please. Come, give me a little sketch of your 
 adorer. 
 
 The other shook his head. "I could not do her justice," he 
 said meekly ; " wait till you see her. But it is getting late. You 
 had better wash and dress, if you want to be ready for dinner." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 COMPLICATIONS. 
 
 AVhen the brothers entered the parlor an hour later, they found 
 both father and daughter awaiting them. If Philip had really in 
 tended to treat the latter to some shallow compliments, the first 
 sight of her induced him to abandon the idea. There she stood, 
 dressed in a snowy white ; so commanding in her stateliness, yet so 
 charming in her freshness, purity and a loveliness that he at once 
 compi ehended the passion his brother had conceived for her, and 
 involuntarily felt a secret satisfaction at what Arthur had said 
 about his hopelessness of success. He had no time, however, to 
 follow up such thoughts, for even Herbert said then : 
 
 "Philip, this is my daughter Inez ; I have told her who you are, 
 and that you mean to tarry with us for a while." 
 
 Whatever the reader may think of Philip s character, there is 
 no doubt that he possessed the manners of a gentleman. Nothing 
 could have been more charming than the mingled cordiality and 
 respect with which he approached her. Holding out his hand to 
 her, he said : " I can hardly tell you how much pleasure it gives 
 me to make the acquaintance of a cousin of whose Jvery existence I 
 was ignorant. May I ask you to take me on trust a little while 
 and afterwards treat me according to my merits?"
 
 82 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "That seems to be a very fair proposition, sir, unless you play 
 possum on us," she replied, laying her hand in his and looking at 
 him with a steady gaze. 
 
 " Excuse my ignorance," he replied with a laugh ; "I neither 
 know what a possum is nor how it plays." 
 
 "Possum stands for opossum," she explained gravely ; it often 
 pretends to be dead when it is full of life, and in many other ways 
 endeavors to deceive us." 
 
 " Well, if that is all," he answered laughing gaily, " I promise 
 most solemnly that I shall not play possum. I stand in too great 
 an awe of Mr. Ilattlebones, to pretend being in his clutches before 
 my time." 
 
 "Well, if you stand in .such great awe of Hans MOTS , you 
 will be glad to learn that you will now have an opportunity of pro 
 longing life ; dinner is ready." 
 
 During the meal, Philip proved himself so entertaining a com 
 panion that Herbert and Inez could not help admiring his social 
 talents. Arthur, on the other hand, chafed under this display, for 
 he feared that the gifts of his brother might put him altogether in 
 the .shade. He was therefore glad when the meal was over, and 
 Inez retired to her domestic duties. The gentlemen went to the 
 office, where Philip continued to converse with Herbert in his 
 clever w r ay. When his uncle, after a while, expressed his regret 
 at being obliged to leave them on business, Philip eagerly inquired 
 Avhether it was of such a nature as to forbid his presence. On 
 learning that it was not, he begged and obtained permission to ac 
 company his uncle. Arthur declined their invitation to join them. 
 He saddled his horse and rode out to his retreat to drown his vexa 
 tion with rum. There we leave him to accompany the others on 
 their trip. If Arthur had failed to take sufficient interest in 
 Friedensthal and its doings, Philip, on the contrary, showed an 
 interest so feverish and restless as to be equally annoying. He 
 wanted to know everything he saw, and never ceased his inquires 
 until he had secured a perfect understanding. Nor were his ques 
 tions idle or foolish, and although Herbert knew very well that 
 selfish motives lay at the bottom of this curiosity, he could not well 
 refuse to give the information sought so diligently and intelligently. 
 More than one sigh escaped him at the thought of Arthur s indif-
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 83 
 
 ference, and more than once he formed the mental wish that his 
 ward had an equal desire of increasing his stock of knowledge. 
 
 "Besides asking questions, Philip trusted to his eyes for gain 
 ing information. He saw the people all well dressed, though in the 
 light stuffs befitting the climate. He did not notice one single 
 beggar on this or any other occasion ; nor did he see a single 
 drunken person during his sojourn in Friedensthal, excepting of 
 course, his brother, with whose intemperate habits he became ac 
 quainted before long. Herbert used his own conveyance on this 
 occassion, and, as they were on the move all the afternoon, Philip 
 had an opportunity of seeing the greater portion of the city. Yet 
 he failed to notice a single policeman. 
 
 "Don t you keep any police here, Uncle ? " he inquired. 
 
 "Oh, yes, a few," Herbert replied; " but they have so little to 
 do that their office might be well termed a sinecure." 
 
 "But how do you manage your roughs; your unruly fellows; 
 your plebs., in short? " 
 
 " I hardly think we have that class." 
 
 "What, no tramps, no vagabonds, no rowdies? Oh! Happy 
 uncle. Won t you please give me the receipt for this happy state 
 of affairs ? I could make a fortune out of it by selling it to our 
 European statesmen." 
 
 "I fear it would not work there," Herbert said with a dubious 
 smile. "To be effective Europe would first have to do away with 
 her thousand wrongs and iniquities. If we would suffer want to 
 gain a footing here, its numerous companions, such as inebriety, 
 rowdyism, beggary, theft and so forth, would also make their ap 
 pearance." 
 
 "And how do you prevent want from making its appearance 
 here ? Is it by charity ? If so I have to remind you of the ease 
 with which a Creosus can be charitable." 
 
 "It is not charity, Philip, it is justice. Charity degrades its 
 objects, as you can readily perceive if you travel over the world. 
 You will always find a nation degraded in proportion to the hosts of 
 beggars it feeds. Be just, and you need not be charitable." 
 
 "And what do you mean by justice, Uncle? The term is so 
 elastic that it can be streached into almost any shape. You can 
 hardly find two persons thinking alike on that subject."
 
 84 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "And yet, it is so very simple, Philip, that au unsophisticated 
 mind can easily understand it. Only our overweened egotism pre 
 vents us from grasping its true meaning." 
 
 " But your definition, Uncle ?" 
 
 "Is this: justice is the disposition to allow every fellowbeing 
 the full enjoyment of all his rights." 
 
 " And you think we fail in Europe to administer justice in that 
 sense ? " 
 
 "Think? Alas ! I know it. Not only in Europe but all over 
 the world the grossest injustice is practiced." 
 
 "And in what particular right, Uncle, are people curtailed?" 
 
 " In the inalienable birthright of enjoying happiness." 
 
 "But, is this not an illusion, Uncle, to think that all men are 
 equal ? " 
 
 " I did not say they were. They differ greatly in mental and 
 physical qualities ; but does that entitle the strong and clever to 
 trample upon that common birthright ? " 
 
 " Then you do not believe in Darwin s theory of the survival of 
 the fittest, Uncle ? " 
 
 "It may be true enough with animals, but its application to 
 man is too horrible to think of." 
 
 " But the improvement of the race ? " 
 
 Can still be kept in view. By granting to the feeble the en 
 joyment of all the happiness which they are capable Ave put them 
 on the surest road to progress." 
 
 "Well, Uncle, I am by no means ready to agree with you in all 
 your views ; but I confess that the aspect of affairs here has a 
 strong persuasive force, and may eventually make me a convert to 
 your opinions. You have certainly achieved marvels here. I trust 
 I commit no indiscretion in asking you whether the current rumor 
 is correct which says that you discovered an inexhaustable treasure, 
 and were thus enabled to carry out your grand scheme of reform 
 ing the world ? " 
 
 "No indiscretion whatever," Herbert replied coolly; without, 
 however, vouchsafing any further information. 
 
 "And are those correct who trace this treasure to Montezuma, 
 the emperor whom Cortez dethroned ? " 
 
 "What is in a name ? Let it be Montezuma who left me this
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 85 
 
 treasure. Gold, you know, leaves no more a wake than water." 
 
 The wiercl lustre once more began to play in Philip s eyes. 
 How coolly this man spoke of riches the mere thought of which 
 almost set him wild. The grim determination of securing an 
 ample share of these riches, by fair means if he could ; by foul 
 means if he must, struck root within his mind more deeply every 
 moment. He would have liked to dwell upon these thoughts ; but 
 the fear of arousing Herbert s suspicion the never ceasing self-tor 
 ture of the evil mind drove him to continue his lively conversation 
 with his uncle. 
 
 "I see no churches, Uncle," he remarked; "have you no in 
 stitutions of that kind here ? " 
 
 "There are few; at least, you might class them with these in 
 stitutions, for the people assemble there on Sunday and listen to 
 lectures of various kinds." 
 
 "But, you do not forbid religious exercises here, do you, 
 Uncle?" 
 
 "How can you ask, Philip ? " Herbert inquired almost indig 
 nantly ; did I not tell you that we never interfere here with any 
 body s pursuit of happiness ? All we require of a person wishing 
 to settle among us, is the pledge to abstain from teaching their 
 children any religious doctrines before their sixteenth year." 
 
 "You surprise me, Uncle; is not the childhood the time to im 
 press religious truths indelibly upon the mind?" 
 
 "Yes, if you have the truth to impart; but where is the guar 
 antee for this? It is a sad evidence of egotism and conceit that 
 every one of us is sure of having the correct opinion of things 
 which will forever remain a matter of conjecture. I consider it 
 wrong, and even cruel, to deprive our children of the opportunity 
 to judge for themselves, and this we do by impressing dogmas upon 
 their minds at an age when they are incapable of judging of their 
 merits. I am aware that many persons hide their egotism under 
 the pretense that they consider it their duty to thus instruct their 
 children ; but this is a shallow prentense which will not stand the 
 test of scrutiny." 
 
 "But are they not right to fear that other and fallicious doc 
 trines will be instilled into their children s minds? "
 
 86 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "Such fear is groundless here, for no teacher is allowed to 
 broach this subject. All they teach is pure morality." 
 
 "And is not this another term allowing a wide scope for defini 
 tions?" 
 
 " Granted ; but we do not indulge in any casuistry. All we 
 teach is, modesty of conduct, respect for age and law and detesta 
 tion of the lie." 
 
 "I understand, Uncle. You must excuse me if I worry you 
 with my questions; but everything I see here is so new and strange 
 that I really deserve a little considreation. I notice that girls here 
 dress in a style termed Bloomer, if my memory does not decieve 
 me. What is the object of this innovation?" 
 
 " First, it frees them from the weight of a number of under 
 garments which impede their development and sows the seed for a 
 number of maladies to which the female sex is now generally sub 
 ject. Secondly, it permits their participation in gymnastic exer 
 cises condusive to the health, strength and beauty. You cannot 
 help noticing that our girls, as a rule, suffer with nervousness, an 
 ailment which I attribute chiefly to the want of judicious exercise 
 and the partaking of richly seasoned food, not to mention the sen 
 sational literature of the day, which awakens sensual feeling before 
 the proper time and leads to imorality and premature old age. 
 We compel our girls to use their limbs so vigorously during the day 
 that they have no time for voluptuous dreams by night." 
 
 " Do I understand you to mean that you undertake to regulate 
 the diet of the children, here ? " 
 
 "That s what I mean, Philip. Man is a social being, and it 
 therefore behooves the State to see that the next generation gixnvs- 
 up with bodies qualified for both the fulfillment of their duties and 
 the enjoyment of happiness." 
 
 " But such an attempt would surely cause a rebellion, even in 
 all autocratic Russia." 
 
 " Because Russia is not a free country. I only call those free 
 who have a proper control of their passions, and can subordinate 
 appetites to the general good." 
 
 "And to what extent do you superintend the diet of the 
 children ? "
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 87 
 
 "We merely forbid the use of tropical spices, coffee, tea and 
 wine for all children under sixteen." 
 
 " And does it not require a host of officers and a system of 
 espionage to enforce this degree ? " 
 
 "On the contrary ; the parents see too clearly the folly of 
 dwarfing their children s growth by such unreasonable stimulants 
 to thus injure them wilfully. More than that, many families have 
 since entirely discarded the use of the articles interdicted." 
 
 "Why, this is truly wonderful ! " Philip exclaimed with un 
 feigned admiration." 
 
 " Not at all, Philip. Is it really wonderful that these people 
 should love their children ? Would it not be rather strange if, 
 knowing that the stimulants in question impaired their children s 
 health, they would nevertheless insist on giving them to them ? " 
 
 " True enough ; but how do you account for it that the people 
 of other parts do not act equally judiciously?" 
 
 "Because they are not free, Philip; because they have not 
 learned to control their passions. Take the use of tobacco. Every 
 sensible person admits that it destroys the nervous system, and yet 
 it is not only indulged in by adults, but even boys of the tenderest 
 age are permitted to dwarf themselves by inhaling the rank poison, 
 and thus become a burden instead of a benefit to the world." 
 
 "So you abstain here also from the use of tobacco? " 
 
 " Yes, it is not grown here, and, excepting some elderly persons, 
 lacking the moral force to break off a habit both filthy and in 
 jurious, is not used." 
 
 It was nearly supper time when the two returned to the villa- 
 Philip was almost dizzy with what he had seen and heard. It was 
 chiefly the novel ideas of his relative that staggered him ; but they 
 in this instance, had not fallen on fertile soil. Philip was too in 
 telligent not to have observed before this that justice is not properly 
 administered in the world ; but as he happened to belong to the 
 tipper crust, his egotism suffered him to look at the wrong inflicted 
 upon millions with a consummate indifference. An acknowledg 
 ment of their rights would have been equal to a restriction of his 
 privileges, a concession he was by no means inclined to make. He 
 indeed, is hard to convince who does not want to be convinced ; so 
 all Philip brought home from his ride was a deep impression of his
 
 88 The Treasure of Monies uma. 
 
 uncle s wealth and of the necessity of curbing, if not stopping, the 
 mad liberality he was on the point of exercising towards the people 
 of Friedensthal. How this was to be brought about he did not 
 know, but he knew too long a delay might prove fatal to his plans. 
 To use force, was out of the question, for although he counted on 
 his brother s hercule and strength, the two counted to nothing 
 against the faithful thousands, who required only a hint to tear 
 them to pieces. He must use cunning, and his subtile mind worked 
 with a feverish activity to invent a feasable scheme. After supper 
 they met in the parlor where Inez once more entertained them with 
 vocal and instrumental music. Philip had heard artists of world- 
 Avide reputation, but he had to confess that the performances of 
 this girl did not at all suffer by comparison. It was the pathos of 
 her sweet voice, and the expression she put into her instrumental 
 pieces, which formed her chief attraction, and captivated Philip to 
 such a degree that the scowling glances of his brother were neces 
 sary to remind him of the danger of exciting the jealousy of that 
 desperado. He began to feel that Arthur would prove a hindrance 
 rather than a help in his plans, and wished him far away. Still, as 
 he was there, he had to count him in the game, and endeavored to 
 tone down the feelings of admiration with which not only his 
 cousin s artistic skill, but her ready wit and keen intellect filled 
 him. He could tell her nothing new. She had been in Berlin, 
 London, Paris and New York; but what was more, she had ob 
 served the curiosities of all these cities with an attention and 
 appreciation which enabled her to converse about them even more 
 intelligently than he. He could not help thinking what a glorious 
 mate she would make for even a prince, backed by her father s 
 fabulous wealth. As he looked at her, the determination of 
 possessing her became a fixed feature of his plans, and the idea of 
 his brother s disappointment increased rather than diminished his 
 relish of the idea. 
 
 The time passed rapidly, and when they parted at ten, Philip 
 uttered no lie or vapid flattery when he told his relatives that this 
 had been one of the most delightful evenings he had ever spent. 
 He declined his brother s offer to keep him company a little longer, 
 on the plea of being very tired ; but if Arthur could have seen 
 him in his room he would have perceived that Philip was far from
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 89 
 
 sleepy. He kept very quiet, to prevent the inmates of the house 
 from noticing his wakef ulness ; but if his limbs were at rest, his 
 mind was doubly active. To judge from the intense fixedness of 
 his gaze, he was occupied with the solution of a problem taxing his 
 brain to the utmost. The sinister expression of his face, moreover, 
 might have justified a casual observer in thinking that the subject 
 of his thoughts were not exactly of a philanthropic nature. It was 
 nearly twelve when he looked up, nodded ouce or twice ener 
 getically, and then with a muttered "That will do, I guess," went 
 to bed. 
 
 There was another party in the house, however, that did not 
 seek rest immediately. It was Herbert. He had no reason to 
 conceal his wakefulness ; so, instead of sitting down, he walked up 
 and down nis room in deep thoughtfulness. At the expiration of 
 about thirty minutes he stopped, seized a candle and, passing 
 through two rooms adjoining his, entered a third one occupied by a 
 single person stretched in slumber on a bed. Herbert s steps were 
 very noiseless, but he had hardly crossed the threshold when the 
 figure on the bed bounded up with the elasticity of India rubber 
 and stood before the intruder with a mien of watchful expectancy, 
 without, however, uttering a single Avord. In the light of Herbert s 
 lamp we recognize in the occupant of the room an Indian of a 
 powerful frame and splendid proportions. A second glance, tells 
 us that he is young. We have, indeed, seen these bronzed but 
 handsome features before, and, after thinking a moment, recognize 
 the Indian, whose knowledge of German had, enabled Philip to 
 make known his wishes the evening before. After closing the door 
 and listening intensely for a moment or two, Herbert placed the 
 lamp on a table and, turning to the young Indian, said : 
 
 " 1 see, Huatle is as wakeful as ever ; how does it happen that 
 slumber fled his eyes ? " 
 
 " Huatle was asleep, but the step of his father woke him." 
 "I know," Herbert said kindly, extending his hand, which the 
 Indian seized, pressing it reverently to his bosom. " My son is as 
 vigilant as the lynx of the woods. I am glad for I have a commis 
 sion for Huatle which will tax his cunning to the utmost." A ray 
 of pleasure flitted over the dusky face.
 
 90- The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " Huatle is glad that his father needs him ; he would lay down 
 his life to serve his father." 
 
 " I know, my faithful boy ; but it is not your life I want, but a 
 concentration of all the vitality with which nature has endowed 
 you. You have seen the stranger who arrived yesterday and is 
 now an inmate of my house ? " 
 
 " Huatle has seen him." 
 
 " Very well. I have reasons to believe that this man harbors 
 evil designs against us all in his breast, which must be frustrated. 
 Have an eye on him, but do not let him see that he is watched. 
 Do not let one single step or action of his escape your vigilance, 
 and if you discover any wicked purpose or design, report to me at 
 once, no matter where I am or what I may be doing. Do you un 
 derstand me, Huatle ? " 
 
 " I understand my father." 
 
 " Very well, I need not ask whether you will execute my com 
 mission, as that is a matter of course. One thing more ; do not 
 only conceal your movements from the stranger, but from every 
 body else as well, and do not breathe a syllable of this conversation 
 to any living soul." 
 
 " My father will be satisfied with Huatle," was the simple but 
 significant reply the young Indian gave. Herbert knew its full 
 import, and therefore, nodding in his fatherly way, left the room 
 with a cordial ." Good night." 
 
 Beware Philip ! An eye has at this minute been turned upon 
 your steps against whose keenness and penetration even that of the 
 lynx sinks into insignificance. Guard your very thoughts, if you 
 do not wish them to be discovered by the young Indian, who will 
 henceforth attach himself to your heels with the unerring cer 
 tainty of the vulture or the bloodhound. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 AT BAY. 
 
 The following days only served to deepen the impression which 
 the mental and physical charms of Ines had made upon Philip
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 91 
 
 Grau. To say that he loved her would hardly be correct. On the 
 ene hand the sensual feelings he entertained for her does not de 
 serve the name of the exalted sentiments of which the poets have 
 sung since times immemorial ; and on the other hand, Philip was 
 so constituted as to be capable of only one passion of that sort, 
 namely the love of self. He gave her as much attention as her 
 cold reserve and the ever increasing jealousy of his brother would 
 permit. He knew of the old danger of the sudden fits of rage to 
 which Arthur was subject, to say nothing of the ruin of his plans 
 and prospects which an outburst of that young man s fury was al 
 most sure to bring. Much as he longed to impress the mind of the 
 young girl with his personal merits he was too coolheaded and 
 prudent to saciifice his prospects to the momentary gratification of 
 his senses or to advantages merely temporary. He could wait, and 
 consequently did wait, although what he considered moderation 
 was altogether too ardent a manifestation of devotion to suit his 
 brother. Indeed, Arthur became more sullen every day, and came 
 so near violating the rules of common politeness, even to Herbert 
 and his daughter, that Philip thought it proper to take him to task 
 and to warn him of the madness of such conduct. He knew the 
 retreat where his brother was wont to abandon himself to his de 
 bauching habit, and there, a few weeks later, he went to remon 
 strate with him. Philip was altogether to prudent to indulge in 
 Arthur s favorite beverage. Rum is not only apt to loosen the 
 most discreet tongue and set free one s innermost thoughts, but it is 
 poison in a true sense of the word in a tropical climate. He there 
 fore satisfied himself with the lightest wine Carlos could furnish, 
 and partook even of that beverage moderately. Tying the horse 
 which Herbert had placed at his disposal to a tree near a cluster of 
 bushes, where he expected to find Arthur, he entered ic and really 
 discovered him in a condition by no means prepossessing, and in a 
 mood hardly safe for anyone bold enough to lecture him. 
 
 "This is a pretty go, I must confess, "he said sarcastically, 
 seating himself on the table containing the flask from which 
 Arthur filled his tumbler; " I hunt you up to impart to you plans 
 on which depends the realization of our hopes, and find a fellow 
 trying his very best to drown his little sense in whiskey." 
 
 " Rum, if you please. No gentleman drinks the vile stuff you 
 mention."
 
 92 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " I wonder whether it is anymore the mark of a gentleman to 
 fill .himself in this fashion with rum." 
 
 "Philip, if you know what is good for you, you will desist 
 from insulting me. I am as sober as you, and can prove it to your 
 satisfaction. What will you bet that I can t hit the diamond pin 
 on your shirt bosom without soiling your shirt ? " 
 
 " I would prefer some other proofs of your skill, said Philip, 
 who knew his brother too well to doubt that it would require but 
 little provocation to lead him to such a manifestation of his skill 
 and steadiness." 
 
 " If you are sober, I want you to listen to some serious words 
 I have to say to you." 
 
 " Nay, Philip, I do not want any preaching." 
 
 " It is no preaching ; I only Avant to know what you mean by 
 provoking uncle Herbert into open hostility against yourself ? I 
 wonder that he has tolerated your impudence this long. I must 
 confess, that if anybody behaved that way to me in my house I 
 would feel greatly tempted to oust him." 
 
 Let him try it," the other replied savagely ; " it takes a 
 stronger man than uncle Herbert to throw me out of the house." 
 
 There it is again, this silly boast of brute strength. Need I 
 really point out to you the fact that you can accomplish nothing 
 against uncle Herbert, and if you were ten times as strong. Many 
 hounds are the death of the wildest boar ; Avhy, half a dozen of his 
 savages would finish you in less than no time." 
 
 " Not before I had laid a goodly number of them low." 
 
 "But what satisfaction would you derive from that? You 
 would be none the less incapable of enjoying their slaughter. Can t 
 you comprehend that we must pursue another course to reach our 
 purpose ? " 
 
 " Our purposed" Arthur asked suspiciously ; "I fear you mean 
 your purpose." 
 
 " Are not our interests common, you fool? " Philip said, losing 
 his patience. 
 
 "No names, sir," the bandit said with a scowl so ugly that 
 Philip thought it prudent to desist. 
 
 " "Well, it is enough to make a saint swear," he resumed more 
 moderately, " to see you wilfully blind and stubborn. If you don t
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 93 
 
 change your conduct in uncle s house there will be an explosion be 
 fore I can put my splendid plan into execution. 
 
 "So you have a plan?" Arthur inquired, sobering down a 
 little. 
 
 "Yes, but little prospect is there of its execution, if you do 
 not support me, but do 3 T our very best to foil me." 
 
 " AVell, quit preaching and come to the point. If I like your 
 plan I shall not withhold my co-operation ; but, mind you, what 
 ever share of uncle s wealth you may appropriate, I advise you to 
 keep your covetous fingers off the girl. Mind, let me but get the 
 merest inkling of a suspicion to that effect and you will get a bullet 
 through your head, as sure as my name is Arthur Grau." 
 
 Philip felt a cold shudder running down his back. He felt that 
 his brother would not have any more scruples to carry out his mur 
 derous threat than to break the bottle on the table, but while he 
 felt the necessity of dissembling, he also felt a deadly hatred aris 
 ing in his breast against one who did not merely dare to threaten 
 him, but was also eminently qualified to carry his threat into execu 
 tion. 
 
 "Nonsense;" he exclaimed, turning a shade paler; "who 
 thinks of disputing you of your inamorata ? I am supplied, you 
 know, and a fat slice of uncle Herbert s wealth is all I want." 
 
 " So much the better for you ; but out with your plan ; if you 
 keep it to yourself I cannot judge of its merits." 
 
 " Well here it is. But stop ; let us first see whether the coast 
 is clear." He left the arbor and walked all around it. He saw 
 nothing suspicious, and, returning to his former place, said to his 
 brother : "I need not repeat to you my conviction that we can ac 
 complish absolutely nothing by force ; so, the only way left to us 
 is cunning. Did I not hear you say that you could command a large 
 number of trusty followers on short notice." 
 
 "If I said so, I only spoke the truth. In less than one month 
 I can muster four hundred fellows just as brave and jolly as the 
 sun ever shone upon." 
 
 " And you can have them right here ? " 
 
 "Of course I can; but what the deuce are you driving at ? 
 Can t you for once speak plainly."
 
 94 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " It is you that hinders me by your everlasting comments. I 
 am meditating nothing less than a revolution." 
 
 "A revolution! You act as if such things were totally un 
 known in Mexico, while in reality, you have them three times a 
 day like your meals." 
 
 " Well, but what good will a revolution do you and me ? " 
 
 "Lots of good. Don t you know that the fishermen muddy 
 the water when they want to make a big haul." 
 
 " Oh, stop your metaphors and come to the point." 
 
 " I am coming. You take French leave here to-night, and muster 
 in your men. You make believe ." 
 
 " Stop a moment ; I take French leave and you stay in clover 
 and court Inez to your heart s content ? No, sir, that is a little too 
 thin, and you must get up a little earlier to catch me with such a 
 clumsy trap." 
 
 Philip uttered a deep sigh. " I thought so ; it is no use to talk 
 to you, and the best thing I can do is to pack my things and leave 
 you to your fate, Avhich is not hard to prognosticate." 
 
 "With these words he rose and was on the point of leaving, when 
 Arthur stopped him with a bad enough grace. "Nonsense;" he 
 said; "if you knew the hard road these revolutionists have to 
 travel, you would not blame me for disliking to give up such 
 pleasant quarters." 
 
 " If they are so very pleasant, why do you growl constantly and 
 act like as if you liked nothing better than to be kicked out of 
 them. 
 
 " Well, it makes me desperate to see how little chance I have 
 of winning Inez ; but I do not see what benefit we can derive from 
 my playing rebel." 
 
 " Of course, you don t," Philip replied with a sneer. I was on 
 the point of explaining when you interrupted me with your silly 
 jealousy." 
 
 Arthur felt greatly tempted to make a sharp rejoinder, but he 
 instinctively submitted to his brother s superior intellect, and con 
 tented himself with scowling and growling. Philip noticed the 
 victory he had achieved and continued more confidently : 
 
 "You may dine now on o} 7 sters and champaign while thus em-
 
 The Treasure of Monteznma. 95 
 
 ployed, but I always thought a person ought to endure little hard 
 ships for the sake of great gains." 
 
 "Preaching again," the other said with a sneer ; " Why don t 
 you go on with your explanation ? " 
 
 Philip groaned, but proceeded : 
 
 You raise the standard of rebellion for the benefit of some 
 popular leader, or in your interest, for all I care. You raise the 
 cry of corruption, of reform or some other of the thousand baits 
 with which demagogues tempt the rable, and, promising rich 
 plunder, march them hither. If you can capture a couple of ships 
 and convey the men here by water, so much the better ; for you 
 must manage to arrive Avithout detection." 
 
 " I think, I could manage that." 
 
 " Very well. You know how to get access to the valley. By 
 using the midnight ebb, you can mass your men unseen around the 
 cataract and easily overpower the savages. This accomplished, 
 you can seize Lakeview and invent some bogus telegram which will 
 induce uncle Herbert to come there and put himself in your 
 power." 
 
 " But you do not imagine that my handful of men could event 
 ually prevail against the thousands of Friedensthal ? " 
 
 " No ; nor is there any necessity for that. A German corvette, 
 is cruising in the Pacific and when he is once on board, the glorious 
 revolution has fulfilled its purpose." 
 
 " I must confess I do not exactly see how." 
 
 "Because you do not know all 1 know." 
 
 Here Philip lowered his voice to a whisper and said, bending 
 down towards his brother : 
 
 Herbert Grau is wanted in Germany to have the sentence of 
 death executed tipon him." 
 
 The bandit turned pale. "You do not mean that he committed 
 a capital crime ? 
 
 He rebelled against the Government in 48, and such tricks 
 are not quite so dangerless over there as here. If uncle Herbert 
 falls into the hands of the authorities across the ocean, I would not 
 give a farthing for his life." 
 
 Arthur did not reply. He was, in fact, so overpowered by the 
 monstrosity of his brother s villany that he was incapable of utter-
 
 96 The Treasure of Montezuina. 
 
 ing a single word. He had, no doubt, dispatched more than one 
 human being in a hot fray, but he was utterly incapable of con 
 ceiving so villainous a scheme. Philip, taking his silence for con 
 cent, continued : 
 
 "The rest is easy. I have sufficient influence with the govern 
 ment to have the claims of the father and daughter set aside. AVe 
 two divide the spoils and you take the girl who, being penniless, 
 will be glad at the chance," 
 
 He stopped once more, and Arthur, laboring under the terrible 
 revelation he had received, sprang up and said, staring wildly at 
 his brother : "Philip, you are either the devil himself or the aptest 
 pupil he ever had. I cannot help shuddering at your diabolical 
 scheme." 
 
 The other looked at him with a mixture of pity and contempt. 
 
 "You do?" he said. "Well, if it were merely plotting the 
 ruin of an innocent girl or the killing of an old and defenceless 
 man, you would, no doubt, take to the idea as a duck to the water; 
 but to deliver a criminal to justice is too horrible an idea to be en 
 tertained by such a virtuous chap as you. I want no answer from 
 you now. Think it over, and then give me your final decision. 
 But mind ; if I have to work out this thing alone, don t you after 
 wards come in for your share, for as sure as my name is Philip such 
 a step would be worse than idle. 
 
 With this he arose and left the arbor, mounted his horse and 
 returned to the city, followed at a distance by Huatle, who had not 
 ventured near enough to catch the conversation, but seen enough 
 to feel convinced that some kind of a plot was being hatched be 
 tween the two. 
 
 Arthur, meanwhile, remained in the arbor, the prey of conflict 
 ing thoughts. For awhile he continued to shudder at his brother s 
 fiendish scheme ; but it is with wicked thoughts as with plain faces ; 
 first their ugliness startles us, but after awhile we get so much ac 
 customed to them that we no longer notice their plainness. Of one 
 thing Arthur soon became convinced : without his brother s aid his 
 prospects of winning Inez were altogether hopeless, and so deep a 
 hold had his passion for her taken of him that even the thoughts 
 of the blackest crime was more endurable than that of losing her. 
 Liberal potations of rum helped to overcome his pangs of consci-
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 97 
 
 ence and half an hour had hardly elapsed when he scorned his 
 scruples and resolved that he would rather storm hell itself than 
 give up the girl, who had by this time become the only desirable 
 object in the world for him. He was on the point of rising with 
 the intention of leaving the place, when he suddenly heard a light 
 footstep, and a few seconds later the subject of his thoughts stood 
 before him. It is hard to say which of the two was the more 
 startled and surprised ; while the emotions of Inez were at first 
 merely those of unmixed wonderment, those of Arthur had a 
 strong admixture of shame. He sprang to his feet, but his pota 
 tions had been so copious that he found it difficult to maintain his 
 equilibrium. 
 
 "Inez!" was all that he could manage to stammer, and even 
 this word came forth with that thickness peculiar to the state of in 
 toxication. She saw it all now, and the original wonderment gave 
 way to a feeling of indignation and contempt, which her face be 
 trayed so clearly that he became painfully aware of it. He evident 
 ly made an effort to say something more, but she gave him no 
 chance, for with an icy tone she said : 
 
 "Ah, I am de trap here; excuse my interruption of such in 
 tellectual pleasures." 
 
 She made a stately bow, and was on the point of turning her 
 back to him, when her name uttered with a truly painful emphasis 
 caused her to stop. Still, she did not deign to speak, but merely 
 cast a haughty glance at him. 
 
 "Inez," he finally managed to stammer; "I know you despise 
 me, you must despise me ; but do not cast me off in this Avay. If 
 you knew what you are to me, and how I worship the very ground 
 on which you walk, you would not thus turn away and give me up 
 to despair." 
 
 A deep frown gathered on her brow, but her voice was cold as 
 before when she replied : Did you merely retain me to insult me? 
 Excuse me but I must decline to listen longer." 
 
 Her cold contempt stung him to the quick. 
 
 "But you must listen," he said doggedly. "For why did you 
 inspire me with such a passion if you refuse even to listen to its 
 avowal ? Am I a dog to be thus driven away with a kick ? " 
 
 "Whatever you may be, you surely are not a gentleman, or 
 
 7
 
 98 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 you would not compel a woman to listen to the fancies of a mud 
 dled brain. Good day, sir." 
 
 Again she turned to go, but was prevented by a sudden move 
 ment on his part. Her scornful words were evidently too much 
 for his self-control, partly upset as it was by his indulgence. With 
 a sudden spring he was upon her, grasping her arm whirled her 
 around with a vehemence which brought her to the other side of 
 the arbor, while he placed himself so as to cut off her retreat. 
 Still, she was not cowed. She arose to her full height, and her 
 eyes flashed h re as she exclaimed: " Coward, how dare you ? " 
 
 "A desperate man dares anything," he groweled, knowing 
 hardly what he said. " Perhaps you like this wooing better than a 
 gentler one ? " 
 
 " Hum has crazed your brain or you would not be guilty of con 
 duct which can only befit a Mexican bandit, but 
 
 "What do you mean, girl?" he interrupted her, turning ghast 
 ly pale and seizing her once more by the wrist with a sudden spring. 
 This time, however, she had been on her guard. Collecting all her 
 strength in one effort, she hurled him back with a force which 
 made him stagger. Before he had time to recover his balance, she 
 retreated behind the table and, putting a little whistle to her lips, 
 blew from it one long piercing sound. Her unexpected resistance 
 had plainly destroyed the small remainder of reason left him by 
 rum and passion. Uttering a savage growl which would have done 
 credit to a tiger, he was on the point of casting himself upon the 
 fearless girl, when suddenly a rustle became audible in the bushes, 
 and the noble hound we noticed on our first visit to the farm, burst 
 into view. He looked around as if to take in the situation and 
 then, walking to the side of the girl, gazed up to her as if he meant 
 to sav : 
 
 "Well, here I am ; what is wanted ? " 
 
 Inez contented herself with patting his head, while Arthur 
 stood there, uncertain what do for, furious though he was, he saw 
 well enough that the dog was fully a match for him. He made a 
 quick movement for his hip pocket, as if he meant to draw a re 
 volver!; but drew back his hand empty. Perhaps the pistol which 
 he had habitually carried was not there ; perhaps the short pause 
 had sufficed to show him the madness of his conduct. He certainly
 
 The Treasure of Montezuina. 99 
 
 made no further attempt to molest the girl and, when she said in 
 commanding tones, and with the dignity of a queen : " Clear the 
 way, sir." he obeyed with the sullenness of a conquered tiger. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 AND ALTERK(JO. 
 
 The next morning when Inez took her usual promenade in the 
 garden, she suddenly and unexpectedly encountered Arthur, who 
 looked so wretched and woe begone that she abstained from obey 
 ing her first impulse of turning her back upon him. 
 
 "Miss Inez," he began in a low tone, "I know well that I de 
 serve no pardon for my shocking conduct of yesterday, but I must 
 crave it nevertheless, for I could not live under this cloud. I make 
 no pledges, I offer no excuses, but simply ask, whether, in the 
 goodness of your heart, you will forgive me." 
 
 He stopped. Inez hesitated a moment. Her repugnance of 
 this young man was so great that it came near neutralizing the 
 promptings of her natural kindness, which made it hard for her to 
 harbor resentment. Finally, however, she conquered this feeling 
 so far as to reply : "I Avill not withhold my pardon, Arthur Grau ; 
 but while I am willing to forgive, I cannot forget. Our relation 
 must henceforth stand on a different basis. I cannot feel friend 
 ship where I lack confidence, and if you are contented with civility 
 alone, you may, for all I care, remain an inmate of our house. I 
 have not told my father, for the disappointment which your short 
 comings have caused him, is great enough, Heaven knows." 
 
 "Your terms are hard, but I have no right to expect better 
 ones and accept them in all humility. I trust the day will come, 
 when you can and will once more bestow your friendship upon me. 
 
 "I share this hope; but now you must excuse me. There is 
 Clara, calling for breakfast." 
 
 She left him, and he followed with a sober face. Can it be that 
 the hard crust of his heart had been broken and that he has formed
 
 100 The Treasure of Monteznma. 
 
 the resolution of living henceforth a purer and better life? It is to 
 be hoped ; but we must not forget that the road to a certain bad 
 place is said to be paved with good resolutions, and that such bad 
 habits and violent passions as his are powerful weeds, apt to choke 
 the tender plants as good resolutions are apt to be. We, there 
 fore, kindly caution the reader not to count too quickly upon this 
 wayward fellow as the one sinner over which there is to be re 
 joicing. 
 
 We know from Inez own lips that she had abstained from tell 
 ing her father of the shocking scene in the arbor, and may there 
 fore take it for granted that she had not been any more communica 
 tive to I hilip. This worthy could, of course, not help wondering 
 at his brother s sudden change of conduct ; but the ample portion 
 of self-esteem with which he was endowed, induced him to credit 
 his exortations with this favorable change. He tried repeatedly to 
 renew the subject which had formed the theme of the conversation 
 recorded ; but Arthur managed to put him off on some pretense or 
 other, causing Philip to become quite nervous over this unaccount 
 able whim. 
 
 Two mouths had thus slipped away and February set in. We 
 have said nothing more about Herbert s disappointment over the 
 frustration of all the hopes which he had once based upon this 
 young man. For a while his grief had been quite keen : but 
 Herbert s was one of those practical natures which take life as it is, 
 and not as it ought to be. He had been studying all this while on 
 the best course to pursue, and had nearly made up his mind, when 
 things occurred which occupied him to the exclusion of almost 
 everything else. 
 
 As to Inez, she endeavored to maintain towards her relatives a 
 uniform politeness, although she was too sincere to feign a cordial 
 ity which she did not feel. The road leading to Carlos farm had 
 been her favorite resort for walks and rides, but since the perilous 
 encounter of the arbor she had avoided that neigborhood as much 
 as possible and even been very charry in her visits to the farm, 
 much to the regret of Marguerita and Annetta who complained 
 bitterly of such unmerited neglect. Inez did not exactly distrust 
 her cousin, but she deemed it prudent not to expose him to danger 
 ous temtations, and now generally made her excursions in an oppo-
 
 The Tr< <t*<ir<- of Montcznuxi. 101 
 
 site direction, taking care, moreover, to start unseen by him. She 
 also armed herself with a small revolver on such occasions, deeming 
 prudence the better part of valor. Thus prepared, however, she 
 roved about as much as ever, changing merely, as indicated, the 
 direction, of her rambles. One fair morning she had her horse sad 
 dled at an early hour, and started in a south-easterly direction. 
 Her way led her down Laura Street, through the middle of the 
 city. It was evident that she was as much an object of public affec 
 tion as her father, for she could not proceed a dozen steps without be 
 ing hailed on all sides. Nor was it a wonder. As she cantered along 
 in her spotless riding suit of pure white, her black curls streaming 
 juantily from under a broad-brimmed straw hat, she looked for all 
 the world like a fairy, or like the guardian angel of the valley, 
 which, in a certain sense, she was. She passed the large central 
 park, and, traversing the eastern half of the city, soon entered the 
 open country beyond. A favorite grey hound galluped around, 
 describing a do/en times over the road his mistress pursued. The 
 morning was lovely in the extreme. The spring of that high lati 
 tude had fully set in and literally robed the region in a garment of 
 flowers. The farmers along the road were busy putting in their 
 seeds, out they all found time to wave or shout a greeting to the 
 girl and ga/ed with a mixture of affection and admiration after her. 
 Inez seemed bound for a long ramble, for, after crossing the open 
 country, she entered the woods which bound the valley, as well on 
 this as on the opposite side. On, on she went, the road gradually 
 becoming steeper and rougher. It was only after a ride of fully 
 two miles through the woods that she at last reigned in her horse , 
 patting his neck affectionately and saying : 
 
 " Well done, Ca sar ; I think it is about time to return." Then 
 she raised the whistle and was on the point of using it, when she 
 heard the dog utter a long and painful howl, as if he were either 
 in distress himself, or witnessed somebody in distress. Inez could 
 not see him, but the sound emanated from the bushes ahead ; so, 
 without thinking at all of the danger which an advance might 
 bring, she urged her horse at once into a sharp gait and in less than 
 a minute reached the open space where the dog was continuing his 
 plaintive tones. What she saw was well calculated to test her 
 nerves. Two bodies were stretched on the ground, apparently,
 
 102 The Treasure of Mon 
 
 both of them dead. The first was that of a huge grizzly bear, the 
 most formidable of all the beasts of prey inhabiting the mountain 
 ranges of the New World. The second was that of a man who had 
 evidently become the victim of the brute s ferocity. The bear lay 
 partly on the man who seemed to have inflicted the death wound 
 while receiving one himself. 
 
 Inez was not the girl to deliver herself to a silly sentimentality. 
 (Quieting her trembling steed, she dismounted, and, after tying him 
 to a sapling, hastily walked to the shocking scene. No sooner 
 had she reached it, however, and cast a glance at the face of the 
 unfortunate person, when a cry of horror escaped her lips, for she 
 recognized at once the handsome, but now deadly pale face of her 
 cousin Arthur. 
 
 All the feeling of repugnance which had filled her bosom 
 towards the young man vanished, of course, at the sight of his 
 bloody corpse, for such she fully believed it to be. With eyes full 
 of tender pity, but with a firm step she went up to him, to see 
 whether he was really beyond the reach of help. His right arm 
 seemed to have received the fatal blow. The sleeves of both coat 
 and shirt were torn, and the bare arm showed gaping wounds evi 
 dently caused by the fearful claws of the animal. His life blood 
 must have flowed from these wounds, for the neighboring ground 
 was deeply dyed with the precious fluid. 
 
 Inez understood enough of anatomy to know that such wounds 
 need not be fatal in themselves, and this knowledge inspired her 
 with the hope that there might still be life in the body, and that 
 speedy help and judicious treatment might preserve it. This help, 
 then, must be speedily secured. Rapidly rising, she was on the 
 point of mounting her horse, when she saw that the blood was still 
 oozing from the wounds. This would not do. So rapidly retrac 
 ing her steps, she took her handkerchief and tied it gently, but 
 securely, around the lacerated arm. After convincing herself that 
 this measure had the desired effect, she mounted her horse, and 
 urging him with voice and whip, made him skim the ground with 
 the swiftness of the swallow. It took her only a few minutes to 
 reach the nearest farm where she communicated the shocking news 
 and asked for help. The farmer at once entered with alacrity upon 
 her views, lending a mounted messenger to Herbert <<rau, he
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 103 
 
 himself hitched a horse to a spring wagon, and, in company with his 
 servant, started without delay for the scene of the struggle, whither 
 Inez had preceeded him. When the men arrived they found her 
 kneeling at the side of the prostrate form, bathing his face with 
 water which she had secured from a neighboring brook. 
 
 "Poor fellow," the farmer exclaimed; "I fear he is beyond 
 the reach of human skill." 
 
 " I trust not," Inez replied encouragingly ; " Please remove the 
 body of the brute and then lift him on the wagon as gently as you 
 can." 
 
 The men complied, but it took their united strength to remove 
 the ponderous body, which the farmer pronounced to be a 
 "stunner." This accomplished, they lifted the senseless youth as 
 tenderly as possible on the matress with which the wagon had been 
 provided, Inez charging herself with the care of the wounded arm. 
 Then they started for the farm, but as they had to drive slowly, 
 they reached it only a few minutes before Herbert, who had for 
 tunately been at home on the arrival of the messenger, and used 
 his horse, to reach the farm as soon as possible. Under his judi 
 cious care the wounded man was laid on a couch, and the lacerated 
 arm skillfully bandaged. When Inez looked at him inquiringly, 
 he shrugged his shoulders and said gravely : 
 
 "It will be a hard pull. Fever will undoubtedly set in, and i 
 his brain becomes affected, their is little hope of his recovery. If 
 he had been a man of temperate habits, his chances would be much 
 better ; but rum is a mortal foe in these latitudes." 
 
 " Can he be removed to our house ? " 
 
 "No, child ; such an attempt would probably prove fatal. It 
 may take weeks before we can remove him, if we remove him at 
 all." 
 
 He spoke so gravely that Inez saw he feared the worst. 
 
 "In such a case we must provide a nurse, father," she said. 
 " These people are too busy to nurse the patient." 
 
 "Of course, Inez, I shall at once take the needful steps." 
 
 " And I will stay until his arrival. I presume you mean to 
 send a man ? " 
 
 It would perhaps be best. He will become delirious and say
 
 104 The Treasure of Monteznma. 
 
 tilings unfit for a woman s ear. Good bye, daughter ; I shall en 
 deavor to relieve you soon." 
 
 AVhen Herbert had left, Inez .seated herself at the bedside of 
 the wounded man, and abandoned herself to her thoughts. 
 
 How wonderfully things had changed on a sudden. Only yes 
 terday this young man had walked about, a tower of strength, and 
 now he lay there helpless as a baby, on the very verge of death. 
 
 While thus employed, she mechanically put her hand in her 
 pocket and, feeling a hard object, drew it forth. It proved to be a 
 book, and now she recollected what she had forgotten in the excite 
 ment of the hour. When the men had lifted Arthur into the 
 wagon, this book had dropped from his breast pocket, and she had 
 put it in her pocket, to save it and afterwards return it to the owner. 
 She was on the point of opening it mechanically, when the door 
 opened and Philip stepped into the room. He must have taken the 
 news of the accident very hard, for his face was very pale and his 
 gait rather uncertain, as he walked to the bedside, asking in a 
 husky whisper: 
 
 "Is he conscious?" 
 
 Inez shook her head, and this news, strange to say, seemed to 
 relieve him visibly. He looked at the form on the bed, as if he 
 meant to impress every feature indelibly on his memory. He did 
 not say another word ; nor did his visit last longer than a few min 
 utes. With a nod he arose and left the room, and Inez could not 
 help wondering at his queer behavior, which she did not under 
 stand until many hours later. 
 
 When Philip had left she relapsed into her reveries, until the 
 appearance of the nurse once more interrupted her, and gave her 
 an opportunity for returning home. We cannot accompany her, 
 as the strange conduct of Philip has perchance aroused the reader s 
 curiosity making it advisable for us to attach ourselves to his steps. 
 We know him to be a man or great deliberation and must therefore 
 greatly wonder at the break-neck speed with which he urges his 
 steed on his home journey, disregarding, we fear, the safety of the 
 people on the way. Nor did Philip stop at Herbert s villa, but, 
 speeding on, proceeded to Carlos farm. With a meiu full of 
 anxiety he walked to his brother s retreat, and breathed a sigh of 
 relief when he discovered him enveloped in a cloud of smoke. To
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma, 105 
 
 do him justice the rum flask was wanting this time and Arthur 
 was therefore in a much better condition to receive such news as his 
 brother had evidently to communicate. Philip whispered only a 
 few words into his ear, so low that we fail to hear them, but so 
 startling that Arthur sprang up, and said with great consternation : 
 
 "Are you sure? " 
 
 "Of course I am. I saw him with my own eyes. He has been 
 badly wounded by a grizzly, but even if he dies, which I devoutly 
 hope he will, your sojourn here is at an end, as the discovery of 
 your fraud is inevitable." 
 
 But what is to be done?" 
 
 "You must at once hide in a safe refuge, until we can smuggle 
 you from the valley. You have a confident in this fellow Carlos, 
 have you not?" 
 
 "Yes, I can confide in him." 
 
 "Well that is fortunate. He must hide you and give me a 
 chance of meeting you before you leave." 
 
 "So you are going to abandon me, now that my game is up? " 
 Arthur said with a scowl. 
 
 But don t you see that I must pretend to have been deceived 
 as well as the rest, if I want to have a chance of remaining here? 
 Philip remonstrated impatiently. "I do not wish to remain longer 
 than necessary, and if you hurry with the execution of my plan, 
 there will be no necessity of tarrying much longer." 
 
 Arthur continued to scowl, but he was helpless to mend mat 
 ters. He could certainly not remain at the villa after thfe discov 
 ery of the gross fraud he had practiced upon its inmates. It was 
 even dangerous to tarry much longer where he was, for he might 
 look for measiu es of great severity, on the part of his uncle, whose 
 wrath he had provoked in no small degree. He therefore was 
 forced to listen to the counsel of his brother who promised to send 
 Carlos to the arbor, to watch his interests to the best of his ability. 
 
 "I ought to have my Wardrobe," he said despondently, as 
 Philip was about to leave. 
 
 "I shall get it for you as soon as I can, though we must be 
 careful. I have caught one of the indians prowling at my heels 
 more than once, and have reason to fear that he has been set to dog 
 my steps. Good bye now, Arthur, I must really go."
 
 10H The Treasure of Montezuina. 
 
 "One moment more, Philip; you know Clara, the girl in the 
 villa?" 
 
 "AY ell, what of her?" 
 
 "Oh, she is sweet on me and if you need a confident, you can 
 trust her without fear." 
 
 "Well that may come handy; but now, au revoir, 1 have tar 
 ried too long already." 
 
 With this he went, but the keen eyes of Hautle had espied him, 
 and as the young Indian knew the arbor to be the haunt of Arthur 
 his conviction of a conspiracy between the two became confirmed. 
 Still, as Herbert wanted certainty and not suspicion, he resolved to 
 keep his discoveries a little while longer to himself. 
 
 A few mintes after Philip s departure Carlos made his appear 
 ance in the arbor, and asked what the Capitan wished. 
 
 "Well, Carlos, a little unpleasantness has arisen between my 
 relatives and myself, making it desirable that I should disappear 
 for a little while : Have you not a place where you can hide me 
 effectually?" 
 
 Carlos shook his head. It was evident that his capitan began 
 to be a burden which he would like to shake off without ceremony; 
 but as he was afraid of the other s dagger and revolver, he hasten 
 ed to modify his gesture by saying: 
 
 "If father Herbert sends his Indians on your track, there is no 
 place in the valley where they would not find you." 
 
 "But it is not as bad as that," the bandit suggested. "He 
 may possibly not seek me at all, and the squall may blow over in 
 less than no time. Still, I would like to disappear for a week or 
 two, and count on your assistance to carry out my purpose." 
 
 Carlos reflected a while and then said: "AVell, there is the old 
 Mexican mine in the mountains above here. But I tell you Capi 
 tan, it is a sorrowful place, more fit to harbor bats and owls than 
 human beings." 
 
 "Well beggars are no choosers, you know r , Carlos; so I shall 
 accept your kind offer and lodge for a while in the Hotel de Gold 
 Mine. You will oblige me by taking me there at once, as I have 
 not the slightest desire of meeting my uncle just at present." 
 
 " But the Capitan must take some provisions along, else he
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 107 
 
 would starve there very soon. In fact when he sees the place he 
 will blame me for taking him there." 
 
 "Go and get your grub ; I am sure your worthy dame will not 
 begrudge me a loaf or two; indeed there is no risk of taking her 
 into your confidence." 
 
 Carlos did not say what he thought on that subject, for he left 
 the arbor without another word in quest of provisions. Half an 
 hour later he returned with a large basket well filled with eatables 
 of every kind. Several bottles whose necks projected from the 
 basket, showed that he had not forgotten the peculiar penchant of 
 the Capitan who took all the cigars the drawer of the table con 
 tained and declared his readiness to follow Carlos to wherever he 
 would lead. Carlos obeyed. Taking the direction to the neighbor 
 ing woods, he soon entered their somber shade. For the first three 
 miles the road ran smoothly enough ; but after that it became steep 
 and rough or rather ceased altogether. Huge rocks began to inter 
 fere with their progress, and a little later there was nothing but a 
 continued jumping from one rock to another. At length Carlos 
 stopped before a large hole in the rocks which seemed to be the en 
 trance of a cave, but was, as Carlos declared, the old gold mine of 
 which they were in search. It did not look very inviting, for the 
 rocks were bare and rugged. No grass covered the ground and the 
 water which was so remarkable a feature of the valley, disappear 
 ed here entirely. Carlos informed his companion that it would not 
 be safe to enter too deep into the mine, as it was full of holes and 
 and old shafts. He showed him, however, a cavity on the right in 
 which he could hide and sleep. Finally he gathered a supply of 
 pine boughs and then retired, promising to make daily visits, unless 
 absoluteiy forbidden by circumstances to do so. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 GLIMPSES. 
 
 Herbert paid several visits to the patient during the day ; but 
 when Inez asked him iu the evening about his condition, he said
 
 108 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 that he could give as yet no definite answer. The patient did as 
 well as could be expected under the circumstances ; but the issue 
 depended upon the character of the fever likely to set in. There 
 was no music in the villa that evening for, though Herbert and his 
 daughter bore the sufferer but little affection, his critical condition 
 nevertheless cast a shadow over the household. The family retired 
 early, and as Inez hung away her dress, she felt once more the book 
 in the pocket of her riding habit. She drew it forth and again 
 opened it, casting a careless glance upon the leaves, which, to her 
 surprise formed a manuscript in a very fair (Jerman hand. It was 
 evidently a journal whose privacy Ine/ meant to respect ; but she 
 thought it no harm to turn over the leaves more with the view of 
 admiring the fine writing than examining its contents. Suddenly 
 she came to some pages written in excellent English. A discovery 
 Avhich startled her, as Arthur had confessed to her that he was in 
 capable of reading English and, consequently, much less of writ 
 ing it. Besides, the English of the diary was superior to the 
 jargon in which he had conversed. What could it mean? Was 
 this book after all not Arthur s property, and had he appropriated 
 it with that indifference to the rights of others? She felt now 
 justified in examining the book more closely and, turning to the 
 beginning, commenced to read. The contents seemed to captivate 
 her attention from the start, for she read line after line, page after 
 page, far into the small hours of the night, and never <|tiit until 
 she had finished the diary. Peeping over her shoulder, with the 
 privilege of the author, we read with her as follows, translating 
 for the reader as we go : 
 
 AxToNsurni-:, May the 1st, 1872. 
 
 Having determined to keep a journal and to chronicle in it tin- 
 events of my life, T begin on this page and on the date written 
 above. I have been sixteen and am as happy as happy can be, 
 which is not very wonderful as I am hale and hearty and have the 
 best parent in the world, who fulfills every wish of mine, almost 
 before it is uttered. 
 
 By parent I mean my fosterfather, Anton Stamm ; for I have 
 been an orphan from my infancy, my parents having both fallen 
 victims to their love of science. To explain : My father had made
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 109 
 
 several journeys of exploration into the interior of Africa and, on 
 the last, contracted a fever which destroyed his life on his return 
 to Europe. My mother caught the fever while nursing him, and 
 she too, succumbed to its virulence, leaving me an orphan in the 
 tenderest infancy. Thanks to my fosterfather I have never felt the 
 want of parents, although I can not deny that I have often enter 
 tained the ardent wish for their society. I need not state either 
 that I love Father Anton with every h ber of my being. Were it 
 otherwise, I would surely not deserve the name of a human being. 
 
 The other inmates of our house are, Marianna, the house 
 keeper, and Bertha Stamm, the daughter of Father Anton s dead 
 brother, consequently his niece; Father Anton is an old bachelor, 
 hence the necessity of a housekeeper. Marianna is a dear good 
 soul, who, according to Father s often reiterated assertion, does her 
 best to spoil rne. She knows my favorite dishes, and is not slow to 
 let me benefit daily by such knowledge. Bertha is fourteen. She 
 is , she is , well, she is Bertha, that is as near as I can come to 
 it. She is not amiable, at least she does not impress me that way. 
 She is very reticent aud seldom mingles in our games. She is very 
 smart, though, and far advanced in knowledge for one of her age. 
 I often reproach myself for not liking her better ; but what can 
 you do when a person keeps you thus at bay, as it were? 
 
 Antousruhe is a domain of great beauty and value which has 
 been in possession of the Stamm s for many generations. It is 
 
 situated on the banks of the II , just four miles from K , 
 
 the capitol. They say Father s brother was a great spendthrift, 
 whose extravagance came near ruining him. Indeed, when he died, 
 he left nothing but little Bertha and debts which would have 
 swallowed up the entire estate, if a noble friend had not come to 
 Father s rescue just in the nick of time. This much I know from 
 his own lips ; but who this friend was, I have never been able to 
 learn. When, years ago, I made the inquiry to that effect, 
 Father replied that an oath sealed his lips to the day of my major 
 ity ; so I would have to wait until then for the satisfaction of my 
 curiosity. Since that I have, of course, made no further attempt 
 to learn the secret, if such it is. I rather like this touch of mys 
 tery in our family drama ; it brings, as it were, a little spice into 
 the daily routine of life. Not that this routine is unpleasant in
 
 110 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 my case ; for I lead the jolliest life imaginable. At five in 
 Summer, and six in Winter 1 arise, and, after a cold bath all over, 
 saddle Bucephlos for a ride. 1 doubt whether Alexander had as 
 much right to be proud of his horse as I of mine. He is certainly 
 a noble animal, and quite calculated to aid me in the attainment of 
 that perfect horsemanship which father wishes me to secure. He 
 keeps a superannuated circus rider for that purpose and, if Herr 
 Btallmeister Marx does not flatter, I am capable of performing in a 
 circus any day. Herr Marx is also an athlete of considerable merit 
 and, under his direction, I have become an adept in the art of 
 fencing, boxing, swimming and shooting, and so anxious indeed, is 
 Father Anton to see me skilled in gymnastics of every kind, that I 
 have asked him repeatedly, with a laugh, whether he intends hiring 
 me out to Renz one of these days. These questions Father treats 
 more seriously than they are meant and makes me understand that 
 he is indeed governed by a purspose which, however, must remain 
 a secret to me until the day of my majority. That day seems, in 
 deed, destined to play a role in my life, and I hope sincerely I shall 
 live to see it, if for no other purpose than that of solving this 
 mystery. 
 
 There are, moreover, several studies which Father wants me to 
 give special attention. They are mathematics, chemistry and 
 modern languages ; particularly English and Spanish. Fortunately 
 my desire to please so kind a father is backed by an ardent love for 
 the very branches mentioned, so that I have really no right to 
 claim any special merit for excelling in them. These studies and 
 exercises keep me pretty busy as may well be imagined, and time 
 flies so swiftly that it appears to me more like a dream than reality. 
 At any rate, the momentous day of my majority is, indeed, not so 
 very remote. 
 
 MAY TIIK 10rn. 
 
 Yesterday we had a visit from cousin Philip Grau, who come 
 to ask whether we had seen anything of his brother Arthur, who 
 had suddenly and mysteriously disappeared from home. This 
 Arthur is a pretty wild fellow I believe, who has given his family 
 a great deal of trouble. Pie not only shares my name, which we 
 both bear in memory of a great grandfather, but also an almost 
 marvelous resemblance to this grandfather. Indeed, so great is
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. Ill 
 
 this likeness that our most intimate friends can not tell us apart 
 when we stand together. Well, this alterego of mine has disap 
 peared, and his father is greatly troubled about him. I am sorry 
 for the family, for, in my estimation, they are very worthy people. 
 Herr Justizrath Grau is one of the leading judges of the kingdom, 
 and has a reputation for integrity and impartiality which extends 
 over all Germany. His son Philip takes after his father ; indeed, 
 I know of no worthier young man amongst all my acquaintances. 
 At school he was a model for the rest of the students. He did not 
 only excel in scholarship, but his conduct was so marked by friend 
 liness, politeness and accommodation that he was, and is still a 
 favorite with all who know him. Even Bertha, who is so cold, and 
 reticent, seems incapable of resisting his charms. He appears to 
 attract her, as the snake is said to attract little birds, though this 
 smile is rather lame, as cousin Philip is anything but a snake and 
 cousin Bertha far from being a helpless little bird. I wonder if 
 this namesake of mine will turn up again or disappear forever in 
 the stream of time, which resistlessly sweeps us on towards our 
 final destiny? " Quiensabe?" as the Spaniard says, whose lan 
 guage I am now studying with so much pleasure. I can hardly 
 await the time when I shall be able to read Don Quixote in the 
 original. Father says that I shall travel in Spain as well as Eng 
 land as soon as I have mastered the tongue of these countries. Is 
 that not an incentive to application ? If not please to name me a 
 better one. 
 
 JUNE THE 1ST. 
 
 Arthur Grau has not returned as yet, and I fear his friends 
 have pretty well abandoned the hope of seeing him again. There 
 was a rumor that he had embarked in Amsterdam for the New 
 World, but these reports are so vague and unauthenticated that 
 you can place no reliance upon them. There was also a shadowy 
 rumor afloat which whispered of cruelty on the part of the father, 
 showing that not even the best of us can escape calumny. No 
 doubt, uncle Arnold showed severity to his son, but I am sure such 
 severity was called for, if only half the stories circulating about my 
 namesake are true. With this remark I shall close the subject and 
 turn to something that has recently engaged my attention in no 
 small degree. Up to my sixteenth would not seventeenth be
 
 112 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 more correct? birthday father Anton had kept all religious instruc 
 tion from me. When I asked him why he did so he replied: 
 
 " AVhen you fret older, you will thank me for this abstinence. 
 I want you to he able to judge of these things with an unbiased 
 mind. If I wanted you to entertain my views I would have im 
 pressed upon you the principles of the free thinkers, while my 
 brother-in-law would have made you an orthodox Lutheran. Of 
 course, I think I am correct, but so does he, and I have lived long 
 enough, my boy, to learn that we are apt to err. For that reason 
 I would not allow any doctrine to bias your mind until it, is capable 
 of forming its own conclusions. Here is the history of the princi 
 pal creeds of ancient and modern times, which I want you to read 
 carefully ; and here is a copy of the bible, certainly a remarkable 
 book, which has caused so much bloodshead in the world that I 
 honestly doubt the claim of its adherauts as to the immeasurable 
 blessings it has bestowed upon the world. But here I am, preach 
 ing like the best of them and forgetting my resolution of not bias 
 ing your mind. l\ead, my son ; read! " 
 
 And I did read. I am now through with the history of relig 
 ions, and cannot refrain from laying down, in this confidential 
 friend, the principle thoughts awakened by this perusal. First, it 
 struck me as remarkable that the founders of religious creeds with 
 out exception, claim to have been inspired by the Divinity whose 
 laws they proclaim. It would hardly be fair to brand them all as 
 imposters, although with some of them, as in the case of .Joseph 
 Smith, fraud is too evident to be mistaken. Hut as the divine laws 
 which they promulgate differ widely we must either assume that 
 there are different divinities which inspired them or that they 
 were not inspired at all. The latter assumption is more rational 
 and, therefore, probably the true one. We read of other hallucina 
 tions ; why, then, should we not meet with them in the field of 
 theology? I suppose all men agree as to the existance of some 
 creative force or agency ; but of the nature and character of this 
 agency we shall forever remain in the dark. The human mind, so 
 limited in its scope and comprehension, cannot grasp the infinite 
 and sublime as the conception of some of these teachers are, we 
 see the original force only through the prisms of their vi.-ions. 
 Their views take the color of their time and clime. If they hail
 
 The Treasure of Montemwa. 113 
 
 from the icy North, their conception of the Godhead is stern and 
 rugged as the region in which they grew up, although they may 
 also share their grandeur; if, on the other hand, their cradle has 
 stood under a tropical sky, their religious views possess all the fer 
 vor of the sun of that latitude, coupled with the exhuberance of a 
 brilliant imagination and the tendency to exagerate. 
 
 I said that the views of the religious teachers also take the col 
 oring of the times in which they lived. The teaching of the more 
 ancient ones savor of the ferocity of their age. Their divinities 
 have in some instances the virtues and foibles of man in a higher 
 degree, while in others they are imbued with a sense of justice 
 which, in its sternness, savors more of vengeance than equity. 
 Only in the instance of Jesus, the conception rises to the idea of a 
 benevolent father, but even this grand Jewish teacher cannot en 
 tirely free himself from the idea of the Jehovah whose sense of 
 justice must be satisfied, though it be at the expense of the innocent 
 for the benefit of the guilty. This idea is shocking to me in the 
 extreme, and reminds me of the nefarious practice of former cen 
 turies, when scapegoats were kept at the royal courts to be punish 
 ed for the faults of the young princes, whose noble bodies were too 
 sacred for the application of the whip. 
 
 If a judge would carry out the idea of such justice in our days; 
 if, for instance, he would permit an innocent person to be hanged 
 instead of the real criminal, he would soon be placed in a tight 
 jacket, or at least be deprived of the chance of committing more 
 such enormities ; nor would the plea that the sacrifice was an en 
 tirely voluntary one alter the case at all in his favor. 
 
 I have noticed, thirdly, that a nation has been free and happy, or 
 wretched and oppressed, in proportion to the influence and power of 
 its priesthood. The Greeks and Romans were, in a measure their 
 own priests, and therefore comparatively prosperous, as long, at 
 least, as they preserved their original simplicity and honesty. 
 While the Hindoos and Egyptians, on the other hand, groaned un 
 der almost unbearable burdens, imposed by their priests, who were 
 invariably the allies of their despots and reveled in luxuries while 
 they comforted the people with the prospective bliss of another 
 world. We meet this phenomenon even in the Christian church, 
 
 8
 
 114 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 and can trace the poverty and wretchedness of a nation almost uni 
 versally to the greater or lesser influence of its clergy. 
 
 A fourth point, and the one which has staggered me most, is 
 the horrible chain of the blackest crimes either committed at the 
 instigation of the priesthood, or at least with their sanction. It is 
 scarcely necessary to enumerate some of them, for they form the 
 bulk of history ; still I will mention the persecutions of the Christ 
 ians at the instigation of the Roman augurs ; the horrible human 
 sacrifice of the Durids ; the shocking rites of the Aztecs ; the auto- 
 da-fees of the inquisition; the burning of hundreds of thousands 
 of old women as witches ; the cruel crusades with their atrocities ; 
 the thirty years war, from whose ravages Germany has not fully 
 recovered to the present day ; the massacre of St Bartholomew ; the 
 Sicilian v,esper; the brutal butchery of 40,000 Albigenses in 
 southern France ; the expatriation of the Puritans ; the Morriscos 
 and the Huguenots ; the but enough of this horrible record, 
 which is sufficient to create doubts in the mind of the most credu 
 lous as to the truth of the teachings eminating from men who, as 
 I have shown, raged worse than tigers during ages, un il tl e spirit 
 of a more enlightened age put a stop to their fiendish doings. 
 These words awaken a thought which I cannot forbear from re 
 cording here. I have often heard and seen it claimed that we owe 
 the present civilization to the churches. Is it not rather true, on 
 the contrary, that the religion of the present day owes its milder 
 character to the enlightenment which, as history undeniably proves, 
 it has done its best to retard. I think, then, that I can safely re 
 cord this conclusion : that religion is influenced by time and man 
 ners, instead of influencing them, as is claimed by its propounders. 
 
 But does it follow from this that there is no religion ? By no 
 means. I think I see before my mental eyes a religion worthy of 
 the noblest aim, gratifying to the highest ambition. It is the en 
 deavor to become wiser and better every day, and to show this in 
 crease of goodness and wisdom by our unceasing efforts to make 
 our fellow-men happy and to create here on earth, as far as possi 
 ble, the paradise of which all creeds give such delightful descrip 
 tions. 
 
 JUNE THE IOTH. 
 
 I shocked father yesterday by a free rendering of the views 
 expressed above.
 
 The Treasure of Montezumti. 115 
 
 "You may congratulate yourself," he said, laughing, "that 
 you did not live at the time of the Inquisition, which you criticise 
 so freely ; or you might form the subject for one more auto-da-fe. 
 Take care not to shock uncle Arnold s nerves by too bold an ex 
 position of such views, or he might berate you soundly, and tell 
 you that you ought to be sent to a reform school, and I to the 
 penitentiary for allowing you to grow up in such shameful ignor 
 ance of the true principles of religion." 
 
 "But father, " I retorted, " Do you really think it wrong to 
 Utter your convictions ? " 
 
 "Wrong! No indeed. I, for my part, know of no meaner 
 vice than hypocrisy ; but it takes a good deal of moral courage to 
 utter thoughts and confess convictions at variance with those of the 
 majority." 
 
 " But, I thought tliis was the age of religious liberty." 
 
 "On paper yes. In reality, a person who dares to strike 
 public opinion in the face, by venturing to differ from it, is pretty 
 sure of being ostracised." 
 
 " And you really think uncle Ainold would be so intolerant as 
 to blame me for entertaining views forced upon me by study and 
 reflection ? " 
 , " You try him," was the dry reply. 
 
 I am now reading the bible, but shall abstain from making any 
 remarks concerning its religious character until I have finished it. 
 I must say, however, that I am not very favorably impressed with 
 the chosen people. Perhaps their glowing imagination led them to 
 fancy themselves in a box where they had no business. Father 
 Abraham may pass muster, although I cannot say that I like that 
 expulsion of Hagar, to please Sarah ; nor do I think he acted very 
 honorably in Egypt, when he lied to Pharaoh and was the cause of 
 the latter s getting the smallpox or some disease of that sort ; but 
 when we come down to his son Jacob, he beats in trickery any one 
 of his descendants selling second-hand clothing. Look at the de 
 ception by which he secured his blind father s blessing. The as 
 sistance of his smooth-tongued mother does not make the trick any 
 more honorable, and it is a real pity that Esau did not catch him 
 afterwards and give him a sound threshing. The tricks he played 
 on Laban are more excusable, for the latter wasn t a bit better, so
 
 11 (i The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 they played tit for tat. I did not feel very sorry for him, when he 
 had the misfortune of loosing .Joseph. It looked almost like retri 
 bution. Some of the judges I like, hut others surely had more 
 muscle than brains ; especially that giddy Samson, who was a great 
 bruiser, and terribly soft in the bargain. If a fellow now-a-days 
 would get his Sunday clothes in his fashion the sheriff would make 
 short work of him ; but I guess the Philistines were then held in 
 lower estimation than they are to-day. His final vengeance was 
 certainly grand, as the term generally goes ; though what grandeur 
 there can be in causing the innocent to suffer with the guilty I fail 
 to conceive. What shocks me most is the evident gusto with which 
 the inspired (?) writer tells the story. 
 
 Judith is another of the Jewish heroines. She has nothing 
 feminine about her which I do not like. She may be very brave 
 and all that, but I cannot bring myself to rave about a bravery 
 which makes it a point to slay the enemy while asleep. There is 
 something touching in this succumbing to a blind, inexorable 
 fate, which tastes more after the Grecian and Hebrew mythology. 
 I can imagine I hear her now, singing the dirge of her hopes and 
 expectations. Samuel is the last and craftiest of all the, judges. 
 The time of theocracy is past, the people want a king ; a logical 
 step towards liberty ; and Samuel grants what he feels powerless to 
 prevent. But he chooses a king whom he thinks he can handle as 
 a puppet. In this, however, he is mistaken ; Saul feels his dignity 
 and wants to be a king both in power and name. At first Samuel 
 remonstrates ; but finding all his efforts fruitless, he rejects Saul 
 and chooses the slippery but cunning David instead. The struggle 
 between Saul and David, or rather Saul and Samuel, is one of the 
 saddest on record. The silly people, not yet emancipated, suffer 
 themselves to be terrified, and abandon Saul, whose downfall from 
 that moment was merely a question of time. No wonder that lie 
 seeks the counsel of the sorceress ; no wonder that he has fits of 
 rage and jealousy ; I liken him unto a man who has entered the 
 rapids of the Niagara, with a sure and awful fate before him. If 
 I were a poet, I would write a tragedy, with Saul for my hero. I 
 already said that David was by no means a man after my heart. A 
 king who can treat a brave soldier as he treated Uriah is a despot 
 of the blackest hue, and no repentance can change his character.
 
 The Tmiwre of Montezuma. 117 
 
 True, lie did repent, but his selection from the three modes of 
 punishment offered to him shows the selfishness of the oriental 
 tyrant. How descent from such a monarch should be considered an 
 honor is a mystery to me. 
 
 His son, the proverbially wise Solomon, is not a particle better ; 
 for in his old age, the time when wisdom ought to mature and bear 
 fruit, he becomes an idolater and commit* all manner of folly. 
 Perhaps his thousand wives are at the bottom of this ; but the very 
 taking of so many helpmates is, in my humble opinion, sufficient 
 evidence that he was not quite so wise as generally reputed. 
 
 After Solomon, the history of the nation becomes, with a few 
 and rare exceptions, a slum of wickedness and depravity, not very 
 creditable to a people of such high pretensions. Ten of the tribes 
 disappear at an early date, never to come forth again, and the re 
 maining two eke out a miserable existence. In fact, if it had not 
 been for later events, nobody would have ever taken the trouble of 
 studying their history, manners or creed. 
 
 In the new testament they do not play a more creditable role. 
 -They are represented as conceited, loud-mouthed, hypocritical and 
 blood thirsty, clamoring for the execution of an innocent man. 
 
 Fortunately a great many of their descendants are better than 
 their ancestors, and their fondness for traffic and speculation, 
 together with the thirst for mammon, is properly to be charged to 
 the malice of the Christian Nations which, for many centuries, 
 persecuted them with an almost fiendish rescntfulness, and would 
 not allow them any other pursuit than that which has in modern 
 times become so very profitable, and yields them the riches for 
 which the world now envies them. 
 
 AUCIUST THE 15TH. 
 
 To day I witnessed a pityful seene. As I returned from a ride, 
 I saw two constables eject a poor family from a wretched tenement 
 in which they had spent the greater part of their lives, and which 
 had become dear to them in spite of its squallor, because their 
 children had been born there. In the street their furniture was 
 auctioned off to the highest bidder to satisfy the claims of the 
 landlord ; a rich speculator, living on his rent-roll. The amount 
 was merely trifling, and the inability to pay it had arisen from 
 sickness and a business depression which had thrown the head of
 
 118 The Treasure of Montezinna. 
 
 the family out of employment. I had enough money with me to 
 satisfy the claim, so the servant* of the law retreated, leaving the 
 wretched family in the middle of the road. They crowded round 
 me and thanked me with a cringing humility which made me 
 angry with the world for allowing such conditions and the degrada 
 tions arising from them. I stopped them with an abruptness which 
 frightened them, and then inquired what they meant to do. Never 
 before had I seen such perfect helplessness and indecision. They 
 had not the slighest idea what to do ; a state of mind which might 
 have made me impatient if I had not asked myself just then the 
 question : What can they really do? Has not our boasted civili/a- 
 tion hemmed them in on all sides, and thus reduced them to utter 
 helplessness? A nice state of affairs. Here is a man, industrious, 
 frugal, skilled in the work which the world has allowed him to 
 learn, and that world does not give him a chance to earn the daily 
 bread for his family, and sanctions law r s and institutions which justU 
 fy the taking from him the few miserable trifles, necessary for the 
 sustainment of life. Is there not something fundamentally wrong 
 in this? Is there not an urgent need for a Messiah w r ho, instead of 
 troubling himself about the affairs of another world, would make it 
 his business to improve the condition of this? Oh ! for the wisdom 
 to discover the proper course ; oh ! for the power to carry it into 
 execution. 
 
 Of course, I did not make these reflections just then or there. 
 These poor people need help and not advice; so, after reflecting a 
 moment, I bade them await my return and made Bucephalos do 
 his best to reach Antousruhe, where I found father Anton return 
 ing from a tour of inspection. I stated the case to him hurriedly 
 and closed by saying: "I knew you would help them, father, but 
 thought it proper to inform you before bringing them/ 
 
 "Thank you, for your good opinion, Arthur," he replied smil 
 ing at my ardor. " I will help these people, but the sadness of the 
 case lies in the fact that such things as these are at all possible 
 under the reign of this boastful Christian civilization. But we 
 must not waste time in idle speculations now. Go and bring the 
 people here, my boy ; I shall, in the meantime, get the little cot 
 tage at the end of yon lane ready for their reception/ 
 
 Good father Anton ! I gave him a good hug for an answer and
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 119 
 
 then galloped away to bring my proteges. I had been in such a 
 hurry that I never thought of procuring the means of conveying 
 their luggage ; but father had been more thoughtful, and before I 
 had time to rectify my oversight, Hans, our man of all work, ar 
 rived with a light wagon, on which he soon loaded the furniture, 
 assisted by the, owner, who was so deeply grateful that he could 
 not find words to express his feelings, for which I felt truly thank 
 ful, as I still harbored a grim wrath, not at the man but at the 
 world which I held justly accountable for such a state of affairs. 
 
 We soon arrived at the cottage, which had been prepared for 
 the reception of the exiles. It was a cosy little house of three 
 rooms and a finished garret, just large enough for the family, which 
 consisted of the parents and three children. When father saw the 
 rickety furniture, he shook his head and said: "why good people, 
 this will never do. Arthur, take Hans to the garret of the man 
 sion and fetch some of the furniture piled away there. It isn t 
 much, goodness knows, but still an improvement on these ruins." 
 
 I did not wait for a repetition of this command, but rattled off 
 with Hans in the spring-wagon, to carry out a commission which 
 vas doubly welcome, since it took me to the old garret, a favorite 
 resort of my more youthful days, in consequence of the innumera 
 ble antiquated treasures piled away in the spacious rooms. Hans 
 and I made a hasty selection, and soon had the wagon loaded with 
 furniture, dating from days gone bye, but sufficiently grand to jus 
 tify the assumption that it had once adorned the apartments of 
 princes. My client, whose name I learned to be Peter Maurer, 
 opened his eyes to their full extent and, having by this time re 
 gained the use of his tongue, was on the point of pouring forth his 
 thanks, when father cut him short by saying: "All right, my 
 friend, we will consider all this said. Just move these things in 
 and when you have everything in shape, come into the house. We 
 shall in the meantime put our heads together and see how we can 
 best contrive to put you on your feet once more." 
 
 With that he turned, beckoning Hans and I to follow. Now, 
 isn t he a trump of a father ? I am not of a fighting disposition, 
 but if you want to provoke a quarrel with me just begin to abuse 
 him and you will reach your purpose quicker than you imagined.
 
 120 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 SEPTEMBER THE IST. 
 
 Peter Maurer and his family have become pretty well domiciled 
 in their new quarters, and prove to be very worthy people indeed, 
 whose only fault is the deep humility into which the iron heel of 
 the world has crushed them. "Charity always has that effect," 
 father remarked when I expressed my displeasure at their exhuber- 
 ant professions of gratitude. "If you really want to help these peo 
 ple, give them the opportunity to help themselves. Utter help 
 lessness destroys manliness and engenders this cringing humility at 
 which you so justly take offense." 
 
 Tn accordance with these principles, father Anton has given 
 Peter employment on the domain. He proved to be an excellent 
 wheel-wright, and has been given the commission to make all need 
 ful repairs on the place touching his trade. If he is to be believed, 
 there is no happier mortal living, proving clearly that happiness 
 does not depend upon the amount of our possessions, but the pro 
 per way of using them. Thus one poor mortal has been snatched 
 from the path to ruin ; but what is this one compared with the 
 great mass of Avretches in the same predicament ? Nothing but a 
 drop in the ocean. This thought discourages a fellow, and brings 
 back the often asked, but never answered, question : Is there no 
 remedy for this terrible wrong? For wrong it is, of that I am 
 fully persuaded ; a wrong, too, for which the entire human race is 
 responsible, and for whose commission it suffers the terrible pen 
 alty of its own degradation ; for as father said graphically this 
 morning : "The hope of the favored few, that they will be able to 
 keep from the contamination of a degraded rabble is altogether 
 fallacious. Man is a social being, and a depraved populace will 
 sooner or later draw its leaders into their own slum. You never 
 see a beautiful and healthy head on a leprous body. The disease 
 will sooner or later, but invariably, communicate itself to the head. 
 .If the rich and powerful would only think of this. But the 
 trouble is, they do not think at all. They are so engrossed in the 
 pursuit of their selfish pleasures that they forget the awful truth 
 above enunciated, to say nothing of the equally indisputable fact 
 that a degraded and abused people must and will eventually rise in 
 rebellion and involve the entire community in the most dreadful 
 political and social convulsions."
 
 The Treasure of Montrsuma. 121 
 
 It is strange, is it not, that people should be; so blind to their own 
 interests? We laugh at the monkey, who cannot extricate his hand 
 from a narrow necked bottle, because he refuses to let go the rice 
 he holds, and thus is captured ; but do our privileged classes show 
 greater wisdom? I doubt it. 
 
 OCTOBER THE IST. 
 
 Fall has set in, and with it great activity in the schoolroom. 
 My teacher must have reported rather favorably concerning my 
 progress, for father has manifested his approbation, and signified 
 his intention of sending me to Spain and England next spring. I 
 expressed the hope that he would accompany me, but he shook his 
 head. "It will not do to keep you forever in leading strings. 
 You must learn to guide yourself, or run the risk of running 
 sooner or later onto sandbanks and wreck your ship of life. I 
 know what you will say," he continued, as I wanted to reply. "My 
 company would add greatly to your enjoyment of the journey ; I 
 have no doubt it would ; but for the reason stated you will have to 
 forego this pleasure and weather the storms of the world alone on 
 that occasion. Besides, I want you to add study to pleasure, and 
 investigate the mines and gigantic industries of England on that 
 occasion, a circumstance calculated to make my presence an ob 
 struction." 
 
 This settled the matter, and I shall be obliged to travel alone ; 
 an arrangement which displeased me doubly, because I know that 
 father would have enjoyed the trip hugely, and only decided to re 
 main at home for reasons of expediency. Bertha is as cold and 
 reticent to him as to me, and he and I are such constant companions 
 and so harmonious in our views, aspirations and tastes that he will 
 miss me as much as I ,hall miss him. 
 
 JANUARY THE IST, 1873. 
 
 A new year has set in, and millions have undoubtedly formed 
 new plans and resolutions to-day. Why this should be I have 
 never been exactly able to understand. I suppose the thing can be 
 chiefly traced to the feebleness of our comprehension. We cannot 
 grasp the thought of endless space or time, and in the same way as 
 we absurdedly call this little speck of a planet "THE WORLD," 
 we attempt to measure eternity by years, imagining perhaps huge 
 stakes driven in its endless track, painted in fiery red or glaring
 
 122 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 white, to enable us to keep our punny affairs from running into a 
 chaotic mass. We have reached one of these convenient time 
 stakes to-day, and it behooves me, I suppose, to follow the example 
 of my fellows, and review the three hundred and sixty-five days of 
 the past year. 
 
 I have been unspeakably happy ; so much so, in fact, that I fed 
 a slight pang of conscience at the thought of how much more for 
 tunate I have been than millions of my fellow-beings. I can say 
 truthfully, however, that the wretched condition of so many 
 human beings has been one of the bitterest drops of gall which 
 have trickled into my cup of joy. Father Anton is a nole philan 
 thropist, and it is his thoughts and teachings which have opened 
 my eyes to the abnormal condition of society. Thanks to his 
 efforts, I have become aware not only of the dangers threatening 
 our race but also of the duties which such a recognition imposes 
 upon us. To live blindly on in the pursuit of selfish pleasures, heed 
 less of the awful ruin threatening to engulf us ; acting on the 
 shameful principle of: "Apres nous le dehtye," is a sin so monstrous 
 that all others sink into insignificance in comparison with it. It 
 will just as surely avenge itself as the wake follows the vessel 
 plowing the deep, and the fact that this vengeance may spare this 
 generation, and be poured out on the heads of our children s child 
 ren, instead of making us indifferent, ought, by its awfulness, to 
 arrest the steps of rational, thinking beings, and fill them with the 
 one great thought of: "How can we stop this reckless course, which 
 must inevitably plunge us into a ruin too horrible to contemplate?" 
 
 I, for my part, have formed the resolution to devote my life to 
 the study of this great problem. Some seek fame in the pursuit of 
 knowledge ; others in the field of politics ; but can there be a task 
 so glorious, a fame so dazzling, a vocation so satisfactory as that of 
 a benefactor of the race ; whose name unborn millions will bless in 
 better days, when man has clearer perception of his true interest 
 and philanthropy will take the place of egotism and indifference. 
 
 FEBRUARY TITK Isr. 
 
 I have not much time now for my journal. My studies multi 
 ply and the desire of mastering Spanish and English sufficiently to 
 make the prospective journey profitable, taxes my endurance really 
 to the utmost. Fortunately, I have a vigorous constitution, which
 
 The Treasure of Monteztnua. 123 
 
 gymnastics have developed to the f idlest extent. Father will not 
 permit me to abandon them, even now. 80 I have to take my 
 daily rides in all kinds of weather, and practice in the gymnasium 
 every morning. My music also takes much of my time, although 
 I consider its pursuit rather in the light of recreation than study. 
 My teachers on the violin and piano have both been kind enough 
 to discharge me, with the assurance that I had mastered these in 
 struments ; but even if I take their kind statement as unbiased, I 
 cannot help feeling that only constant daily practice will keep me 
 at the top of the ladder. 
 
 Father had anticipated much pleasure from mine and Bertha s 
 united performances, but these anticipations have proved a total 
 failure. There is absolutely no music in Bertha, and after a series 
 of futile efforts on her part, she had to give it up. Of course, I 
 do not blame her for this failure, for she certainly had no voice in 
 the formation of her talents, but I cannot help feeling sorry at the 
 disappointment of Father Anton, whose slightest wishes are law 
 for me. I do not know what I shall do without him during my 
 journey. I shall certainly write him long daily letters, which for 
 a while must take the place of the diary, the writing of which has 
 been the source of so much pleasure to me.. My departure has 
 been fixed upon for the first of March, and I am to go to Spain 
 first, on account of its milder climate. Father thinks that the heat 
 of the Spanish summer will prevent close application, and that I 
 had, therefore, better spend the summer in England. Well, his 
 will is law ; but I do wish I could persuade him to go along. 
 
 FEBRUARY THE 27Tii. 
 
 I have just returned from K , where I said good-bye to 
 
 uncle Arnold and cousin Philip. The former was very gracious to 
 me, although 1 had to listen to a long sermon on the duty of every 
 young man to become a member of the church which, in this in 
 stance, means the Lutheran Church. I did not wish to hurt his 
 feelings ; but, in my estimation, hypocrisy is one of the meanest 
 of vices ; so, I could not forbear from telling him that at present 
 my convictions forbade me from taking such a step. Father has 
 wronged him, however, by thinking he would scold me. He merely 
 expressed regret, spoke of the conceit of youth which imagines 
 itself to be wiser than the fathers, and expressed his conviction
 
 124 The Trenwre of Monteziuna. 
 
 that this proud self reliance would disappear some day, and give 
 way to that humility which recognizes our weakness and seeks sup 
 port in a higher strength. I really think uncle Arnold a very 
 worthy man, who lives up to his convictions, and that is all, in my 
 opinion, that one ought to demand of an honest man. 
 
 Philip was very friendly, gave me the best of advice, and 
 warned me, jocularly, to be careful and not lose my heart on one 
 of those pretty maidens for which Spain is so noted. Philip has 
 entered the diplomatic career, and fills, in spite of his youth, such 
 high places of trust that his advancement to the first positions of 
 the Empire is only a question of time. He does, however, not 
 share my social vie\vs. The plebs., in his estimation, are only fit 
 to be ruled and must be held in their place, if the world is to pro 
 gress at all. On the whole, his ideas are based on an refined egotism 
 and I must confess that they struck mo unpleasantly ; but, I repeat 
 what I said Before: I believe these views to be based on his con 
 victions, and while I regret that a man of so much learning and 
 intelligence should be so blind to the true interests of his race, 1 
 acknowledge that he is as much entitled to entertain them as I 
 mine. To-morrow morning early I am to start on my tour through 
 France and over the Pyrenees ; so good-bye, my diary, for a while. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 LETTERS. 
 
 At this place the journal took for a while the shape of letters, 
 continued for a number of days, and then dispatched of favor 
 able opportunities. We have no room to insert them all here, but 
 confine ourselves to the presentation of those which throw light 
 upon the character and mental development of the writer. The 
 first one explains how they were embodied in the diary. 
 
 MADRID, April the 1st, 187/5. 
 
 Dear Father : Here I am, and faithful to my vow, I begin the 
 letters in which I shall chronicle the impressions received by the
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 125 
 
 way. Please preserve them, so that I can afterwards incorporate 
 them into my diary. Of one thing I feel now assured ; there is 
 not much pleasure or benefit derived from traveling in a country 
 whose language one does not understand. The truth of this axiom 
 struck me forcibly, before I had been two hours in France. " But," 
 you will remonstrate, "you understand French." I beg your 
 pardon, Father, but you are sadly mistaken ; a circumstance so 
 much the more excusable, as even I have been laboring under the 
 same error. Of course, I can read French pretty readily, and 
 speak it sufficiently to avoid the danger of starvation, but when it 
 comes to understand the natives, and Jearning something about 
 their manners, customs, thoughts and pursuits, i find myself 
 sadly deficient. So I shall make it a point, after my return, to 
 devote the same zeal to French which I have hitRerto bestowed 
 upon Spanish and English. 
 
 You will now understand why I can tell you but little of the 
 French. It is true, traveling in an express train is, even under the 
 most favorable circumstances, poorly calculated to teach one so 
 much of the country through which we speed. You may perceive 
 that the landscape is lovely, but before you can study its character 
 it has run into another of a different type. You see large and 
 populous cities, but the buildings and even streets run into one 
 another so as to prevent the formation of accurate perception. 
 This much, however, I can vouch for ; France is a rich and beauti 
 ful country. I was impressed by the solid prosperity displayed 
 everywhere, and did no longer wonder at the rapidity with which 
 the French paid off their war debt to Germany, although it will 
 take her a good while longer to pay back the loan which her 
 patriotic children were so quick in taking up in the hour of her 
 extremity. 
 
 As you proceed southward, the country assumes more and more 
 a southern cbai acter, and near the Pyrenees you perceive many 
 trees not found in Germany. These Pyrenees are truly grand 
 mountains, and though the railway runs in the valleys and through 
 the passes, yet the temperature became considerably lower, and 
 overcoats were quite in demand. 
 
 Spain is perhaps as beautiful as France, but she evidently does 
 not husband her natural resources very well. The houses are not
 
 126* The Treasure of Mbntezuma. 
 
 so large, and much less tidy, excepting, of course, the churches, 
 Avhich are indeed magnificent edifices, excelling, now by their im 
 mense size and again by their splendor. On a footing with the 
 churches are the numerous convents and monasteries, which are 
 so universally located in the most charming spots that the taste of 
 builders must be admired, whatever one may think of their other 
 merits. Whenever I saw a rich field or a grand old forest and 
 asked about the owner, I received the reply : " Oh, it belongs to 
 this order or that religious sisterhood." I may be mistaken, as my 
 chances for observations were limited, but if the other parts of 
 Spain are like those through which I traveled, the best portion of 
 the country must be in possession of the church or its function 
 aries. 
 
 As you proceed, the crowds of beggars increase, until they at 
 last become a real nuisance. At first, the traveler feels pity for 
 the wretches infesting all the thoroughfares and public places ; but 
 finally either his purse or his patience, or both, become exhausted, 
 and he ceases to patroni/e this class of Spanish gentry. 
 
 Madrid is a magnificent city, but no where can the extremes of 
 great wealth and filthy wretchedness possibly be more strongly 
 traced than here. It tells the sad old story of the few reveling in 
 wealth and the great mass gnawing the bone of hunger. Here the 
 ciyitrast is more striking, and the careful observer can therefore ar 
 rive at conclusions more rapidly than elsewhere. I have repeatedly 
 asked myself the question: "What is the cause of this sad phe 
 nomenon ? " It cannot originate from the climate, for Spain was 
 for centuries the leading nation of Europe. It was perhaps mis- 
 goverened ; perhaps the immense treasures of the New World de 
 stroyed the industry, energy and enterprise of the nation ; perhaps 
 the education ef the people was neglected purposely or 
 wantonly who knows? At all events, the Spaniards has been 
 compelled to take a back seat in the galaxy of nations. 1 am too 
 young to judge correctly of the real causes, nor have I been here- 
 long enough to be entitled to venture an opinion as to the best 
 remedy to be applied ; but this much I know : If there is any part 
 of our globe where reforms are sadly required, and where a power 
 ful agitator could accomplish marvels, Spain is that country. Nor 
 do the people lack in intelligence. There is a vain of humor run-
 
 The Treasure of Monteziuna. 127 
 
 ning through their conversation, although this humor often criti 
 cises their own wretchedness, and is therefore sad. They are 
 shockingly ignorant, but by no means dull, and a good school sys 
 tem would soon make different people out of them. 
 
 JULY THE IST. 
 
 To-morrow I shall leave for England. I can truly say that I 
 leave with much regret, and shall surely revisit this country at 
 some future time, if I am at all in condition to do so. I have 
 learned to love this people ; so crude, so ignorant, and yet so docile 
 and intelligent. I have made several trips through Spain, and thus 
 seen the principal parts. The same splendor of the rich, poverty 
 of the people, and general indolence prevails everywhere. Only 
 here and there I noticed praise-worthy exceptions, and, strange to 
 say, these exceptions could be traced to one and the same cause or 
 rather man, I might say. In some of the rural districts there are 
 colonies in which the land is owned in common, tiie individual pay 
 ing the ground rent, as it were. 
 
 These colonies have all of them excellent schools, from which, 
 to my great surprise, all clerical influence is strictly and jealously 
 excluded. The pupils are taught natural science and mathematics, 
 and these institutes rank high above the average public school of 
 Spain, and yet they are but very sparsely frequented by outsiders. 
 I inquired for the reason. Some colonists would whisper in my ear 
 that the clergy of the surrounding districts are greatly opposed to 
 the colonists, as well as their schools, and that they have to suffer 
 in a measure from the ill favor with which even the government 
 looks upon them. Why is this ? Can the government possibly 
 dislike these silent, and yet eloquent reproaches of their short 
 comings ? I asked the colonists to whom they were indebted for their 
 prosperity, and always received the answer that a certain Sennor 
 Grayo had granted them the land on certain conditions, one of 
 whicli they should never own the land individually, but only col 
 lectively, and that the schools should never be under the influence 
 of the clergy. The deed of conveyance was so strictly drawn that 
 the sligtest violation of its stipulations was sufficient to forfeit the 
 donation. 
 
 " There is no danger of this though," my informant said with 
 a laugh. ""VYe are now so deeply impressed with the excellence of 

 
 128- Th* Trntsure of Montesuma. 
 
 Sennor Grayo s institutions that we would sooner forfeit our lives 
 than them." 
 
 Then I asked where this Sennor lived, but learned that no one 
 knew. He had been there years ago, but had since that time 
 caused himself to be represented by a gentleman living in Madrid, 
 who pays them annual visits and imparts any wishes of theirs to 
 the Sennor. I then asked for the name of this agent, but learned 
 to my vexation that the people were ignorant even of his name, 
 not because there had been any secrecy on his part, but they had 
 never inquired. 
 
 "But you surely must address him in some way when he is 
 here ? " I inquired. 
 
 " Oh, yes, we call him Sennor Kodrigo ; that suffices to transact 
 all the business we have with him." 
 
 I had to content myself with this, although I would have liked 
 much to learn more of a man who seems so much inclined to im 
 prove the condition of the people. 
 
 Farewell, beautiful Spain, I wish I had the power to better 
 thy condition. As it is, I have nothing for thee but my good 
 wishes. 
 
 LONDON, August the 1st. 
 
 What a contrast. One would hardly believe himself on the 
 same globe if the testimony of his senses did not force the contrary 
 conviction upon him. In Spain everybody indolent, the people 
 generally poor, but nevertheless jolly ; here everybody restlessly 
 busy, as if life depended upon the extra effort ; the people 1 hardly 
 less poor, though better fed and clothed, but far from being so 
 jolly. Even the aristocracy of England differs widely from that 
 of Spain. It is not only much more educated, but also more alert 
 to the duties of life ; yet I doubt very much whether they are 
 more alive to the one great duty of caring for the true interest of 
 their fellowmen. They are surely better qualified for comprehend 
 ing and exercising this duty, and for that reason doubly pledged 
 to execute it ; but their own extravagance and the comparative 
 ignorance in which the masses are allowed to grow up, condemn 
 them in the eyes of all fair-minded persons. I learned to-day that 
 entire England is owned by but thirty thousand persons. Can this 
 be true? Does it not embody an iniquity or rather injustice un-
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 129 
 
 speakable ? But supposing ray informant had exaggerated, and it 
 were owned by sixty thousand, would that much lessen the enor 
 mity of the case? Just think of it ! A poor man can have no 
 more hope of acquiring a piece of land in England than he can 
 think of flying to the moon. To attempt the former would be 
 about as great an absurdity as to attempt the latter. And yet the 
 sun shines upon this England, though feebly it must be confessed. 
 And the good people bear their burdens with as good a grace as 
 possible, bow beneath their loads with becoming humility, and shout 
 their " God save the Queen " with a vigor speaking better for their 
 lungs than their understanding. 
 
 I found it much easier to understand the Spaniards than I do 
 the English, a circumstance which I attribute chiefly to the horrid 
 English spelling. The Spaniard has only one sound for each 
 vowal ; the Englishman often six, and the word is so differently 
 pronounced from what it is spelled that it requires a good deal of 
 practice to get used to that absurdity. 
 
 I have been here three weeks, hut i cannot say that I like the 
 country over well. By " country" I mean the people as well as 
 the climate. The latter is truly shocking after a three months so 
 journ in sunny Spain. The people are altogether too much but 
 toned up to suit my taste. I verily believe a fellow might starve 
 in the streets of London without attracting the attention of any 
 body, excepting those charged with and paid for such things. 
 Selfishness seems to be the motto for everybody, and their selfish 
 ness is, moreover, of such a cold and clammy character as to make 
 it doubly horrible in my eyes. 
 
 BIRMINGHAM, September the 1st. 
 
 I am in the great Iron City now, and must confess that I do not 
 like it any better than London. The latter illustrates in a fright 
 ful degree the pernicious tendency of our times to congregate in 
 large centers ; but the concentration is done in such an enticing 
 manner as to lull our fears and captivate our senses. In Birming 
 ham this is different. Everything there is grim and to the point. 
 The grinding out of wealth from human muscles is done in a cold 
 cynical way, shocking to behold. We see these thousands of 
 laborers going daily to their task with the knowledge that, for 
 them, it means nothing but : HAMMER ! HAMMER ! HAM-
 
 ISO The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 MER! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! all the time, with, 
 perhaps, plenty of breakfast for the stomach, it is true ; but with 
 few or none of the intellectual pleasures which make life worth 
 living. We know these facts, but we have neither the time nor 
 the courage to stop the injustice, or even to say to the owners of 
 these gigantic establishments: " Stop ! Don t you see that you are 
 harder than your grindstones, for you grind down human life while 
 they only grind steel and iron." 
 
 MANCHESTER, September the loth. 
 
 Here I am in another great center, only that it is not a metal, 
 but a textile center. It cannot be denied that there is something 
 overwhelming in these tremendous concentrations of human in 
 dustry and energy, only there is so much misery connected with 
 them that sadness imperceptibly tinges our admiration. Here in 
 Manchester you can see all the materials from which man ever wove 
 textile fabrics. All countries and zones are represented, and so all 
 machinery invented for the purpose of lightening human labor. 
 Alas, that ought to be the purpose, but thus far machinery has 
 only had the tendency to favor the great capitalists at the expense 
 of his poor competitor, and to enhance the dangerous concentration 
 of the masses in few places. I call this tendency pernicious, be 
 cause it alienates man more and more from Mother Earth, and 
 causes him to lead artificial rather than a natural life. As long as 
 the people contented themselves with tilling the soil they were not 
 so apt to accumulate large fortunes, but they were on the other 
 hand not subjected to the frequent ruinous financial convulsions 
 which now shake society to the very center. They were, moreover, 
 subject to the ennobling influences of nature and her charmes ; 
 and, after spending a frugal and peaceful life, could die with the 
 comforting conviction that they had been as happy and pure as in 
 nocent pleasures could make them. The feverish restlessness which 
 now pervades all circles, shortening life and incapacitating us for 
 its enjoyment while it lasts, was then unknown. True, people then 
 transacted less business in a month than at present in a week ; but 
 is it the amount of business we ought to aim at, or the most judi 
 cious way of enjoying its fruits ? I think all philanthropists ought 
 to unite in powerful effort in bringing people back to the old ways
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 131 
 
 of living, which, it less exciting, were certainly more conclusive "to 
 true happiness. 
 
 In England such an attempt would be almost impossible, for 
 the possession of the land by a diminutive but strongly entrenched 
 minority renders any attempt in the direction of such a reform al 
 most hopeless ; but there are other countries in which, fortunately, 
 large tracts of land are still to be had at low figures. In such 
 countries a systematic effort should and could be made. If I were 
 a millionaire, I would buy large tracts of land and establish 
 colonies on the plan of Sennor Grayo. It strikes me that his idea 
 of a common possession of the land is correct. Land cannot be 
 made by human industry, and ought therefore, not to be owned in 
 dividually. Yes, if 1 had my say, I would hold out great induce 
 ments to the people to leave the crowded manufacttiries and return 
 to a more natural and consequently more genial life. Apropos, I 
 have found traces of Sennor Grayo in England also, although here 
 they call him Sir Grey, which, in my estimation, is merely a trans 
 lation. Last week I spent a couple of days at a little village, 
 Avhose municipal institutions resembled Senuor Grey s Spanish 
 colonies as much as one egg does another. The same common 
 ownership of land ; the same exclusion of clergical influence ; the 
 same prosperity of the colonists. By the way, this Sir Grrey must 
 be a real Croesus, for he has bought a very large estate here for a 
 sum surpassing by far the means of a man of moderate wealth. 
 Here, as in Spain, there is much opposition to the scheme in the 
 neighborhood, although this opposition emanates from the monied 
 classes. They fear probably the practical illustration and execution 
 of ideas detrimental to their exclusive possession of the soil, and 
 therefore endeavor to excite the alarm of the conservative elements 
 against the innovation. Here the colonists are more practical than 
 in Spain, and therefore, better able to give information concerning 
 Sir Grey. True, they know little or nothing about him, personally ; 
 for he has not been in England for several years ; but they could at 
 least tell me that he has a house in London, at Hampton Court, 
 and that his agent can be found there at all times. I shall not fail 
 to pay him a visit on my return to London, for I feel a deep in 
 terest in a man of such benevolent views. When he learns my 
 motive for molesting him, he will surely pardon my intrusion.
 
 132 The Treasure of Montezama. 
 
 GLASGOW, October the 1st. 
 
 I arrived at this great industrial ship-building center two days 
 ago. I have already expressed my opinion concerning such centers, 
 and need, therefore, not repeat them at this place ; but I cannot 
 help expressing once more my admiration for the grand practical 
 result of such combinations. We undoubtedly owe almost all 
 modern achievements to this tendency of uniting efforts, and it 
 must also be admitted that the purposes of these combinations are 
 more rational than those of old. We had such combinations even 
 as early as the days of Sesostris and Rameses, and the Pyramids of 
 Egypt are proofs thereof, although it is more than likely that these 
 ancient combinations were the result of despotic dictates, and not 
 voluntary unions. It is, in reality, not the corporations but their 
 abuses against which we ought to guard. At present they have 
 abandoned their legitimate province and, by selfish greed and 
 criminal egotism, become inimical instead of condusive to the com 
 mon welfare. 
 
 The Scotch are a sober, industrious and hospitable people ; but 
 they are singularly fanatical in their religious views for so sensible 
 a nation. The observance of the Sabbath is carried to ridiculous 
 extremes. They hardly cook or do other domestic work on Sunday, 
 and seem entirely to forget the great truth which the founder of 
 Christianity endeavored to inculate in His followers, namely, that 
 "man is not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man." 
 His disciples do not seem to have been capable of freeing them 
 selves from the idea of the old Jewish Sabbath, and thus we have 
 now the lamentable fact that fanatics and hypocrits do their best to 
 deprive the people of the benificent influence of the only day of 
 rest they possess. In this respect the Spaniards are far ahead of 
 their northern brethern. They wisely use Sunday as a day of rec 
 reation, recognizing, perhaps, the absurdity of the idea that the 
 Divinity which they worship could be pleased and influenced by 
 the observance of certain days or ceremonies. Whatever His 
 nature may be, I feel confident that He cannot be swerved from 
 His purpose by human supplications, or pleased by adoration. 
 Such would, indeed, be the trait of an Oriental despot who, I fear, 
 sat as a pattern, when the ancient founders of creeds modeled their 
 great creative cause.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 133 
 
 LONDON, NOVEMBER IST. 
 
 Here I am once more in the great modern Babel, where the 
 confusion of tongues is probably as great as in that of ancient times. 
 They do not build a tower now reaching into heaven, but they come 
 mighty near it. Indeed, the works of modern engineering far 
 outstrip those of antiquity, and, if we would enumerate them all 
 as wonders, we would have a long list to remember. 
 
 London is another place where the widest extremes touch one 
 another. Such colossal wealth on one hand, and such degrading 
 poverty on the other, are crying monuments of shame of the selfish 
 ness of our age ; though it must be admitted that it is less the indi 
 vidual depravity of our millionairs than a faulty principle under 
 lying our social structure which is to be blamed. It cannot be de 
 nied that the greatest progress now-a-days is inseparably united 
 with the most abject poverty. If it is really true that such a com 
 bination is an unavoidable and logical necessity, I cannot help 
 uttering the fervent wish that such cruel progress may speedily 
 come to an end. 
 
 I called to-day at the residence of Sir Grey, but received the 
 unwelcome reply that Mr. Braun, the agent, is at present on the 
 Continent and not expected back for two weeks. As I shall leave 
 England to-morrow, I shall have to forego, at present, the pleasure 
 of learning more of a person so well worthy of a more intimate ac 
 quaintance. On the occasion of my call at Hampton Court, I met 
 with and old German who, on learning my name, became visibly 
 agitated, and then told me that he had known my father and was 
 well acquainted with father Anton Stamm. He seemed inclined to 
 be communicative, and yet afraid to speak freely about Sir Grey. 
 When I left, he asked me where I might be found and, on learning 
 the name of my hotel, asked my permission to pay me a visit be 
 fore my departure. This I granted with pleasure, but up to this 
 late hour, 10 o clock P. M., I have not seen the old fellow, whose 
 name I forgot to ascertain in the hurry.
 
 134 The. Treasure of Montezinna. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 HOME, SWEET HOME. 
 
 Here the letters come to an end. We fear, the reader will have 
 found them less enticing than Inez; but he must remember the 
 powerful effect of the revelations which their perusal caused to How 
 upon her in a continued stream. We have too good an opinion of 
 the reader s intelligence to offer any explanations at this place 
 and, looking once more over the shoulder of the fair girl, we read: 
 
 ANTONSIIP V UE, NOVEMKER THE 2OrH. 
 
 Home again ! What a volume in a few words. Much as I en 
 joyed my journey, the sensations which now fill my breast 
 are infinitely the sweeter. I have been at home a week, and the 
 feelings of rapture which at first ran riot are gradual!} calming 
 down to a delightful stillness, Of course, the welcome of my 
 father was all I could anticipate. Aunt Mariamia w r as hardly less 
 demonstrative in her satisfaction and has ever since given me 
 practical proofs of it in the shape of cakes and SAveetmeats. Even 
 Bertha was a little more accessible, although she has long since re 
 lapsed into her customary reticence. Peter Maurer and his family 
 would undoubtedly have been loud and noisy in their tokens of 
 affection if they had not learned by this time that I dislike such 
 gushing outpourings, and are altogether too grateful for what little 
 I have been able to do for them to do anything calculated to dis 
 please me. I am glad to see that the entire family continues to re 
 ceive father s approbation. I have heard him say that he was glad 
 of the misfortune which brought the family to the farm, not only 
 for their sake, but for his own. Christina, the oldest daughter, has 
 proved an excellent assistant in the garden, and keeps the flower 
 and kitchen gardens so scrupulously clear of weeds and caterpillers 
 that she has made a complete conquest of father. Mrs. Maurer 
 assists Marianna in cases of necessity, and does the work assigned 
 her so efficiently and expeditiously that the spinster declares she 
 can breathe more freely in the consciousness of such reliable help. 
 So you see that virtue sometimes brings its own reward, even in 
 this world, though I, for my part, could never understand that 
 there is much merit in a goodness whose motive is the expectancy
 
 The Treasure of Monteztima. 135 
 
 of a future reward ; or, for that matter, the fear of the devil, 
 either. It is interesting to trace the history of his Satanic Majesty 
 from the earliest ages. At first people seem to have considered the 
 power of the good and evil spirit about even, for they worshipped 
 the former to gain his protection and the latter to escape his wrath. 
 Gradually, but rather illogically, the good spirit is given the 
 ascendancy, but, strange to say, the devil is still to be feared. It 
 .strikes me that the church invented this drastic figure much for the 
 same purpose that parents invented the Belznickle, i. e. frighten 
 ing big children into obedience. I sincerely doubt the propriety of 
 such expedients, but will let it pass for the dark and uncouth ages; 
 but how sensible people of our age can stulify themselves by con 
 tinuing to teach a devil passes my comprehension. I marvel how 
 they can reconcile the idea of a just God with that of a malignant 
 being wlio takes delight in destroying creatures, owing their exis 
 tence to the former, who knows the danger to which they are con 
 stantly exposed and yet suffers this malignant being or spirit 
 to exist and proceed unchecked with his nefarious operations. If 
 a human being were guilty of such ambiguous conduct, he would 
 not only not receive the attributes of the just and kind, but be taken 
 to task and properly berated. Nor can the degree of the quality 
 change the matter in my opinion. I know many persons who will 
 pronounce these words impious, but never stop to ask themselves 
 whether their own ideas of the creative power might not possibly 
 be erroneous. It is so much easier to abuse and condemn than to 
 refute that one ought really not to wonder at such inconsistency. 
 
 My studies will soon begin again in good ernest, although they 
 must, of necessity, change in character. English and Spanish have 
 indeed, ceased to be studies for me. I think I can truthfully say- 
 that I speak them both with ease and facility ; all that is necessary 
 in regard to them is to keep up my practice. With English this 
 will not be difficult, since there are many English families residing 
 here, who are kind enough to converse with me as much as I want. 
 As to Spanish, matters are a little more difficult, and I have there 
 fore resolved to learn Don Quixote by heart, a page at a time. 
 
 APRIL THE IST, 1884. 
 The winter has passed ; and oh ! how quickly has it slipped
 
 Io6 The Treasure of Monteziuim. 
 
 away. I have given chemistry and mathematics the lion s share of 
 ray attention, and derived so much pleasure from the pursuit that 
 I can hardly call it study. Nor is this a wonder. Father puts the 
 theory of the books at once into such delightful practice, by the 
 buying or building of the machinery on which they treat ; or in the 
 case of chemistry, by the preparation of all the articles discussed, 
 that only a vandal could keep from feeling the deepest interest in 
 the proceedings. Father has caused a labratory to be erected, and 
 there are few salts and acids which I have not prepared with my 
 own hands. In the machine shop Peter Maurer plays an important 
 role. True, he does not understand all the principles governing 
 the construction of machinery, but he is very practical, and learns 
 with a rapidity highly gratifying. It must surely cost father a 
 great deal of money to indulge me in these and many other expen 
 sive things ; but I can do nothing more than receive them with a 
 grateful spirit, for, when I once broached the subject, lie smiled 
 and said earnestly : 
 
 " Do not allow this to worry you. You owe me no thanks 
 whatever, and when you learn all 
 
 He stopped short, and as I knew that it would be idle to press 
 him in such matters, I desisted and have not renewed my attempt 
 since. When I refered to Sir Grey, a strange smile played on his 
 face. 
 
 " Why," he said, "he has similar colonies in Germany. Didn t 
 you know that?" 
 
 " Not a word. And where are they, pray ?" 
 
 "One in Pomerania, a second one in Moravia and a third in 
 Wirtemberg." 
 
 " So near? It is certainly strange that you never told me 
 about them." 
 
 " Well, not so strange perhaps," he said pensively. "There 
 are so many things to be learned, you know, that some must needs 
 be delayed. 
 
 "But won t you, please, take me there some day? I am very 
 anxious to know more about this wonderful man." 
 
 Father smiled and said he would and then the subject was 
 dropped. Recently, at the instigation of father, I have begun the 
 study of political economy. What a grand subject; in comparison
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 137 
 
 with which all other studies sink into utter insignificance. One 
 might properly call it the study of material prosperity of the peo 
 ple. It may be well enough to attend to the spiritual prosperity, 
 with reference to a future condition, if such there be : but when a 
 person or creed exalts the latter at the expense of the former ; when 
 he or it offers the shadow for the substance, and tries to lull the 
 people into an unmanly endurance of injustice and oppression, in 
 pointing out the prospects of a future bliss meeted out in just pro 
 portion to the earthly privations, set that person or creed down 
 as a foe to the human race. 
 
 How careful a person ought to be in advancing a theory in this 
 science ! A theory which, if once accepted as true and yet is 
 erroneous, may plunge millions more deeply into misery, instead of 
 extricating them. That some of the principles now generally ac 
 cepted as true are indeed false is evident ; else the human family 
 would not be in so wretched a condition, which becomes even more 
 wretched as our apparent progress goes on. Oh, for the teacher 
 that could point out to us the right direction to pursue ; yes, that 
 could only awaken the prosperous but thoughtless minority to the 
 fact that they are standing on a volcano, which may not explode 
 to-day or to-morrow, but the eruption of which will certainly some 
 day hurl them to an awful destiny. 
 
 Our space does not permit us to give the diary in full. We 
 omit three years and turn to January the 1st, 1877, as the date on 
 which to resume the perusal. We may, however, state in a few 
 words that Arthur Grau continued his studies on the judicious plan 
 which we have seen traced out in the preceding pages. If costly, 
 it is surely an efficient one, and resulted in procuring for our young 
 friend an education as broad as it was thorough. He paid his chief 
 attention to the mastery of chemistry, in its broadest sense, and 
 mathematics, applied to engineering, building of bridges, tunnels, 
 railroads and the like. He, moreover, was a master on several in 
 struments, and could speak three foreign languages with the readi 
 ness of a native. We shall hereafter find time to say a few words 
 on education, and then prove that it requires no extraordinary in 
 telligence to master all the branches above indicated, if only the
 
 138 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 proper mode of instruction is pursued. But enough of our own 
 words. A\ T e give room to Arthur to finish his journal. 
 
 AxTOXsurHK, January the 1st, 1-S7T. 
 
 I have now finished my studies, as the saying is ; but how 
 erroneous is this saying. Before me lies the big school of the 
 world, in which I will soon be asked to show whether my training 
 in the elementary school is worth anything at all. On the first day 
 of April 1 shall be twenty-one, and thus entitled to receive the in 
 formation to which Father Anton has pointed so frequently, and 
 for which I have waited so patiently ; nay, let me be honest and say 
 impatiently. For the fact that these revelations will be matters of 
 no small moment the character of father is a sufficient guarantee. 
 But to speculate on their nature would, of course, be more thar 
 idle, so I must make a virtue of necessity and arm myself with a 
 philosophical indifference, which I am far from feeling. Father 
 says that I am to start on a great jorney nay, voyage from which 
 I assume that he intends to send me across the ocean. I asked him 
 whether he meant to accompany me, to which he shook his head, 
 adding, however : "I may possibly soon join you in the place where 
 you are going. Yes, I may hold out the prospect that I shall be 
 there very soon, but to speak definitely is beyond my power." 
 
 MARCH THE 31sT, 10 O CLOCK P. M. 
 
 What wonderful information I have received this evening, and 
 yet it is merely an introduction to what to-morrow will bring. 
 After supper, father called me into his study, bade me take a chair, 
 and proceeded as follows : 
 
 "Arthur, to morrow you are twenty-one, and I may as well give 
 you now such information as will prepare you for the communica 
 tions 1 shall have to make to-morrow. In doing this, I shall have 
 to step from the exalted pedestal I have until now occupied in your 
 estimation ; but I trust that even when you learn that I have 
 been merely the agent of another, you will nevertheless continue 
 to love me as of old. To make you understand what I shall tell 
 you, I will have to go back to the period of your infancy. It is 
 now about nineteen years, and I was sitting in this self-same chair, 
 when suddenly the door opened and a man muffled in a large cloak 
 stepped into the room. He wore a slouched hat with a wide rim,
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. Io9 
 
 and this, together with the dusk of evening, which was fast settling 
 upon the region, prevented me from recognizing the sti anger. It 
 was only when a well-known voice accosted me with: "Guten 
 Abend, Anton ; " that I recognized the visitor. 
 
 " Good Heavens, Herbert Grau ! " I cried with a mixture of 
 delight and consternation, and then springing to my feet, rushed 
 upon the new-comer and drew him into an ardent embrace. To 
 understand my feelings, you must know that the stranger was my 
 dearest friend, but then an exile from his native country. He had 
 taken an active part in the revolution of 48, been captured, court- 
 martialed and sentenced to be shot, which cruel fate he escaped, 
 however, by flight." 
 
 " Oh, yes !" I interrupted ; " I know all about that, for cousin 
 Philip told me more than once uncle Arnold knew some secret 
 passage of this mansion where he was imprisoned, and in that way 
 helped him to escape." 
 
 "At these words an expression of ferocity, such as I had never 
 seen before, passed over father s face. Before I could recover f rom 
 my astonishment at this manifestation of deadly hostility in one 
 genenerally so gentle, father replied: "We all thought so fora 
 while, and gladly would I have given a year of my life for a con 
 tinuation of such belief ; for the revelation which destroyed it also 
 destroyed faith in human nature. I hate to disclose to your youth 
 ful eyes a picture of such black depravity, but the necessity of 
 self defense, to which you yourself may be forced some day, in 
 duces me to overcome my repugnance. 
 
 "For five years we all considered Arnold Grau the disinterested 
 saviour of Herbert, but when the life of sister Laura, who as you 
 are aware w r as wedded to him, drew to an end, she sent for me and 
 made disclosures which gave me an insight into a soul so black that 
 a demon would have shrunk from it in dismay." 
 
 Father drew a deep breath and paused a moment as if over 
 come by the recollection of the horrible things he was about to re 
 veal. I, for my part, sat motionless, overcome by the anticipation 
 of a dreadful blow. After a few moments, father resumed : 
 
 " What my sister told me was this : A few months before, an 
 old servant who lay at the point of death had sent for her to en 
 trust to her a last greeting to Herbert Grau, who has always been
 
 140 The Treasure of Montezunui. 
 
 his favorite and whose youthful plays he had watched and 
 guided." 
 
 "Tell him," he said, "that I never resigned the hope of seeing 
 him again, and that of all my deeds none ever gave me such un 
 bounded satisfaction as his rescue from prison, which I was for 
 tunate enough to accomplish." 
 
 "Laura heard these words with ama/.ement, nay with horror, 
 which you will comprehend in a minute. You helped him from his 
 prison ? She gasped faintly. It was, it must have been at the in 
 stigation of my husband ? The dying man shook his head, and 
 the question seemed to strike him as ludicrous, for in spite of his 
 feeble condition, he smiled cunningly and said: He? Indeed, 
 madam, he is the last person who would have lent a hand in such 
 an undertaking. I hope I shall not hurt your feelings by saying 
 that he always hated my boy. 
 
 "That was poor Laura s death blow, and no wonder. With tears 
 and swoons she then told me the horrible story of that ominous 
 night. As 1 said before, Herbert was imprisoned in our mansion, 
 which, at that moment served the Prussians for their headquarters. 
 Laura had learned the dreadful fate of Herbert, and as she was 
 his betrothed, and loved him with all the fervor of her soul, you 
 may imagine the state of mind into which the news threw her. I 
 was a fugitive at the time, having also participated in the revolu 
 tion. So, the poor girl did not know at first to whom to turn for help 
 or advice. At last an evil genius made her think of Arnold, who 
 was also in the mansion in the capacity of a judge. Laura knew 
 him to be in high favor with the Prussian commander : so she 
 hastened to his room, and begged him with all the fervor of love 
 and despair to save the life of her betrothed. At first he plead 
 Avant of power ; but when she would take no excuses, he broached 
 the fiendish scheme which puts the keenest deviltry of a demon 
 into the shade. Very well, he said at last, I will undertake to save 
 Herbert, but only >at the price of your hand. Then he told her 
 that he had always loved her, but kept silent on account of the 
 hopelessness of his passion. Now, however, was his chance, and 
 he meant to benefit by it. So, if she really wanted to save Herbert, 
 she must do it at the sacrifice of her love. The girl was so over 
 whelmed by this fiendish suggestion that she was quite stupefied,
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 141 
 
 and for a while incapable of replying. Then, however, she cast 
 herself at his feet, and plead with him to relinquish an idea which 
 would at once destroy all her chances for happiness. Little did she 
 know the fiend to whom she prayed. She might have moved a stone, 
 but his heart was harder than a stone. Her failure threw her into 
 a frenzy ; indeed, I do honestly believe that she was not in posses 
 sion of her reasoning faculties, when, at length, she made the 
 awful vow to wed this devil incarnate, in case he would accom 
 plish Herberts escape. He left her with the avowed purpose of 
 Making the attempt ; nor did he that night, or ever after, let her 
 know that the rescue had been achieved without his assistance. I 
 knew all the time that her wedded life was a wretched one ; but 
 the thought of her self-sacrifice sustained her. Imagine, then, the 
 blow which the old servant s revelation must have been to her. In 
 vain ! was the thought that made her brain whirl and sapped her 
 strength, until merciful death stepped in and took an unbearable 
 burden off her. " 
 
 Again he stopped, until a groan of anguish, which I could not 
 repress, startled him into consciousness. 
 
 " Yes, my boy, he resumed ; it is enough to make the stout 
 est tremble ; but I must not dwell upon it, lest the thought of it 
 might drive me into frenzy, and cause me to take upon myself the 
 role of the avenger. But to return to Herbert s arrival. 
 
 " You here V I cried in amazement and alarm ; if the gover- 
 ment should track you ? 
 
 "Fear not, he replied with a sad smile; I have been cau 
 tious ; besides the Herbert Grau of to-day is not the helpless youth 
 of yore. He has money and with money you can buy the world. 
 But my time is limited, let us come to the point. I have a favor 
 to ask. 
 
 "Speak, I replied. You know, before hand, that I shall 
 grant it, if in my power. 
 
 " I want you to undertake the guardianship and education of 
 the infant son of cousin Guido ; who, as you know died with the 
 fever he contracted in Africa. 
 
 " As did his wife, I added. 
 
 " Exactly ; that is the reason I asked the favor. What do you 
 say?
 
 142 The Treasure of Mbntezuma. 
 
 I shook my head. Times have changed sadly for the worse 
 since your departure, I replied moodily ; it you knew all. 
 
 " I do know all, he replied ; your brother has gambled all 
 his wealth away, leaving you the unpleasant necessity of selling the 
 estate to cover the most urgent debts. 
 
 " Well, if you know, I do not see how you can ask me to un 
 dertake the task of raising this boy ? 
 
 " I had not finished, Anton ; to how much does the indebted- 
 ness of your brother amount ? 
 
 " To so much that only a Croesus could extricate me. The es 
 tate is burdened to the fearful sum of one hundred thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 " And if I furnish you with this sum, is there anything else in 
 the way of the fulfillment of my wishes? 
 
 " Nothing, I replied ; startled at the coolness with which he 
 uttered these words. 
 
 " Well, then, here is the money. Count it ; I think you will 
 find it all right. 
 
 1 received the money mechanically, like one in a dream, who 
 fears all the while that he will wake to a cruel reality. I had just 
 then entered upon the legacy left me by my brother, whom the 
 world had considered wealthy, but who was worse than penniless, 
 for the sale of the fine estates would not have covered all his debts, 
 which were mostly so-called debts of honor, contracted in gambling 
 with boon companions of high social standing but low character. 
 He had given notes, which had been bought up by a Jewish bank 
 ing house of K . The sale was to come off the following day, 
 
 and you may therefore imagine the feelings with which I handled 
 the bank notes which were to save me from ruin. I think, if Her 
 bert had asked me at that moment to pull four back teeth from the 
 emperor s mouth in return for that money, I would have consented 
 without hesitation. Never shall I forget the words with which he 
 then addressed me. 
 
 " Very well," he said ; "I shall annually place at your disposal 
 the sum of SI, 000, to defray the expenses of your charge. Here, 
 take these bills; they form the first year s installment. Now, as to 
 the mode of education, listen well to my instructions, which I have 
 w 7 ritten down to avoid misunderstandings.
 
 The Treamre of Montezuma. 143 
 
 With this he drew forth a paper and began to read. I have the 
 paper still in my possession, but so deeply have the words engraved 
 themselves into my memory that I can recite them without the aid 
 of the document. They are as follows : 
 
 " Directions which are to guide my friend Anton Stamm in the 
 education of my ward, Arthur Grau. 
 
 "As it is my desire to raise my ward to as perfect a specimen of 
 humanity as the imperfections of our nature will permit, I desire 
 my friend Anton to take equal care in the development of his soul 
 and body. The motto of the ancients Mem sana in corpore s<,mo, 
 is too evidently correct to be overlooked. I, therefore, exhort my 
 friend to harden the body of his charge, from infancy, in a judi 
 cious manner ; by baths and other means approved in modern 
 hygiene. The boy shall practice gymnastic exercises from his 
 earliest youth, and to such an extent that he is very tired on retir 
 ing to his bed. I strictly forbid the use of coffee, tea, wine and 
 beer until his eighteenth year. Also the use of all tropical spices, 
 as they excite the nerves and produce an appetite for sensual 
 pleasures calculated to stunt the growth. As soon as the boy is old 
 enough, /. e., nine or ten years, I desire to have him instructed in 
 all manly sports, such as swimming, riding, boxing, fencing, turnen 
 and the like. Nor shall he obtain a mere smattering of them, but 
 become as thorough as perseverence and the best of teachers can 
 make him. It is probable that the work I have in store for him 
 may expose him to all sorts of trials and dangers, and it is for this 
 reason that I want his body so well developed, without regard to 
 the motto above mentioned. His studies shall be practical and 
 thorough. If time permits, he may acquire a moderate knowledge 
 of Latin and Greek ; but his tuition in modern languages must be 
 both thorough and practical. I desire Arthur to learn to speak, 
 read and write Spanish and English well. If he has time for 
 French, let it be added to the list. I desire him to be instructed by 
 native teachers, as they alone can impart the proper pronunciation. 
 Let expense be no consideration. If the sum I have set out for 
 that purpose does not suffice, I shall send more. 
 
 "I beg my friend Anton to take special care of Arthur s instruc 
 tion in natural science and mathematics. If the museum of K 
 does not afford facilities for seeing specimens of wild animals
 
 144 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 of all kinds, I beg my friend to supply such opportunities by 
 travels, illustrations, and, as much as possible, Avhen the boy he- 
 gins to apply the principles of mathematics, let him put the knowl 
 edge acquired into practice by building and handling machinery. 
 Build for him a good labratory, and let him prepare, as much as 
 is practicable, the substances whose elements he has learned to 
 know. Let him be thoroughly instructed in mining, road and 
 bridge building and modern engineering in general. Let him 
 travel and visit the great centers of industry and the countries 
 whose languages he has learned to speak. 
 
 But, while you thus feed his mind and develop his body, do not 
 neglect his heart and morals. By the latter I do not mean a com 
 plicated code. Just instill into him the manliness of truthfulness, 
 and the rest will take care of itself. Teach him to be modest and 
 respect old age ; indeed to respect the rights of others. Inspire 
 him with a deep and fervent love, not for his countrymen in par 
 ticular, but his race in general. Show him the injustice practiced 
 by so many, either in criminal indifference or selfish consciousness. 
 In short, show him that there is no higher nor nobler life than that 
 spent in the service of mankind." 
 
 Here father stopped. I was glad, for I was still revelling in 
 the noble sentiments so ably expressed in the instructions form 
 ulated for my special benefit. Suddenly the thought struck me, 
 how fortunate I was to have been singled out by this extraordinary 
 man, and to have received an education which surpassed the oppor 
 tunities of thousands and whose excellencies I was old enough to 
 appreciate. I now saw clearly that it was by his direction that 
 father Anton has pursued such a judicious course, and the desire to 
 make, his personal acquaintance, and show my intense gratitude by 
 my actions, suddenly sprang up in my mind, and soon gained an ir 
 resistible force. By this time father had regained his usual equa 
 nimity. He handed me the paper containing the instructions and 
 said: 
 
 "I see it plainly: from this day I will have to take a back seat 
 in your thoughts. Nay, do not excuse yourself for a thing which 
 is so natural. I tell you, my boy, to know Herbert Grau is to 
 love him. As yet you know nothing except what can be inferred 
 from these few lines, and yet you feel irresistibly drawn towards
 
 The Treasure of Monteziima. 145 
 
 him. Judge then of the love you will bear him when you see him 
 face to face ; when you listen to his grand thoughts, breathing the 
 purest philanthropy ; when you become, in short, an inmate of his 
 home." 
 
 "And is this, indeed, to be my fate?" I asked enthusiastically, 
 thrilled to the very core by father s eloquence. 
 
 "Indeed, it will be, my boy. To-morrow I am to hand you a 
 sealed letter of your, or rather our, benefactor containing his in 
 structions." 
 
 "And do you know where he lives? " 
 
 " Merely that he lives somewhere in Mexico." 
 
 "But why do you not accompany me ? I certainly owe this 
 man a heavy debt of gratitude, but my obligations to you are 
 equally great. If you had not so skillfully executed his directions, 
 the result might have been very different, and if I am to lose you 
 by gaining him my heart will be divided and my energies fettered 
 by my longing for your company." 
 
 "I must have spoken warmly, for I saw tears gathering in his 
 eyes. 
 
 "I thank you, my boy, for these manifestations of affection," he 
 said, wringing my hand fervently; "but, have no fears, for we 
 shall undoubtedly be united at an early date. Herbert has ten 
 dered me more than one pressing invitation to join him, and it is 
 more than probable that I shall, sooner or later, go to Friedensthal, 
 as he calls his Mexican colony. At the present, however, important 
 duties tie me here. Before leaving I shall have to secure Bertha s 
 future." 
 
 "But why not leave her Antonsruhe? That would surely keep 
 her from want. 
 
 "So it would, but you forget that Antonsruhe does not belong 
 to me." 
 
 "Not belong to you ! To whom, then, on earth does it belong?" 
 
 "To Herbert Grau, of course," he replied earnestly. "Did 
 you forget the large sum he loaned me, to save the estate?" 
 
 "No, sir; but does he really consider it in the light of a loan? " 
 
 "Never said so; but I do not see that that would make any 
 difference. I had no right to expect such a priacely gift from him, 
 and have always considered myself in the light of a steward, who 
 
 IO
 
 146 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 has, sooner or later, to give an account of his actions. If Herbert 
 meant this as a gift, it was probably intended for you." 
 
 "For me !" I cried in amazement. " In that case I transfer the 
 gift at once to Bertha." 
 
 "A generosity which I fully appreciate, but to execute which 
 you have no right. Atone time," he continued, hesitatingly, "I 
 entertained hopes which promised to solve the gordian knot ; but 
 they have vanished long since." 
 
 "And these hopes may I learn their nature?" 
 
 "I hardly know," he said, musingly ; "and yet, you will not 
 abuse my C"nfidenee, so I may as well tell you. I entertained at 
 one time the fond hope of seeing you and Bertha married some 
 day." 
 
 Bertha and I married ! Such thoughts had surely never entered 
 my mind. She had always been so distant that the very possibility 
 of her ever loving or marrying anybody had never been the sub 
 ject of serious consideration. But while the thought of a union 
 with her had nothing particularly enticing, it was also equally far 
 from having anything repugnant. Be-ides, father s slightest wishes 
 had always been laws to me ; so the very fact that such a union 
 would be a gratification to him caused it to appear to me in a light 
 quite plausible. 
 
 " Well," I replied; "if such an idea is very dear to you, I, for 
 my part, shall not raise any serious objections." 
 
 A happy light gleamed in father s eyes. 
 
 "Then you love her?" he inquired earnestly. 
 
 "Not to my knowledge," I replied, shaking my head. "If I do, 
 the love must be very different from the sort you read so much 
 about in novels, for it has not affected either my sleep or my 
 appetite." 
 
 "Well, we ll see," father said, thoughtfully, and thus we parted. 
 
 Arm L THE TTH. 
 
 Only a week has passed since my last entry in this Journal, and 
 yet how many events, both startling and sad, have been crowded 
 into this short period. First of all, father Anton is dead. I must 
 look up, gaze around, yea, feel my hand or face to convince myself 
 that I do not dream. Alas ! It is but too true. The kind father, 
 the wise teacher, the genial companion is no longer amongst the
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 147 
 
 living. What that signifies I can feel but cannot express. I feel 
 as if life had suddenly lost all its interest. Yes, even the startling 
 developments of the last evening we spent together have lost their 
 charm, and gladly would I sacrifice all the glorious prospects 
 which father s communications brought then into view, if, by so do 
 ing, I could bring him back to life. 
 
 I have just now learned a new lesson ; the first lesson of the 
 great school of life the lesson of sorrow. It must be studied, I 
 suppose, to be profitable, but such study is so painful that I try to 
 shun the very thought of my loss. But I shall make an effort to 
 overcome such weakness and, as a penalty, record the details. 
 
 On the morning following the interview described, I heard a 
 loud knocking at my door, and then Marianna s voice, in tones so 
 full of anguish and despair that I at once sprang from my bed and 
 inquired what was the matter. 
 
 "Oh, Arthur! she sobbed and moaned ; come quick, father 
 Anton is dead. 
 
 I heard her words very plainly, but their import was so strange, 
 so improbable, that I would not trust my ears. Yet I feared to ask. 
 Dressing more rapidily than I had ever dressed before, I rushed 
 into the hall and thence, as I found it empty, into father s room. 
 Here the shocking truth broke upon me with an overwhelming 
 force. There he sat in his armchair, before his open secretary ; his 
 arms hanging listlessly at his sides. Marianna stood near him, 
 holding her apron to her eyes and crying as if her heart would 
 break. I had no experience in such matters, but yet saw at once 
 that a stroke of apoplexy had ended his life, if ended it was. Per 
 haps the spark of life had not yet expired. Acting upon this 
 slight hope, I said hurriedly : Marianna have you sent for the doc 
 tor ? She shook her head, saying, there was no use, for her poor 
 master was dead; had been dead for hours, for his body was cold as 
 ice. I felt instinctively that she was right, but hoping against 
 hope, I rushed out to alarm the other servants, who had not yet 
 learned the dreadful news, and to send a mounted messenger for 
 the nearest physician. AVhen I returned, the whole household had 
 gathered around the dead man, who had been their friend in the 
 true sense of the word. They stood around him, weeping bitterly; 
 but, as is often the case on such occasions, no one had thought of
 
 148 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 taking the steps necessary in such an emergency. 80 I took the 
 management of affairs into my own hands, much as it grieved me 
 to perform so sad a duty. I had the body laid on a bed, and then 
 tried such moans of restoration as I could think of. While thus 
 employed the physician made his appearance, and, after a careful 
 examination, declared life extinct. He kindly offered to inform 
 and send such parties as we would be in need of. He was on the 
 point of leaving when the open secretary attracted his attention. 
 
 "Mr. Gran, he said excuse me for wounding your feelings; 
 but you should not allow your grief to let you forget the dictates 
 of caution and prudence. I see, Mr. Stamm s secretary is open, 
 and as it contains, undoubtedly, things of great value, and this 
 house will be visited by many strangers before long, I advise you 
 to lock it, and keep the key to yourself." 
 
 He evidently meant kindly ; so I thanked him, and acted on his 
 advice in an absent minded manner, which probably gave the doc 
 tor a poor idea of my business capacity. The truth is, all worldly 
 things were, at that moment, so utterly indifferent to me that I 
 would not have cared if the secretary had been full of precious 
 stones and exposed to the cupidity of the first passer by. I need 
 not dwell upon the details of the next few days. The preparations 
 for the funeral took the usual course, and on the third the best and 
 almost only friend I ever had was laid in his last resting place. 
 The funeral was largely attended ; but of this I took but little 
 notice. I could, however, not help noticing the almost frantic 
 grief of Bertha, who was not to be comforted, and moaned and 
 sobbed day after day as if her heart would break. Her agonizing 
 sorrow touched me deeply, but when I made a feeble attempt at 
 comforting her, she rejected my overtures with such a decided re 
 pugnance that I felt hurt, and abandoned her to her own thoughts 
 and feelings. I need not enlarge here on the steps of the au 
 thorities to secure the effects of value and ascertain whether there 
 was a last will of the deceased. Uncle Arnold conducted all these 
 legal formalities ; -but so repugnant had father s last revelations 
 made him to me that I could hardly force myself to observe 
 towards him the barest rules of politeness. The painful face of 
 his wretched wife refused to vanish from my mind, and I showed a 
 coldness towards him which he could not help noticing, but which
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 149 
 
 he took probably for grief, for he abstained from criticising my 
 conduct. Yesterday the will was read. It is rather strange, but 
 did not surprise me as much as it would have done if I had not rec- 
 collected the remarkable conversation with father the night before 
 his death. Leaving out the legal technicalities, the will reads thus: 
 
 " I hereby leave my domain of Antonsruhe to my ward Arthur 
 Gran, son of Gudio Grau, deceased, and my neice Bertha Stain m, 
 jointly, on condition that they enter into a union of marriage before 
 the expiration of two years. In case my neice, Bertha, who is to be 
 asked first, refuses, the estate shall belong to Arthur Grau my ward, 
 alone, on condion that he pay to my neice, Bertha Stamm an an 
 nuity of $200 during her single life. If, my ward, Arthur Grau, 
 should refuse to accept the hand of my niece, Bertha Stamm, in 
 marriage, the estate of Antonsruhe shall belong to neither party, 
 but be placed in trust of -Sir Herbert Grey, of No. 198 Hampton. 
 Court, London, to whom I herewith bequeath the right to dispose 
 of the estate according to his pleasure." 
 
 The will created a good deal of surprise, and both Bertha and I 
 were plied with numerous questions as to the reason of this strange 
 provision. Bertha was evidently as much in the dark as the others, 
 and I, for my part, did not deem it expedient to give the informa 
 tion in my possession. When the executor asked Bertha the 
 momentous question prescribed in the will, she colored slightly, 
 but said with a firmness which surprised me considerably : this puts 
 me in rather a delicate position ; but as my dear uncle seemed to 
 have desired it, I overcome all feelings of reserve, and declare that 
 I am satisfied with stipulations, provided that the consumation 
 of the marriage be postponed to the end of the respite granted. 
 
 There was something in the cold, business-like manner with 
 which Bertha disposed of the matter which jarred considerably upon 
 my feelings ; but what could I do under the circumstances but giye 
 my consent to the proposed union ? My refusal would have de 
 prived her of an inheritance to which the ties of blood plainly en 
 titled her. I can honestly say that the fact of my also loosing the 
 estate in case of a refusal had no weight whatever with my decision. 
 I have intimated before that the coldness of my relations to Bertha 
 was not based upon any repugnance of mine, but rather the reti 
 cence and reserve of Bertha, and when I declared yesterday my
 
 150 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 consent to a union with her there was nothing in my heart or mind 
 which would prevent me from doing my full duty by her. Some 
 times a doubt arises within me as to the propriety of marrying a 
 woman you do not love ; but two years must elapse before the mar 
 riage will take place, and in the meantime I shall try my best to 
 learn to love her. 
 
 My grief* at the bereavement I have suffered has occupied my 
 mind so completely that I almost forgot the letter which I was to 
 receive on the day of my majority. This morning, however, the 
 thought of it returned with redoubled, force. I felt that I owed it 
 to my unknown protector and friend to pay due regard to his words 
 and wishes, and it was with something like remorse that I went to 
 the secretary with the intention of fulfilling a tardy duty. My 
 heart beat a little more radidly as I inserted the key and lifted the 
 lid of the secretary. With a second and smaller key I then opened 
 a small drawer in which father used to keep his private papers and, 
 to open which a little secret spring was to be known. Slowly I 
 pulled out the drawer, and looked in expectancy, but no discovery 
 was to satisfy my curiosity, for, the drawer was empty. I started 
 back in surprise. Father had told me plainly that the letter had 
 been put in this drawer, and I had therefore no right to expect to 
 find it anywhere else ; nevertheless, I searched the entire secretary. 
 No trace of any letter to me could be discovered. Just then 
 Bertha entered the room and, without thinking particularly about 
 the likelihood of her having any knowledge of the missing docu 
 ment, I remarked : 
 
 "Bertha, I am looking for a sealed letter which father said he 
 received some time ago for me. Have you, perchance, seen any 
 thing of it?" 
 
 A striking palor overspread her face, followed by a deep blush, 
 showing plainly how sensitive and painfully conscious of her em 
 barrassing relations to me the poor girl is. Her tone was rather 
 angry as she replied : 
 
 "How should I know? Uncle never made me a participant of 
 his secrets, and after his death you have had the sole charge of the 
 keys, as far as I know." 
 
 This was strictly true; sol begged her pai don and admitted 
 that the vexation of losing the letter had obscured, for a moment,
 
 The Treasure of Montezama. 151 
 
 my judgment. AVithout saying a word in reply, she left the room. 
 
 Dear me ; our intimacy does not progress at a rapid rate, unless 
 it be crab fashion, i. e., retrograde. 
 
 The loss of this letter annoys me, though. What must my bene 
 factor think of me when he fails to receive an answer to his letter? 
 Must he not think me ungrateful in the highest degree? If 1 could 
 only obtain his address. But that wish is idle, I fear, for he seems 
 to have covered up his tracks mo*st effectually ; for good reasons I 
 presume, though this precaution is rather vexing in my case. Per 
 haps he will learn from some other source of the death of father 
 Anton, and then interpret my silence correctly. At all events, I 
 can do nothing but compose myself in patience and await further 
 developments of affairs. 
 
 JULY THE IST. 
 
 Nearly three months have passed away without bringing any 
 further information on a subject which affects me more deeply 
 every day. My patience is nearly exhausted, and I have made up 
 my mind that I shall take the initiative, if nothing turns up within 
 the next week. 
 
 Cousin Philip spent last Sunday with us, and I benefited by 
 this opportunity to learn the opinion of one so clever and well in 
 formed. I broached the subject ; cautiously, however, for I do not 
 like to be laughed at. 
 
 " Philip," I inquired, " did you ever hear the report that there 
 is an uncle of ours living in the New World ; in Mexico, they say, 
 I think?" 
 
 A queer expression came over his face, and he looked at me 
 very keenly, as if he wanted to see through me. I could not 
 understand this strange effect of so innocent a question, but 
 managed to endure his scrutiny without flinching. 
 
 He ceased staring and, breaking into a boisterous laugh, said : 
 "Where did you hear that nursery tale, Arthur?" 
 
 I answered evasively, and he continued : 
 
 " The foundation of this tale is, no doubt, the flight of Herbert 
 to the New World. It seems he purchased a worthless tract of land 
 and invited a few emigrants to try their fortunes with him. This 
 much is authentic, but the superstructure is, I fear, based on pure 
 imagination. At all events, Arthur, take my advice and do not
 
 152 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 emigrate to Mexico on the strength of such expectations. Did I 
 tell you that the Emperor has entrusted me with a mission to the 
 Mexican Government ? Tso. Well, I shall sail there in one week, 
 and if you are at all interested in this fabulous uncle, I shall take 
 pleasure in hunting up the facts for you." 
 
 This was news indeed. So he is to go to Mexico on official busi 
 ness ? I felt greatly tempted to tell him that I had almost made 
 up my mind to go there on my own business, but for some reason 
 or other abstained from doing so. Ever since father s communica 
 tions concerning Philip s father, I have felt a distrust whicli is 
 hardly fair, as I have certainly no right to hold him to account for 
 the actions of his father. I have remonstrated with myself, too, 
 for this apparent injustice, but cannot force myself to look on him 
 in the old light, or treat him with the old cordiality. I have also 
 noticed that his society is not calculated to benefit Bertha. When 
 he is at Antonsruhe, she is either boisterously gay or sullenly taci 
 turn. Does she love him ? Goodness knows that I do not ask 
 myself this question from motives of jealousy. He is welcome to 
 her, and Antonsruhe in the bargain, only I don t want him to trifle 
 with her and make her unhappy. But what am I talking about ? 
 I have not the slightest reason to base such suspicion upon, ex 
 cepting the fitful moods of Bertha at the time of his visits. Per 
 haps she loves, and her passion is unrequited, but that is not his 
 fault ; only I would like to see clearly in this matter, for I do not 
 want to marry a girl who likes somebody else better than me ; that 
 is sure. 
 
 AUGUST THE IST. 
 
 Well, I have decided to visit Mexico, and to-morrow will see me 
 off. I dislike long spells of uncertainty and hesitancy, and there 
 fore formed my resolution in a minute. Father left me, in his will, 
 the sum of one thousand dollars, or rather, he was kind enough to 
 state in a few lines that the sum then lying in his secretary was 
 my private property, and had merely been handed to him for safe 
 keeping. This money furnishes me with the necessary means for 
 traveling, even if my researches should have to extend over 
 months. I must be getting distrustful, for I have merely declared 
 my intention for travel, without stating whither. When I told 
 Bertha she showed no sign of emotion, but looked at me with a
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 153 
 
 glance so piercing that I could not help wondering and showing 
 this wonderment in my face. She quickly relapsed into her usual 
 indifference, but I could not help asking myself the question : 
 What does all this signify? 
 
 AUGUST THE TTH. 
 
 To-morrow I shall leave my dear Antonsruhe for, I do not know 
 how long. Now I feel how dear it is to me. Of course, I have 
 left it repeatedly before, but always with a knowledge of the time 
 of return. This time I am bound for another continent, on an 
 adventure which may turn out a wild goose chase. I do not know 
 when I shall return, nor whether I shall return at all, which cir 
 cumstances make me see all my home ties in a clearer light. Even 
 cold and indifferent Bertha has thus gained an attraction which she 
 never had before, and if she would only let me, I could say an 
 affectionate farewell to her without playing the dissembler. 
 
 I have secured an outfit calculated to meet all the emergencies 
 and perils likely to befall me. Prominent among my acquisitions 
 is a magnificent repeating rifle, a pair of superior revolvers, a 
 hunting knife of splendid steel and fine finish and divers other 
 weapons, too numerous to mention, as the bills of vendue say. I 
 was afraid that my recent want of practice had impaired my skill 
 as a marksman, of which I could justly boast in former days ; but 
 when I shot out the spade of an ace with a revolver six times run 
 ning, at a distance of thirty paces, and then performed the same 
 trick with my rifle at three hundred paces, I felt satisfied. Besides 
 my arms, and the amunition for them, I purchased a rubber blanket 
 and a traveling suit of the most enduring material. I have 
 traveled too often not to know that too much luggage on the road 
 spoils the fun. I take only a moderate sum of ready cash along, 
 having purchased bills of exchange on New York for the larger 
 portion of my capital. 
 
 This afternoon I made the customary good-bye-visits, and could 
 not well exclude uncle Arnold. He was very affable and evidently 
 anxious to learn the direction of my trip, but I managed to answer 
 his question so evasively that I left him about as wise as before. 
 , All my treasures are lying by my side, and I am merely wait 
 ing for the break of another day to start for Bremen, where I shall 
 take the steamer for New York. All adieus have been said, that
 
 154 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 to Marianna being by far the most trying. Peter Maurer was also 
 deeply affected, but I have taken steps to secure his future, for the 
 next two years at least, and therefore leave him with an easy mind. 
 My farewell to Bertha was made unexpectedly easy by the almost 
 frivolous indifference she showed on that occasion. I Cv>uld not 
 have been sentimental, if I had felt like it ever so much, which is 
 not the case. Indeed, I feel my pledge to marry her already as a 
 ponderous weight, and have caught myself more than once in re^ 
 flections on an honorable way of avoiding my obligation. Well, 
 two years is a long time ; who knows what may turn up to cancel 
 the engagement. 
 
 NKW YORK, December the 30th. 
 
 Here I am in the Metropolis of the New World. For the la s t 
 week I have been seeing its sights, and must confess that, on the 
 whole, I like its condition better than European cities. There is a 
 greater manliness among the working classes, and, on the whole, 
 wealth is more evenly divided. Still, after making this concession, 
 I have to modify it by confessing that I have seen enough abject 
 poverty, squallor and wretchedness even in this magnificent city of 
 the New World. There is the same worm gnawing at the vitals of 
 society, though its ravages are not yet so startling and alarming ; 
 still the danger is here as great or even greater than in Europe, for 
 the checking influences of a stern government and the intimidation 
 by millions of bayonets is wanting here. 
 
 My voyage was retarded four weeks by circumstances over 
 which I had no control. Nor was it quite free from danger, as we 
 entered a field of frozen icebergs, from which we could extricate 
 ourselves only after an exciting cruise of a whole week. I cannot 
 say that I was alarmed or afraid. Indeed, our courage depends 
 greatly, if not altogether, upon our nerves. I can therefore see no 
 great merit in the preservation of coolness under trying circum 
 stances ; but I have more than once invoked blessings upon the 
 noble man who caused my body to be developed in such a way as 
 to give a healthy tone and to give to my nerves, sinews and 
 muscles a vigor making the encountering of dangers more a source 
 of pleasure than of anguish. 
 
 CITY OF MKXICO, January the 9th. 
 
 It was with a strange mixture of feelings that I landed upon
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 155 
 
 the coast of the Aztecs. Their history has always interested me, 
 though I did not much admire their religious rites, which savor 
 after cruelty and inhumanity, but for which their priesthood un 
 doubtedly is responsible, as the entire education of the young was 
 in their hands. In every other respect, the civilization of these 
 strange people is so remarkable that we may well doubt whether 
 that of the bigoted Spaniards was an advancement. It seems that 
 the want of the horse was the only thing keeping them from enter 
 ing the ranks of the most enlightened nations. In our days this 
 circumstance has probably ceased to be a correct criterion ; but 
 until the invention of the locomotive, the absence of the horse may 
 be taken as a sure indication of the low condition of a people s 
 culture. It is, of course, not the influence of the intelligence of 
 this noble animal which gave an impetus to progress, but the facil 
 ity for travel and traffic it affords. The Aztecs substitute was the 
 llama, but that animal, though higly useful, cannot replace the 
 horse. 
 
 I have been here a week now, and made diligent search and in 
 quiry after Herbert Grau. In the mouths of the people, vague 
 rumors concerning him, are afloat ; but they w r ear so decidedly the 
 garb of myth that no reliance can be placed upon them. These 
 rumors agree, however, in making him out a remarkable man, who 
 is in league with the devil and, with his aid, achieves wonderful 
 things. Strange to say, all his deeds are good and benevolent, but 
 when you call the attention of your informants to this anamoly 
 the} only shrug their shoulders and resort to their favorite "Queen 
 sabe." The race certainly seems ignorant ; they are surely as much 
 under the influence of their spiritual advisers as their predecessors, 
 the Aztecs , which accounts for their ignorance. 
 
 The government is not much better informed on this subject 
 than the populace, although it has appeared to me more than once 
 as if they know more than they are willing to reveal. Several offi 
 cials have subjected me to a rather sharp examination, w-hich I 
 always endeavored to evade as best I could. Perhaps they were 
 determined to pay me back in my own coin, for all I can learn is 
 that in the year 1852 a large tract of land was purchased by 
 Herbert Grau from the Mexican Government, -which the records 
 of the court bound as follows :
 
 156 Tlie Treasure of Montezunitt. 
 
 Beginning twenty miles from the mouth of the Rio Frio and 
 running thence between the Pinaleno and Sierra Madre mountains, 
 embracing all the land between them and extending about one 
 hundred miles in a north-easterly direction, to the junction of the 
 mountains at the twenty-ninth degree of northern latitude, together 
 with all the minerals contained in such lands, and with the privi 
 lege of making settlements thereon, whose people shall have the 
 unrestricted right of worshiping according to their own convictions, 
 the purchase money to be five millions of dollars, the receipt of 
 which is herewith acknowledged. 
 
 This was about all. What had become of Herbert and all his 
 colonists nobody pretended to know; for that this ignorance on the 
 part of the authorities is merely assumed, I have not the slightest 
 doubt. An estate embracing probably over six hundred square 
 miles cannot be so effectually hidden as to escape public notice, 
 even if the common report, that both the mountain ranges men 
 tioned present impassable barriers just in these regions, are correct. 
 I wager, they will not prove unsurmountable to me, for I am bound 
 to make the effort to find Herbert Grau and his colony or perish 
 in the attempt. I have secured the best maps of Mexico which 
 German bookstores can furnish. After consulting them carefully, 
 I have determined to attempt the passage of the Sierra from the 
 southeast, at a point about fifty miles from the junction with the 
 Pinaleno mountains on the Rio Frio, as such a course will prevent 
 the danger of missing the valley, if a valley really exists between 
 the ridges, of which I have no doubt. I shall purchase a stout 
 mule, the favorite beast of burden of the country, and start the 
 day after to-morrow. 
 
 SAX .JUAN, January 31st. 
 
 This hamlet lies at the foot of the Sierra Mad re, and is just 
 the place from which to attempt the crossing, as it lies about seventy 
 miles from the Pacific coast, if the natives are correct in their 
 reckonings. I have met with no very striking adventures on my 
 way to this place, though one day I was tackled by two knights of 
 the highway, who received such a warm reception and so thorough 
 a thrashing as to soon loose the relish for their adventure. I now see 
 why my patron laid such stress on his demand that I should be 
 thoroughly instructed in horsemanship. For to. one thus not skilled,
 
 The Treasure of Montezuuta. 157 
 
 traveling in the interior of Mexico, is very difficult and laborious, 
 if not impossible. My knowledge of Spanish has also greatly 
 smoothed my way. The natives have treated me civily on the 
 whole, although I have occasionally met with ruffians who under 
 stand the language of the poinard and the pistol much better than 
 the tongue. On two occasions I got into an embroglio which might 
 have terminated fatally, on account of the great odds against me, 
 if the swiftness of my mule and my expertness in the art of riding 
 had not carried me safely through. One evening 1 arrived at a 
 place where they had inaugurated a little festival. A race was in 
 the programme, and I could not resist the temptation to enter the 
 lists. My mule had made only a short trip that day, so it was in 
 good condition. I must confess that my rivals were most of them 
 excellent riders, but Herr Marx s training proved to much for 
 them, as it was as much owing to the judicious handling of my 
 steed as its swiftness which enabled me to win the prize, consist 
 ing of a pair of silver spurs. Of course, I did not care for them, 
 but at once put them up as a prize for a second race, in which I re 
 mained a mere looker-on. This abstinence gained me the good 
 will of the villagers, and when I finally put up a ten dollar gold 
 piece as the prize for a third race, I became the hero and favorite 
 of the evening. How easy it is to gain public favor and how often 
 its acquisition is abused. I spent the evening very pleasantly 
 among these simple-hearted people, and on the following morning 
 took their cordial " adios" with me on my way. 
 
 To-morrow morning I shall begin the passage of the mountain. 
 If I am to believe the reports of the villagers, increditable dangers 
 are coupled with such an attempt. Indeed, they universally cross 
 themselves when they mention the subject, invoking at the same 
 time the protection of all the saints of the calendar. They assure 
 me that I will meet savage beasts at every step, and that the rocks 
 are so steep and the abysses so deep that no human foot can cross 
 them. I know the exaggerations of these Mexicans too well to 
 place much credence in their statements, but even if toned down 
 considerably, the obstacles in the way will, no doubt, tax my en 
 durance to the utmost. My purpose, however, cannot be swayed 
 by these considerations. I will find a passage to Herbert Grau s 
 possessions, if human strength and endurance can accomplish such 
 an undertaking.
 
 158 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 THK SIKRR.V MADRE, February the 1st. 
 
 I am all alone. 1 have my doubts whether any human foot 
 ever stood before where I am now standing, partaking of the 
 simple meal brought from the village. It is twilight, and soon the 
 shades of night will gather round me. I think I had better light 
 a fire big enough to last all night for, though I have seen but a few 
 of the wild beasts with which, as the natives say, these mountains 
 are infested: J have no doubt that they will become numerous 
 enough in the night, and prowl uncomfortably near the neighbor 
 hood of my camp. I know of no more effectual means of keeping 
 them oft than by fire. 
 
 For once the gossip of the people has fallen short of reality. I 
 have not yet reached the summit of the mountain, and yet I have 
 been compelled to surmount obstacles which would prove fatal to 
 anyone not gifted with the firmest nerves, the surest footing and 
 the coolest presence of mind. My supply of ink is running low, 
 and if I want to record the history of the next day, I must 
 husband it carefully ; so farewell to my journal for to-night. 
 
 SIERKA MA DUE, February the 2nd. 
 
 Another day is gone. I think it was, on the whole, the hardest 
 and most trying I have spent thus far in life. To s-.iy that the 
 hardships of the road are great is expressing it very mildly, indeed. 
 I think I do not exaggerate when I say that the great majority of 
 people would simply have pronounced them beyond human endur 
 ance. I have ascended perpendicular ledges, fully an hundred feet 
 high, whose top I could only reach by climbing gigantic trees, grow 
 ing at their base, and then swinging from their tops to the ledge, 
 the branches bending under my weight, thus subjecting myself to 
 the danger of being dashed to atoms on tbe ground below in case of 
 their breaking. To encumpass these ledges, I have walked mile 
 after mile, only to find that these wanderings brought me to other 
 ledges higher and steeper than those passed. Indeed, I have 
 learned this lesson to-day, that it is idle to try to overcome these ob 
 stacles by passing around them. The whole problem is simply re 
 duced to one of endurance. At the rate of my previous progress, 
 it will take me about two more days to accomplish the passage, 
 always provided the obstacles do not begin to surpass human 
 strength. In such a case, I say, the result is simply a matter of en-
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 159 
 
 durance. The food I brought from the village was consumed this 
 noon, and I had to make my supper on a rabbit I was fortunate 
 enough to kill. Water has been very scarce all day, but I managed 
 to gather enough to quench my thirst. The worst feature of the 
 case is the fatigue which the great exertions of the day could not 
 help producing. Shall I be able to surmount similar obstacles to 
 morrow, or will it be wiser to rest a day in the wilderness? I do 
 not know, but think it will be well to sleep over it. In fact I can 
 hardly keep my eyes open, and yet it will be necessary to gather a 
 supply of wood before indulging in the sweet harbinger of 
 strength sleep. 
 
 SIERRA MADRE, February the 3rd. 
 
 Another weary day. A considerable portion of my strength 
 is gone. Fortunately the task is nearly over, or I should be obliged 
 to give up, lie down and await my doom. This constant climbing, 
 sliding, springing and balancing, with death staring constantly in 
 one s face and liable to result from the slightest error or misstep, is 
 almost beyond human endurance, and, strong as I am and proud as 
 1 always have been of my undaunted spirit in meeting dangers and 
 hardships, I am now forced to confess that there is a limit to human 
 strength and resolution and that I would not be able to endure such 
 hardships another day. It is needless to note down the struggles of 
 to-day, as they were merely a repetition of those of the preceding 
 day, only on a larger scale. One adventure at least I must record, 
 which came near terminating my life, and whose recollection even 
 now causes my flesh to creep. It was about noon. I had finished 
 a scanty meal, consisting of a bird of the parrot family, and was 
 walking wearily along a precipice with the view of making a de 
 scent when suddenly the ground caved in under my feet and I felt 
 myself falling down into a deep hole, resembling, as far as I could 
 judge, a mining shaft, not made by man, of course, but one of 
 the freaks in which nature sometimes likes to indulge. It was not 
 exactly perpendicular, but so much so that my sensations were 
 more those of one falling than sliding. Any one who has thus de 
 scended rapidly into a pit of whose depth he was ignorant, and 
 which might be bottomless for all he knew, might imagine my sen 
 sations nobody else could. At first the hole was so wide that my 
 outstreached arms, by means of which I endeavored to check my
 
 160 The Treasure of Moniczuina. 
 
 progress, felt nothing but the vacant air ; but after falling some 
 distance the cavity narrowed, and soon became so small that the 
 horrible idea of being wedged in struck me with a force threaten 
 ing to take away my breath and deprive me of the little presence 
 of mind left me. I made some foolish attempts to stop my fall by 
 clutching at the walls of the shaft, but the impetus which my 
 body received by the continued falling and almost glassy smooth 
 ness of the walls, frustrated all such attempts. I verily believe; if 
 J had succeeded in stopping my course, I would not be in a condi 
 tion now to record my adventure, but be still suspended there in 
 mid-air, awaiting the awful death of starvation. As it was ray 
 escape was marvelous enough. Of course, it did not take me as 
 long to make the descent as it does to chronicle its history ; but to 
 my disturbed mind the seconds during which it lasted seemed an 
 eternity. Down, down 1 went, going faster every moment. Now 
 my arms became pinioned to my side; I felt my rifle, whien I bore 
 with a strap over my shoulder, press painfully against my side, until 
 the terrible friction either wore the strap through or some slight 
 projection tore it apart and thus freed me from an impediment 
 which might possibly have proved fatal. When the rifle was gone 
 my descent became faster, but the passage also narrower at the same 
 time. Indeed, so tight had my quarters now become that I expected 
 every moment to stick fast. I could no longer think clearly, but had 
 vague idea, of the awful fate in store in such a case. Now the pas 
 sage had become so narrow that I surely would have stuck, if the 
 great impetus of my fall had not propelled me downward. For a 
 moment I felt as if I would suffocate. Then suddenly there was a 
 delicious feeling of relief; I felt my body free from the confining 
 rocky bonds and shot with redoubled speed into vacant space. 
 Everything was dark around me ; but I felt nevertheless so relieved 
 that the consequences of my headlong fall did not worry me. 
 Perhaps I had no time for such a thought, for a second could 
 hardly have elapsed since my delivery from the confines of the 
 shaft when I struck some object with a force which threatened to 
 deprive me of my consciousness. Fortunately this object was soft, 
 or I might, yes, surely would, have broken some bones if not my 
 neck. As it was, the fall stunned but did not disable me ; certainly 
 a fortunate circumstance, for, had it been otherwise 1 would not
 
 The Treasure of Montezama. 161 
 
 have been able to confide all this to my trusty friend, the journal. 
 I had scarcely alighted on my soft footing, than I felt violent com 
 motion under me ; a savage snarl was heard, and I was then hurled 
 aside with a vehemence and utter lack of ceremony highly startling, 
 and only excusable in a savage beast. And such, indeed, it was. 
 The place where I had landed was not as dark us I had at first im 
 agined. An opening in the side of the rock admitted enough life 
 to create a gentle twilight. By its aid I now recognized a huge 
 puma standing only about two paces from me, snarling and lashing 
 its flanks in a manner indicative of a high state of rage. It was 
 a cause of wonder to me then, and has been ever since, that the 
 animal did not spring upon me without delay, benefiting by the 
 semi-stupification brought about by my fall. The only way that T 
 can explain it is that the puma was so surprised and somewhat 
 scared by my sudden and entirely unexpected arrival. I perceived, 
 however, that it would not take it long to recover from this fright, 
 and that it would be upon me before the expiration of many sec 
 onds, if I did not anticipate the spring. On such occasions we are 
 apt to act more from instinct than reason. I felt that no time was 
 to be lost, so reaching mechanically for my revolver, which had 
 fortunately escaped the fate of my rifle, I drew it forth and, aiming 
 at the heart of the beast, pulled the trigger. I was just in time. 
 The puma had already gathered itself for a spring, and if I had 
 delayed a moment longer, I would certainly have made the ac 
 quaintance of its claws. The shot was a good one, for the animal 
 sank down and turned over without uttering a groan. Slowly I 
 rose, feeling my body to see if any bones had been broken, and 
 was on the point of congratulating myself on this double and nar 
 row escape when I suddenly heard another savage growl at the en 
 trance of the cavern. On looking up I noticed a second puma, 
 probably the mate of the one I had just killed, and evidently de 
 termined to avenge its death. This fellow had not been startled in 
 to momentary inactivity by surprise ; that was evident, for no 
 sooner did he see me than he made his spring. I had time to draw 
 my revolver, but no time to take aim and fire. All I could do was 
 to make a sudden spring and thus avoid the onset which would cer 
 tainly have been fatal in its awful force and wildness. As it was, the 
 puma barely missed me, landing in the rear of the cave. It turned 
 
 1 1
 
 162 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 at once, growling fiercely and flashing fire frora^its ferocious eyes. 
 The place where it stood was pretty dark, preventing a very accurate 
 aim. Nor did it leave me much time for aiming. Scarcely had it 
 turned when it crouched for a second spring, forcing me to act 
 quickly. Aiming as best I could, between its shining eyes, I pulled 
 the trigger and dispatched the bullet which was to decide the 
 struggle and probably my fate. The bullet had taken effect, that 
 I could see without difficulty, but had not been fatal, for on came 
 the beast, inflicting a slight flesh wound in my left shoulder as I 
 dodged it. Before it could recover its strength and time for a third 
 onset, I fired from close proximity and stretched it dead. My 
 nerves were badly shattered by this adventure, but I was destined 
 to go through a third and equally trying one, before I reached the 
 comparatively safe place where I am now encamped. About four 
 o clock in the afternoon I reached a canon so deep and wide that 
 to cross it seemed entirely impossible. The sides were perpendicu 
 lar and at many places overhanging. Even if I had had a rope to 
 lower myself to the bottom, I would not have had the slightest 
 chance of climbing the opposite ledge, which was, if possible, even 
 steeper than the near one. Here, then, my progress seemed 
 barred, after all the desperate efforts I had made. To go back was 
 out of the question, even if I could have endured such a thought, 
 for I had not stength enough left to overcome the obstacles of the 
 road a second time, to say nothing of ascending the ominous shaft. 
 Listlessly I wandered up and down the canon, hoping against my 
 experience to rind at some other place a more favorable point for 
 crossing. In vain ; the abyss became deeper and wider as I pro 
 ceeded, and at last I lost heart and, sitting down, abandoned myself 
 for a short time to a fit of despondency. It lasted only a few min 
 utes, however. Jumping up and setting my teeth firmly together, I 
 resolved to die game, if die I must and, behold, a slim chance for 
 crossing presented itself to my view. Where I had sat down, a huge 
 pine tree was growing on the near edge of the canon, which, at 
 that place might be about seventy-five feet wide. Time and storms 
 had loosened its hold, causing it to hang obliquely over the chasm. 
 By the advice of the villagers I had provided myself with a little 
 hatchet, which now promised to serve me well in an unlocked for 
 emergency, and with which I would perhaps, be able to sever the
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 163 
 
 upper roots sufficiently to cause the top of the pine to descend to 
 to the opposite cliff. It was, as far as I could see, my only chance, 
 so, without further deliberation, I took the hatchet from the belt 
 and began to attack the roots I meant to sever. Slowly the work 
 went on. The roots were worthy of the giant to Avhich they be 
 longed but perseverence conquered here as in so many other places, 
 and, after the expiration of an hour, I had the satisfaction of see 
 ing the once proudly upright tree lowering its head and laying it on 
 the opposite side of the canon, in search of support. That was 
 all right, of course, and what I had hoped and expected ; but an 
 ominous crashing of the remaining roots warned me of the danger of 
 the tree falling into the abyss, taking with it my last hope. A 
 sickening sensation came over me ; my stomach heaved as if in 
 clined to vomit, and with bated breath I waited the expected catas- 
 trophy. It did not come ; the crashing ceased, and the remaining 
 roots promised to be strong enough to bear the heavy tree, made 
 much heavier by the large lumps of ground adhering to the roots. 
 For the present the position of the tree seemed secure and I began 
 to the remove some of the soil sticking to the roots. Slight as the 
 strain was which these efforts made on the tree they were sufficient 
 to renew the ominous cracking of the roots, and I saw that the pas 
 sage must be attempted at once, if it was to be attempted at all. 
 But would the tree bear my additional weight ? No one could tell; 
 but the hazard must be taken notwithstanding, if it fell, I would be 
 crushed to death ; if I remained on this side, I would die the 
 lingering and horrible death of starvation. Could I for a moment 
 hesitate about my course ? Certainly not, and nerving myself for 
 the awful attempt, I stepped cautiously upon the trunk. Re 
 doubled cracking, but I must pay no attention to the ominous 
 signs. I must leave the butt as soon as possible, to relieve it of my 
 weight. 80, with a determination truly desperate I walked on, ex 
 pecting every moment to hear the crash which would be my death 
 knell. Still, it delayed and I proceeded with steady but rapid 
 steps on my perilous journey. To many it would have been imposi- 
 ble, for the trunk was comparatively thin, and slippery besides ; 
 but for me the crossing in itself offered no great difficulties. I had 
 learned to stand on the bare back of a horse and preserve my bal 
 ance while the animal was galloping. The only trouble was the
 
 164 The Treasure of Montestnna. 
 
 awful depth below, which might have created dizziness in many ; 
 but no height or location had ever been able to produce such a feel 
 ing in me, and if the bridge held out I had no fears of not crossing 
 in safety. 
 
 I was now two-thirds across, and the diminished size of the 
 trunk compelled me to step with greater caution. At the same time 
 this thinness caused the tree to assume a swinging motion, which 
 the utmost caution on my part could not prevent. Once more the 
 crashing of the roots became audible and, what was worse , it 
 increased at a rate indicating that a separation of the bands hold 
 ing the tree in position must soon take place. I felt an almost ir- 
 resistable impulse to rush forward, and cannot now but wonder that 
 I succeeded in resisting it. Such a rush would probably have proved 
 fatal, for the tree could hardly have withstood the increased strain. 
 As it was I proceeded as rapidly as safety would permit. I was 
 still about five or six feet from the coveted brink, when a loud 
 crash behind me announced that the threatened catastrophy was at 
 hand. I had no time to walk the rest of the way. Before making 
 another step the tree would be at the bottom of the canon, and I, 
 of course, with it. A moment s hesitation would be fatal; so, 
 gathering all my remaining strength, I made a mighty spring and 
 landed safely on the ledge. The danger, however, was by no 
 means past. The top of the tree lying on the bank had numerous 
 branches which now made a backward sweep, impelled by the rapid 
 downward motion of the butt, F had, fortunately, sufficient 
 presence of mind left to t orsee this new peril, and therefore, made 
 a second spring aside. This movement saved me. I was still in 
 the air when the branches swept by so closely that the thin twigs 
 struck me in the face, but with sufficient force to neither injure nor 
 pull me back. AVith a shudder of relief I heard the crash with 
 which the tree struck the bottom of the canon, and then sank on 
 the ground, too much exhausted to think of anything but rest. 
 There I lay for hours, and it was only the necessity of seeking 
 shelter and food before nightfall which finally brought me to my 
 feet. Nor did I travel far. A tramp of two or three miles brought 
 me to the pleasant place where I am now encamped. A clear 
 brook runs by me. I am dispatching a pheasant which I was 
 fortunate enough to kill and, what is infinitely better, I think I
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 165 
 
 am near human habitations, for I heard a sound which can be 
 nothing else than the whistle of an engine or a locomotive. I 
 might have found out to-night, but am too tired to think of any 
 thing but sleep. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 RECONVALESCENCE. 
 
 Here the diary ended ; but Inez gazed at the letters like one in 
 a trance. Nor is this a wonder, for the reading had affected her in 
 a twofold way. The adventures of the writer were surely startling 
 enough in themselves to captivate the reader ; but the chief charm 
 in Inez s eyes was the pure and noble character beaming from every 
 word. The sorrow for Anton s death had drawn tears from her 
 eyes : every expression of sympathy for the poor and oppressed 
 had awakened an echo in her breast ; every thought and observa 
 tion created the liveliest interest in her mind. How her father 
 would glory in the result of his principles of education. How he 
 would become young once more over the enthusiasm of his ward. 
 How . 
 
 Here a sickening thought overpowered her. She had entirely 
 forgotten the perilous condition in which she found, and indeed 
 left, the writer of this journal, and now, when this remembrance 
 returned, she trembled at the possibility of again losing a treasure 
 so strangely found. For a moment she felt like awakening her 
 father, but the thought that, by doing so she would merely disturb 
 his rest without mending the matter, caused her to abandon the 
 idea as quickly as she had conceived it. No sleep came to her that 
 night, and she looked so pale and worn in the morning that her 
 father, meeting her on the porch early in the morning, noticed her 
 condition at once, and said : 
 
 " Why, Inez, what ails you ? You look as if you had not closed 
 an eye last night." 
 
 " Nor did I, father dear,"
 
 1(>6 The Treasure of MontezuDia. 
 
 " Well, what is the matter then? You are not sick, I hope? " 
 "No, papa ; but the condition of poor Arthur, you know 
 
 Herbert shook his head. " You women are queer creatures," 
 lie said musingly. "A fellow may be ever so unworthy of your 
 esteem, but let him get hurt and you open the fountains of your 
 sympathy and go even so far as to loose your sleep over the matter. 
 I must put iu a decided veto to such nonsense." 
 
 Inez smiled. " What will you wager father, in fifteen minutes 
 you "will be even more nervous and excited than I am now ? " 
 
 " Why ? Did you receive bad news from the sick room ? " 
 
 "No, but I was just on the point of begging you to order the 
 carriage and drive with me to the farm where he lies." 
 
 " But would not the street cars answer as well ? " 
 
 " No, father, for I have to tell you ever so many things not in 
 tended for strange ears." 
 
 "You excite my curiosity child; but have your way. Get 
 ready while I have the carriage brought out." 
 
 As Inez went in to do her father s bidding, Clara rushed up to 
 her and, grasping her arm with a vehemence bordering on rude 
 ness, she said : "He is dead, is he?" 
 
 " Is who?" Inez inquired, wondering at this new freak of her 
 maid, who had lately been in a great variety of moods. 
 
 " Why, Sennor Arturo," the girl said anxiously. " They meant 
 to hide it from me, but I know that something dreadful has 
 happened to him, and I want to go and nurse him. You need not 
 try to hold me back, for I am bound to go, even if you bind me 
 with chains of steel." 
 
 Here was a dilemma. Inez knew the passionate nature of the 
 girl too well to think that mere remonstrances w r ould be of any 
 avail. She reflected a moment, and then said : " Clara, the person 
 you mean is as Avell as you, so you need not be alarmed ; but if you 
 will be quiet and act like a sensible girl, 1 Avill allow you to go and 
 nurse the patient at the farm." 
 
 " But, you said just now he is not siek." 
 
 " And I repeat what I said. You must be contented with this 
 until my return." 
 
 " You are going out? " 
 
 "Yes, I shall take a ride with father."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 167 
 
 "Oh, take me along, Clara plead, folding her hands as if in 
 prayer." Inez was slightly vexed at this persistency. 
 
 " Look here, Clara," she said, " have I ever lied to you? " 
 
 The Madonna forbid." 
 
 "Then, why can you not trust me ? He on whom you have 
 set your foolish heart is well. There is a gentleman at Summers 
 farm who got badly hurt in fighting a grizzly bear, and if you will 
 behave you shall go there this morning and nurse him. Here is 
 father with the carriage, so good-bye." 
 
 Inez entered the carriage, where her father was already seated. 
 
 " Oh, papa," she cried fervently; "I trust lie will live, else 
 you or I will never spend another happy moment." 
 
 "Listen, father," she continued, seeing that he was on the 
 point of replying and reprimanding her for what he had good 
 reasons to consider undue exaggeration. " Did it never strike you 
 that this Arthur Grau might possibly be an impostor ? " 
 
 Herbert started, and for a moment looked anxiously at his 
 daughter, wondering whether he could discover any signs of mental 
 aberration ; but seeing her quite rational, he said with a slight 
 tone of vexation : "Impostor? What put that strange notion into 
 your head ? " 
 
 "I have my reasons, papa ; but you have not answered my 
 question." 
 
 "See here, Inez," he replied instead, "I do not like playing 
 possum, so if you have made any discoveries, I should like to know 
 them without evasion or reservation." 
 
 " Oh, papa, I meant nothing of the kind ; but what I have dis 
 covered is so joyous, so glorious and yet so sad that I wanted to 
 break the news gently to you. 
 
 " You meant well, child," he said with a smile ; " but putting 
 a person on the rack is rather a queer way of breaking the news 
 gently." 
 
 Inez saw her mistake, and began without delay to put her 
 father in possession of all the facts which the reader has learned 
 from the journal. She told him that she had not intended to be in 
 discrete, but the presence of English Avriting and of a Spanish far 
 superior to Arthur Grau s had made her doubtful as to the pro* 
 prietorship of the book, and justified, in her opinion, a closer ex-
 
 168 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 animation. Tlie contents had so captivated her that .she could not 
 tear herself away from the perusal until she was through, and she 
 now thanked the stars for her persistency. As she proceeded with 
 her strange story, the expressson of Herbert s face changed with 
 her communications. Now he looked simply astounded ; then in 
 dignation at some meanness prevails ; but both astonishment and 
 indignation vanished as the narrative went on, and the noble char 
 acter of the writer became more manifest with every word. When 
 she had finished, a heavy sigh of anxiety as well as relief wrung 
 itself from his oppressed bosom and, folding his hands, he said 
 solemnly : 
 
 " Oh ! Ye manes of my departed friend ! How deeply I have 
 sinned against him ! How low have I rated the judgment of 
 Anton Stamm. If thy spirit still exists, hear the humble confes 
 sion of thy erring friend ! " 
 
 The arrival of the carriage at the farm prevented him from 
 continuing. How different were his feelings from those with which 
 he had departed from the place the evening before. It would, in 
 deed, be difficult for him to analyze them. Of course, he was very 
 anxious about the dangerous condition of the patient, but never 
 theless he felt as if a great load had been taken from his mind. 
 With cautious steps he and Inez entered the sick-room, which was 
 darkened to improve the chances of the sufferer s recovery. 
 Beckoning the nurse to his side, Herbert inquired : 
 
 " How has the patient passed the night ? " 
 
 "Well enough, I reckon," was the response. " May be you 
 gave him something to produce sleep, for he has stirred only now 
 and then, and gone to sleep again after I gave him a drink of 
 water. 
 
 Herbert then stepped to the bed-side, gazed earnestly at the 
 patient, who was still asleep, felt his pulse, and then said to Inez, 
 who was waiting for his decision with suspended breath and a beat 
 ing heart : 
 
 " This is truly wonderful. Hardly a symptom of fever. Of 
 course, the great loss of blood will chain him to his bed a week or 
 two, but there is no doubt at all of his speedy recovery." 
 
 If ever Inez had been inclined to shout with joy, it was at that 
 moment. But the patient was altogether to weak for such noisy
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 1H9 
 
 demonstrations, to say nothing of the decorum which her maidenly 
 dignity imposed upon her ; so she contented herself with shedding 
 a few tears of joy, and embracing and kissing her father fervent 
 ly, who no longer wondered at such manifestations, but returned 
 her caresses with an ardor showing how deeply the danger of los 
 ing his newly found ward had affected him. 
 
 " It is his strong constitution and his sobriety which will save 
 him. I may tell you that the other would not have recovered." 
 
 Inez shuddered a little, then said: "Father, as there is no 
 danger now, would you allow Clara to assist me in nursing him ? 
 I would do it all alone, if I could be spared at the Villa. I cannot 
 think of leaving him in the care of this rough man," she whispered 
 in his ear. 
 
 "Well, have your way, "he replied, too happy for saying "no" 
 to anything just then. "If he continues mending at this rate, 
 we can remove him to the Villa before long without any danger." 
 
 A\ r ith this he departed, giving Inez, who was to stay until the 
 arrival of Clara, the few simple instructions necessary. Inez took 
 her place at the bed-side, relieving the nurse, who retired to get 
 some sleep. She did not take her eyes from the pale but still 
 beautiful features of the patient, and a subtle delicious sensation, 
 such as she never experienced before, stole over her. The reader 
 understands it was love which thus, for the first time stole into her 
 virgin soul. Does he wonder ? He surely has no right to, for if 
 ever love at first sight was possible and justified, it was then and 
 there. This youth was no stranger to her. She had known of him 
 for years. She had shared her father s fond anticipations of his 
 virtues and excellencies, as well as her father s disappointment at 
 the apparent frustration of his hopes. Now, the discovery of the 
 fraud practiced upon them came with the overwhelming force of 
 an avalanche, sweeping our feelings away to make room for this 
 new and rapturous sensation. To complete the matter, she had had 
 a chance of reading his soul, and there discovered beauties as great 
 as those of his body. And should she not have fallen in love with 
 him who lay there, so weak and -dependent upon her tender care 
 for every little service. Reader, if you still insist upon the im 
 probability of such an occurrence, you simply show that you do 
 not understand human nature, particularly that of the tender sex.
 
 170 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 The patient did not once open his eye?. It seemed as if he was 
 bent upon sleeping himself back into health and strength. Clara 
 arrived an hour after Herbert s departure. As she approached the 
 bed-side, she started back and uttered a light scream, which caused 
 the sleeper to turn uneasily. Never before had Inez been so near 
 becoming real angry. With a look before which the other quailed, 
 she said : 
 
 " One more such a silly outbreak and you leave the room, never 
 to return." 
 
 "Pardon me, Sennora," the girl said humbly enough. 
 " You told me it was not Arturo, and now to see him there 
 after all, lying so still, as if he were dead was more than I 
 could endure, and I had to scream in anguish. But why did you 
 deceive me as to his identity ? It was cruel to subject me to this 
 sudden shock." 
 
 " What I told you is literally true. This gentleman is not the 
 Arthur Grau you know, but his cousin, who goes by the same 
 name. It is true, but he is entirely a different person and has only 
 arrived here yesterday." 
 
 " He looks very much like my Arturo," the girl persisted. 
 
 " Supposing he does, that is no reason why you should annoy 
 him with your nonsense. He may awake shortly and unless you 
 promise to act like a discrete and sensible girl you shall not stay 
 here." 
 
 Clara saw that her mistress was in earnest, and as she longed 
 with all her soul to nurse the patient, who looked so much like her 
 Arturo, and whom, in her innermost soul, she still believed to be 
 this Arturo, she gave the solemn promise to be quiet and not re 
 tard the patient s convalescence by any folly on her part. With 
 this Ine/ departed, saying she would return some time in the after 
 noon. 
 
 Clara took her seat and watched the sleeper with the same in 
 tensity but much greater passion than her mistress. She had been 
 thus engaged for nearly half afld hour, when a deep sigh of the 
 sleeper indicated his speedy approach to consciousness. It was, 
 indeed, only a minute later that he opened his eyes and looked 
 with the expression of one who does not exactly know where he is.
 
 The Treasure of Montezama. 171 
 
 At last his gaze turned upon the girl at the bed-side, and remained 
 fixed there. She blushed under it and inquired : 
 
 " How do you feel, Arturo? " 
 
 "Pretty well," he replied in Spanish ; "only I am very weak 
 and hungry. But where am I, and who are you, who seems to 
 know my name ? " 
 
 Clara did not reply at once. This voice was strange to her ; 
 nor did the patient seem to know her, a circumstance she could not 
 comprehend, as she still refused to distrust the evidence of her 
 eyes, which told her plainly and definitely that the person in the 
 bed was the Arturo she had known for months. What could it 
 mean ? Was the devil in the play ? She believed in his satanic 
 majesty as devoutly as in the benevolent deity which she had been 
 taught to worship. It must surely be the devil Avho had brought 
 this about to discomfit and deprive her of her Arturo. Sinking 
 upon her knees and taking his hand in both of hers, she said gently 
 and affectionately : 
 
 "Arturo, don t you know your Clara, who thinks so much of 
 you and is so glad to see you getting well ? 
 
 The patient s face wore a puzzled look, as he replied : 
 
 "Indeed, my girl, I haven t the slightest idea who you are, 
 nor where I am, and if you will be kind enough to enlighten me 
 on this subject I shall be much obliged to you. But say : couldn t 
 you let me have something to eat ? I am really as hungry as a 
 wolf ? " 
 
 Fortunately Herbert had foreseen such a contingency, and 
 ordered some beef-broth to be prepared, which Clara now handed 
 him, and which the patient drank with the greatest relish. 
 
 " Is this all ? " lie asked dolefully, when he had emptied the 
 bowl. 
 
 " There is some more, but the doctor said we must not give you 
 too much at once." 
 
 " The doctor? Am I sick ? Ouch, my arm hurts. Oh ! now 
 I do remember, I had a tussle with the grizzly, who nearly finished 
 me. But how did I get into this bed, and who is it that takes such 
 kind cave of me ? 
 
 Clara sadly shook her head. " The bear must have hurt you 
 worse than you think or the evil one must have obscured your
 
 172 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 memory, else you surely would not have forgotten me with whom 
 you have conversed more than a hundred times." 
 
 " I don t think the old harry had anything to do with it ;" the 
 patient said with a twinkle of humor in his eye ; "but it is cer 
 tainly strange that jou should stick to that opinion so tenaciously." 
 
 "What is my second name, if you please?" 
 
 " Arturo Grayo?" 
 
 " The puzzled look on the patient s face deepened." 
 
 " That is the name Spanin ed, 1 reckon," he said. " Do you 
 know anything else about me? " 
 
 " You are the nephew of Father Herbert Grayo, and came here 
 last Fall to stay with him." 
 
 "Well, I give it up. If this is madness it has at least the 
 merit of consistency. But I feel too drowsy now to study it out." 
 
 His eyes closed and soon his regular breathing indicated that lie 
 was once more in the arms of slumber. An hour later Herbert 
 made his appearance and inquired whether the patient had been 
 awake during his absence. Clara told him what had occurred ; 
 also that he had said he was very hungry and had only drank a 
 bowl full of broth, but asked for more. Herbert nodded his head 
 approvingly, and then left, saying he was very busy and could not 
 call again before the evening. Clara took her dinner at the farm. 
 At one o clock Inez returned, telling her that she was needed at 
 the Villa, but might watch during the night. The girl was evi 
 dently dissatisfied with this arrangement, but did not venture any 
 remonstrance, since the voice of her mistress was more than com 
 monly decisive in its accents. W r heu asked about the patient, she 
 confessed that he had been awake and denied all previous knowl 
 edge of Friedensthal. From this Inez concluded that the girl still 
 clung to her previous belief of the patient s identity with the other 
 Arthur, but she made no attempt to convince her of her mistake, 
 judging that her own experience would soon accomplish that. She 
 might have feared that the girl s words and her passionate manner 
 might injure the patient, if her father had not assured her that the 
 young man was entirely out of danger, and recovering much faster 
 than he had dared to hope. AVhen Clara had gone, Inez took her 
 former place and resumed the pleasant occupation of building
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 173 
 
 castles in the air and gazing upon the tranquil features of the 
 sleeper. 
 
 About four o clock he became restless in his slumber, and, a 
 moment later, opened his eyes. Once more they wandered over 
 the room and then turned to the place where the owner recollected 
 to have seen a pleasant vision. Inez waited their arrival with 
 bated breath. What would the moment bring ? Would his first 
 impression of her be genial, or would he miss and long for his 
 nurse of the morning ? Now his glance rests on her. A smile 
 passes over his features, but gives way to surprise on seeing a 
 strange face. Had he merely dreamed, and was this really his first 
 return to consciousness? He must find out. 
 
 " Who are you? " he inquired. " Did I not awake this morn 
 ing, and now find another nurse at my bed-side ?" 
 
 " You did, Arthur ; but she was called away and I have taken 
 her place." 
 
 There again ; this girl, too, knows his name and will, of course, 
 insist upon his having been here for months. 
 
 " You know my name ? " he said with a heavy sigh. 
 
 "Yes I do," she said with a smile ; " but I have no desire to 
 mystify you. I found your diary at the place where you had 
 struggled with the bear, and from it learned your history. Don t 
 judge hastily," she continued, seeing a look of wonder and a slight 
 frown on his face. I had weighty reasons for reading your notes, 
 which will fully exonerate me in your eyes when you learn them. 
 But have you no idea where you are ? " 
 
 "None whatever, unless I had indeed the good fortune of 
 stumbling upon the place I was in search of." 
 
 " You had, Arthur, for you are in Friedensthal, and in care of 
 your friends." 
 
 A gleam of joy flitted across his features. 
 
 " Then I am richly repaid for all my hardships," he said ; "but 
 who are you who so kindly charges herself with the care of an in 
 valid stranger ? " 
 
 " I am Inez Grau, Herbert s daughter ; " she replied, a vivid 
 blush suffusing her lovely features, and lighting them up to a re 
 doubled beauty. Another ray of joy passed over Arthur s face,
 
 174 The Treasure of Montezintia. 
 
 which showed too plainly his ardent admiration for the vision be 
 fore him to be mistaken. 
 
 "My cousin, then," he said, holding out his hand, "a cousin, 
 too, of whom I had no knowledge whatever; will you give me a 
 welcome in your father s house?" 
 
 "Will I!" she replied, smiling through tears, which would 
 persist in coursing down over her cheeks. " Believe me, Arthur, 
 when I say that the day of your arrival was a festive day in our 
 house, only marred by the perilous condition in which I found 
 you." 
 
 "You found. me!" he exclaimed, still holding her hand, al 
 though there was really no necessity for such a demonstration. 
 
 "jThen I surely owe you my life." 
 
 "Oh, no ; you owe that merely to your constitution, which, as 
 papa says, is tougher than that of a grizzly. " 
 
 He laughed, but said insistingly : "that may all be ; but the 
 strongest constitution will give out, if left to itself in predicaments 
 such as Mr. Bruin had put mo. But is this your home, and will 
 I soon have the pleasure of seeing your father, to whom I owe 
 more than life ?" 
 
 tShe smiled a happy smile at the recognition of her father s 
 merit. 
 
 "No, this is not our home, but a farm house near the place 
 where you had the struggle with the bear. My father was here 
 twice this morning, and will call again in the evening. His duties 
 are so manifold and pressing that he can call but little of his time 
 his own." 
 
 "I can understand that easily; but how do you explain the 
 persistency with which my nurse insisted upon having seen me be 
 fore ? Has she, too, had access to my journal?" 
 
 " How can you ask ? " she said reproachfully. " To explain 
 this freak to you, I must disclose to you a record of depravity 
 painful to imagine, but more painful to behold." 
 
 " Prepare for the distressing necessity of abandoning faith in 
 those you have respected hitherto. I hope what you will hear will 
 not destroy your faith in humanity altogether." 
 
 He did not reply, looking merely wonderingly into her excited 
 countenance. She now told him as concisely as possible the fraud
 
 The Treasure of Montemma. 175 
 
 practised upon them by the pseudo Arthur, whose wonderful like 
 ness to the true one alone had prevented an earlier discovery." 
 
 " Indeed," she said, "the conception of such a scheme is so much 
 below my father s nobility that he is entirely incapable of conceiv 
 ing it." 
 
 " But how did Arthur get the letters? " the young man asked 
 himself musingly. 
 
 " I think you are in the same boat Avith papa," she said with a 
 smile; " I think I see through the whole thing as plainly as if 
 there were a hole in it." 
 
 "Well, in that case, favor me with an explanation, fair 
 cousin." 
 
 "Very well. To begin with, Philip Grau secured the affec 
 tions of Bertha Stamra." 
 
 " You think so ? " 
 
 " I know it. In the second place, he got her to steal the 
 letters. 
 
 " Cousin but wait, you have not given me your name ? " 
 
 " They call me Inez, Cousin Arthur." 
 
 "What a beautiful name. It strikes me they might have 
 hunted the whole dictionary over without rinding a sweeter and 
 more appropriate one. But I was going to say Inez, are you not a 
 little too hard on poor Bertha ?" 
 
 "Hardly. For else, how should Philip have got possession of 
 the letter ? " 
 
 "But it was Arthur who had it, not Philip." 
 
 " He, too, must have had it, else how would he have found the 
 secret of the settlement ; and what is more, the way to it." 
 
 "The way to it, Inez?" the young man asked quite bewildered. 
 " You do not mean to say that Philip Gran - 
 
 " Is here ? " she interrupted him. "That is the very thing I 
 was going to say." 
 
 "But you set my brain in a whirl ; who of the two brothers 
 presented the letter ? " 
 
 "Arthur, to be sure ; but Philip got in on the knowledge of its 
 contents, pretending that you had confided the secret to him un 
 solicited in a drunken brawl."
 
 176 The Treasure of Montezinna. 
 
 "The scoundrel! Then they played the rascally game 
 together ? " 
 
 " No, at least I think not. I remember that about the time of 
 their arrival there was a story concerning a robbery practiced upon 
 a high German official. This official, I warrant, was Philip, and 
 the robber, hi* brother, who, finding the letter, took it into his 
 head to play your role." 
 
 " But that would stamp him as a common highway robber? " 
 
 " He is nothing better Arthur. You cannot conceive the grief 
 which his low principles and dissolute haHts have inflicted upon my 
 poor father. The sons seem to take after their father. You know 
 from the diary how he wronged your father." 
 
 ; Yes, but from that alone, for he never told me. I can now 
 understand why he called the street on which we live Laura 
 street " 
 
 Poor father Herbert ! " 
 
 " Yes, he will be a father to you, Arthur; and a noble father 
 you will have. You have no idea of the grandeur of his plans, 
 and may well consider yourself fortunate to be allowed to partici 
 pate in them. They extend to all parts of the world." 
 
 " Stop, a moment, Ine/ ; has he not started settlements in Ger 
 many, Austria, Spain and England? " 
 
 " Indeed he has, and they are all flourishing as well as the 
 jealousy of the authorities will permit." 
 
 Then I have crossed your father s tracks before on more than 
 one occasion. In England it was Sir Grey; in Spain, Sennor 
 Grayo ; now I see these names are mere translations of the 
 German " Grau." I wonder why Father Anton would never let 
 me know." 
 
 " It was by papa s express induction. He did not want you to 
 grow up with any other expectations than those based upon your 
 own exertions." 
 
 " And wisely has he acted in this as in all other measures re 
 gulating my education. But can you tell me why he thus covers 
 up his tracks so carefully ? " 
 
 " Yes, Arthur. His philanthropic plans are an eye-sore to all 
 enemies to human liberty, and if he did not work under cover, as
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 177 
 
 he does, they would soon put an end to his projects by putting an 
 end to him." 
 
 " But this is a burning shame. "Why do not the masses rise in 
 support of their friend and benefactor?" 
 
 " Many are too ignorant of their true interests, others are afraid. 
 To instruct the former, he has started and upholds in many parts 
 of the world newspapers, advocating his principles. For the same 
 purpose he has established colonies in various countries, thinking, 
 as he says, that seeing is the best mode of convincing." 
 
 And, Friedensthal ? 
 
 "Is the place where lie can best put his views into operation 
 without fear of serious opposition. You have had a taste of the 
 difficulties in the way to an invasion of our settlement." 
 
 "Very decided;" Arthur said laughing; "but is the access 
 equally difficult at all other points? " 
 
 "It is. To my knowledge, you are the first person that ever 
 achieved a passage over our mountain walls." 
 
 " So that I have certainly the right of being proud of my 
 achievement." 
 
 " Indeed you have, though you have, in a measure, shaken our 
 faith in the impregnability of our natural fortress." 
 
 " AVell, I have an idea that you have to fear nothing short of 
 a regular army." 
 
 " Which is not likely to take the trouble. The Mexican army 
 we may safely laugh at, and as to the European moguls, they have 
 fortunately too much to do at home to trouble themselves about 
 us." 
 
 "And is Friedensthal large? " 
 
 " We number about 100,000 souls ; but," she continued, laugh 
 ingly, on seeing his wonderment ; "I am not going to spoil the 
 pleasant surprise in store for you by letting the cat prematurely out 
 of the bag ; so, please, Sennor Arturo, abstain from all further 
 questions. It is, moreover, nearly six o clock, and therefore, time 
 for Papa to be here. Ah, I thought so; there he is just alighting 
 from. the street-car." 
 
 Arthur was rather nervous to meet a man who had done so 
 much for him, and who, in his opinion, ranked far above all those 
 figure-heads whom blind chance has placed in high positions and 
 
 12
 
 178 The Treasure of Monteziima. 
 
 most of whom would be mere ciphers if born in humble circum 
 stances. It was with a reverence approaching awe that he looked 
 upon Herbert Grau, and the idea that he was to sustain to him the 
 relation of a son was too strange to be appreciated by him at once. 
 But when Herbert came in, took him warmly by the hand and, 
 after imprinting a fatherly kiss of welcome upon his forehead, be 
 gan to talk in his amiable way, Arthur lost all restraint and soon 
 entered with spirit into the conversation. 
 
 " When you are stronger," Herbert said, in the course of his re 
 marks, "you must tell us all about your encounter with the grizzly. 
 This is the second one I have known of in this valley. They are 
 not indigenous here, of that I am sure ; I. think there must be 
 some secret passage of which we have no knowledge. .But let 
 me feel your pulse, my lad ; there, I thought so, for you look 
 flushed. The fever has set in. I fear we have brought it on with 
 our gossip, or at least come to its assistance, cranks that we are. 
 Not another word now. I shall leave you some sedative powders 
 and then, with this talkative daughter of mine, take my leave not 
 to return before the morning. Xor will I allow Clara to watch 
 here to-night, as she would give but a slim chance to sleep. Oh, you 
 need not looked scared, child ; he is not going to die ; but if I gave 
 your mobile tongues a chance they might finally bring about such 
 a result. So, say good night, and then away with you." 
 
 On reaching the Villa, Herbert told Clara that she was not to 
 watch at the sick-bed that night, and, to Inez s surprise, she received 
 this injunction with apparent resignation. If she had been present 
 at an interview which Philip had had with the girl that afternoon, 
 she would not have been siirprised at the change in the girl s dis 
 position towards the newcomer. Benefiting by the absence of both 
 Herbert and Inez, Philip had called the girl aside and said : "Clara, 
 I am going to tell you something which will prove to you how much 
 confidence I place in your intelligence and discretion. You must 
 not tell a word to anybody, do you hear?" 
 " Is it- about Arturo ? " 
 
 " Yes, child, about him ; but you have not promised yet." 
 " I will not speak, even if they try ever so hard to make me." 
 " That is right ; I knew you to be a plucky girl. Well, Arthur
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 179 
 
 had a fallout with his uncle and has thought it best to hide for a 
 while." 
 
 Clara shook her head, saying emphatically ; " Arturo is sick in 
 bed at Sommers farm." 
 
 " No, Clara, not he, but a cousin of his, who looks very much 
 like him." 
 
 " I have seen him with my own eyes," she persisted. 
 
 "So have I, you goosey," he retorted, vexed at her contradic 
 tion. " Don t you think I know my own brother ? " 
 
 " Your brother ! " she exclaimed in surprise. 
 
 " Yes, my brother. If I take you into my confidence I may as 
 well make a clean breast of it." 
 
 "But, where is Arturo? I have not seen a trace of him for 
 two days." 
 
 " How could you when he has hidden? Didn t I tell you he 
 had a difficulty with his relatives and thought it best to disappear 
 for a while ? " 
 
 "Where is he? I will not believe you, unless you show him 
 to me." 
 
 " Quite complimentary," he said, shrugging his shoulders. For 
 tunately I can comply with your demand. Do you know the old 
 gold mine in the mountain ? " 
 
 "I do, Sennor." 
 
 " Well, your sweetheart is there." 
 
 " I shall go to-morrow morning and see," she replied laconically. 
 
 " That suits me to a T," he said ; " but you must be cautious 
 and not excite the suspicion of these indian bloodhounds who, I 
 verily believe have been on my track for quite a while. And see 
 here ; Arthur needs some clean linen and articles of toilet; would 
 you charge yourself with taking them to him ? " 
 
 " Get them ready at once and I will take them to him." 
 "That s a good girl ; but you do not intend to leave this even- 
 ing? " _ 
 
 " Si, Sennor, though I shall not go all the way this evening, but 
 sleep at Carlos farm." 
 
 "Well, do as you see proper; I shall make up the bundle 
 without delay, so that you may not be retarded on that account." 
 
 This, then, was the reason Clara did not care to watch at the
 
 180 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 sick bed that night. It explains also, why she said to her mistress 
 shortly afterwards : " Sister Marguerite wants me at the farm ; can 
 I go and stay until to-morrow evening?" 
 
 Inez looked a little surprised at this request, but, as she had no 
 reason to doubt the girl s veracity, she said indifferently : " Yes, 
 you may go, but there will be a good deal of work at the Villa be 
 fore long; try, therefore, to be back as soon as you can." 
 
 After supper Philip managed to slip a small bundle into her 
 hands, which she hid under her mantilla, leaving the premises about 
 dusk. She returned about the same time the next evening, much 
 more cheerful than when she departed. On passing Philip, she 
 slipped a note into his hand which ran as follows : 
 " Brother Philip : 
 
 Your message came handy, for this retreat of mine is exceed 
 ingly dull, and any little pastime welcome. If only sfnother per 
 son whom I need not name, was half as fond of me as this little 
 girl. I feel almost sorry that I cannot return her love as she de 
 serves. You need not urge me to depart, for the life I lead here is 
 tedious enough to make any change welcome. Let me know when 
 you are ready, and I shall follow your injunctions without fail. 
 
 Yours etc., 
 
 ARTHUR GRAU." 
 
 Philip nodded contentedly. "Of him at least I shall soon be 
 rid," he muttered ; " but the arrival of this goody-goody is a serious 
 impediment in my way. What am I to say to him ? How am I to 
 explain the fibs I told about the letters? I must trust to the in 
 spiration of the moment. As to the mistake of taking my brother 
 for my cousin, the marvelous resemblance of the two makes such a 
 mistake quite excusable. Of course, I cannot sail under this false 
 flag very long, but for a while it must do. I suppose they do sus 
 pect me even now, but what is the difference, if they will only tol 
 erate me long enough to carry out my scheme. There is that red 
 rascal, sneaking about again. How I hate the fellow, and how I 
 would like to give him a taste of my revolver ! AVell, who knows, 
 the day may come when I shall have a chance to get even with 
 him." 
 
 But it is time to return to our patient, who passed a feverish 
 Txight, as Herbert had foretold he would. The flesh wounds of his
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 181 
 
 arm were no trifle, and strong though as his constitution was, he 
 could not hope to escape altogether the laws to which human nature 
 is subject. In the morning, however, he was much better, and 
 when Herbert and his daughter arrived, was able to respond 
 cheerfully to their questions. Herbert, however, would allow only 
 those absolutely necessary, and when Inez declared her intention to 
 stay and nurse her cousin, lie granted his permission only on her 
 solemn pledge that she would totally abstain from drawing him into 
 conversation, or even answering his questions. This she did in good 
 faith, for she was too sensible to jeopardize his safety to a transitory 
 Pleasure. She nestled in her cosy chair, close to his side, and once 
 more indulged in the study of the features so noble and fair. Nor 
 did she try to avoid his glances, which turned to her quite as often 
 as hers to him. At such times a slight flush would rise to her tem 
 ples, heightening her beauty and causing the young man to ask 
 himself whether he had ever before seen such charms combined. 
 How utterly insignificant Bertha now appeared to him. How he won 
 dered that he could ever have endured the thought of a union with 
 her. How irksome the recollection of such an obligation did sud 
 denly become, and how determined he was to try every honorable 
 means of freeing himself from fetters which had all at once become 
 unbearable. 
 
 The unpointed strength and vigorous constitution of our hero 
 combatted the fever much more effectually than Herbert s drugs, 
 although we are by no means inclined to undervalue them. The 
 fourth day after Arthur s installment at the farm house, the doc 
 tor declared that his removal to the Villa could now be carried out 
 without any danger. At this announcement Inez s eyes sparkled 
 with undisguised delight. Much as she had enjoyed his company at 
 the farm-house, there was the constant resti aint rendered necessary 
 by the presence of strangers, and when the young man was carried 
 into the room of the Villa previously prepared for him, she felt that 
 only at that moment he had truly been given to them. 
 
 Philip had gladly profited by the doctor s interdiction of all 
 visits. The moment when he could no longer avoid facing his 
 cousin would come soon enough without anticipating it. But it had 
 now arrived, and Philip felt that he could not avoid seeing Arthur 
 without subjecting himself to the very suspicion he was anxious to 

 
 182 The Treasure of Monteziuiia. 
 
 escape. So, nerving himself for the meeting, he knocked at the 
 door, and upon a ready "come in," entered the apartment. The 
 patient was still in bed, but had his head propped up with a cushion. 
 He was still very pale, but the judicious treatment of Herbert and 
 his lovely if not able assistant, and more yet," the delicious con 
 sciousness of being with true friends, had put Arthur far on the 
 road to convalescence. Inez was sitting near the window, holding; 
 a magazine from which she had probably read to the invalid. A 
 pang of jealousy shot through Philip s breast ; for, though he was 
 not able to love anybody but himself, he was fully capable of feel 
 ing that envy which low natures experience at the good fortune of 
 others. When Arthur saw and recognized the person entering, a 
 faint flush overspread his face ; but before he had time to analyze 
 his feelings, Philip rushed up to him, seized both hands, and press 
 ing them fervently, said: "Arthur, dear Cousin Arthur, how 
 glad I am to see you !" 
 
 " I am glad to hear you say so ; I suppose you had not expected 
 to see me arrive here so soon after you ? " 
 
 "On the contrary, you forget that I was, until recently, under 
 the impression of having met you daily for several months past. Is 
 it a wonder that so strange a resemblance should deceive even a 
 brother ? 
 
 "Perhaps not, but you in turn, forget tiiat you started before 
 me, and had no right to expect me at all." 
 
 " True, but actions speak stronger than words, and when I met 
 a person pretending to be Arthur (Iran, I had no reason to disbe 
 lieve my senses." 
 
 " Well, let that rest. You seem to have changed your opinion 
 concerning the fabulous Mexican uncle to hunt him up so soon. By 
 the by, how did you obtain the information, the absence of which 
 came near ending my life ?" 
 
 Philip sat as if on nettles. There was a touch of irony in his 
 cousin s voice so unlike his former mode of speaking that he felt 
 greatly disturbed by it. At the same time he knew that Inez s eyes 
 were upon him, although he could not look into her face from the 
 place he occupied. He felt very uncomfortable, and was more em 
 barrassed than he perhaps had ever been before. Inwardly he 
 cursed both Arthur and Inez, and vowed that he would pay back
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 183 
 
 with interest the mental torture they made him endure, forgetting, 
 like most persons of his caliber do that their ability of torturing 
 him depended largely on his own consciousness of guilt. He was, 
 however, too consummate a master in the art of dissimulation not to 
 search and find before long a plausible evasion from the entangle 
 ment in which his duplicity had placed him. 
 
 "I dislike to abuse the confidence of my informant, but think 
 you are entitled to know the truth. I owe the secret to a member 
 of the German Embassy in Mexico, to whom your intemperate sub 
 stitute confided it over his cups." 
 
 " But how in the world did your brother get hold of the letter in 
 question ? 
 
 " That is as much a mystery to me as to you. About the time 
 of Uncle Stamm s death a considerable sum of money was stolen 
 from father s secretary, the circumstances of the theft showing per 
 fect familiarity with the premises. We never obtained a clue to the 
 thief ; but when I put it and the appearance of the letter in Mexico 
 together, I am inclined to believe that my wayward brother must 
 have paid a visit to Germany at that time." 
 
 A plausible story, certainly, but it failed to find credence with 
 the two listeners, and although they Avere too well-bred to betray 
 their incredulity in words, their demeanor served him as an index 
 to their thoughts, and showed the intriguer that he was found out. 
 The ground seemed literally to burn under Philip s feet, and he felt 
 like springing up and rushing from the room. But our Macchiav- 
 elly was too well schooled to become guilty of such a blunder. Pre 
 serving the greatest outward composure and a mind unruffled by 
 acrimony, he said, rising to his feet : 
 
 "Uncle Herbert tells me that you must not be disturbed by 
 long visits for a number of days to come, and I shall therefore leave 
 you. I found it impossible to resist the desire of shaking hands 
 and congratulating you upon your narrow escape and safe arrival. 
 When you are stronger we must resume those delightful tete-a-tetes, 
 in which we used to discuss every subject between heaven and earth, 
 trying to solve the most difficult problems of philosophy. Until 
 then, fare thee well. Aurevoir, fair cousin." 
 
 With these words he bowed himself from the room, but no 
 
 sooner had the door closed behind him than he indemnified himself 
 

 
 184 The Treasure of Montezutna. 
 
 for this restraint, allowing his face to assume an aspect so truly dia 
 bolical that the pair in the room, had they seen him, might well 
 have trembled at the sight. As it was, they merely looked at one 
 another, exchanging glances of intelligence. 
 
 "I know now that my conjectures were correct," Inex said; 
 " he stole the letter himself, or, what is more likely, had it stolen 
 by somebody else." 
 
 Before Arthur could reply, Herbert stepped into the room, and 
 after a brief examination of the patient, sat down. 
 
 " If yon continue mending at this rate," he said, " I shall give 
 you leave to rise and go down stairs a little while to-morrow. But 
 what are we to do with this reprobate relative of ours ? I must 
 confess that his case both annoys and puzxlos me." 
 
 " I wonder where he is ? " said Inex. 
 
 " May not shame and fear of exposure have induced him to 
 leave the valley ?" Arthur suggested. 
 
 "My dear boy, shame is an element which the most searching 
 analysis would fail to discover in that fellow s composition. More 
 over, he could not leave the valley without my knowledge, even if 
 he Avere inclined to do so, which I am afraid he is not. He is prob 
 ably hiding for awhile, aided, I am afraid, by Clara and her rela 
 tives, who have, at least, been indiscreet enough to cater to his 
 vicious tastes. 
 
 " Shall I take her to task, papa ? " 
 
 "Not for the present, child. 1 think I have noticed slight 
 signs of reform in the lad, and, if I could succeed in making a 
 useful member of society of him, I would consider myself richly 
 indemnified for all the trouble and disappointment he has caused 
 me. If I wanted to find him I need only put a couple of my in- 
 dians upon his track, who would soon unearth him ; but the hard 
 ships and the solitude of his retreat may possibly have a salutary 
 cJl ect on him ; so we may as well let him have his way for awhile, 
 unless we discover him at some new mischief. As to his brother, 
 he causes me fully as much annoyance, though in a different way. 
 He is undoubtedly a very dangerous fellow." 
 
 Inex looked triumphantly at Arthur, as if she meant to say : 
 "Did I not tell you." 
 
 "But, Father," Arthur ventured to say, who by the by, had
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 185 
 
 been directed to use this tender title ; "if Philip is really so dan 
 gerous, why should you hesitate to expel him fi-ora the valley ? 
 
 " There are several reasons which cause me to hesitate, Arthur. 
 I learn from your journal that you are acquainted with the tender 
 ties which at one time bound me to the mother of these young 
 men. For her sake I would like to deal gently with them. There 
 is, of course, a limit to endurance, and if 1 catch Philip at plots 
 endangering the peace and safety of this colony, I shall no longer 
 spare him. Our colony must, and surely will, soon be beset by 
 perils of all kinds, and it would show a distrust in the stability of 
 my own institutions if I timidly banished from our precincts every 
 person suspected of harboring hostile designs against it. You see 
 it is a kind of a test I am making, and, unless the serpent strikes a 
 vital spot, we will give it a chance to play its forked tongue." 
 
 " But he may aim at your own safety, papa ; yes threaten your 
 life," Inez said anxiously. 
 
 " Nay, child, I give Philip credit for too much sagacity for such 
 foolish attempts. By doing so he would only imperil his own life, 
 without any chance of success whatever. Besides, heroic measures 
 are not Philip s forte. If he can work out his plans by stealth and 
 strategy, look out for him, for I think I do him no injustice by as 
 serting that he would not stop short of any extremes to carry out 
 his purposes. But let us drop this unpleasant subject and deliber 
 ate upon the best manner of introducing our boy to our community. 
 Shall he appear as a new figure or step into the shoes of his un 
 worthy predecessor? " 
 
 "These shoes are rather filthy, papa," Inez suggested, with evi 
 dent disgust." 
 
 " That is true, child, but consider the talk and gossip the publi 
 cation of the story in all its details Would create. As far as gossip 
 ing is concerned, our colonists are but mortals, and there are enough 
 amongst them who would not object to having our name subjected 
 to a thorough washing in dirty water." 
 
 " But, papa, it is hai dly fair that the innocent should suffer for 
 the guilty." 
 
 This shot came home, for Herbert winced a little under it, and 
 was on the point of surrendering unconditionally when Arthur said : 
 
 " Please give me the outlines of the case in question. If I can
 
 18H The Treasure of Montezuind. 
 
 do anything to save annoyance, rest assured that I shall consider it 
 rny privilege to make any sacrifice in your behalf." 
 
 Herbert looked affectionately at the young man, and said : 
 
 "The fact is, the people of Friedensthal need not know of the 
 existence of two Arthur (i rail s, as your namesake is not at all 
 calculated to increase the reputation of the family. Your cousin s 
 reputation is not the very best, in spite of his short sojourn among 
 us, and I fully agree with Inez that we have not the right of mak 
 ing you the scape-goat of another s iniquities. 80 I shall prepare 
 a short notice for the evening papers and inform our public of all 
 they ought to know." 
 
 He was on the point of rising when Arthur interrupted him, 
 saying : 
 
 " One moment father. Would it not, after all, lie best to hide 
 this unpleasant matter from the public, unless absolute necessity 
 compels us to disclose it ? For my part, I am perfectly willing to 
 assume this inheritance. I taink it will not take me long to change 
 the current of public opinion, even if to accomplish it I should 
 have to aspire to angelic goodness for a while." 
 
 A thankful look from Inez s fair eyes rewarded him for his 
 readiness for sacrifice, if such it may be called. 
 
 " You are very good my boy, to thus smooth our way at your 
 expense, and I accept your suggestion, on condition that I am to 
 be permitted to set the public right in case the result prove differ 
 ent from what you expect. And, now, my boy, get well as fast as 
 you can ; there is lots of pleasure in store for you, and work too, 
 for that matter." 
 
 " I am ready for both," Arthur replied with a laugh. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The first week of Arthur s sojourn in Friedensthal had scarcely 
 closed, when Herbert removed all restrictions from his diet as well
 
 The Treasure of Moutezuma. 187 
 
 as his movements ; enjoining of course, only proper prudence in 
 their exercise. As he was yet too weak for work, pleasure, un 
 adulterated, was on the tapis. If ever the story of Eden was veri 
 fied, it was then enacted in Friedensthal. Arthur floated as it 
 were in a sea of intoxication. The new, delicious, sensations which 
 had captivated his heart, gave to everything he did a double charm. 
 The valley was, as we know, full of beauties, but to none did they 
 appear so captivating as to the young man, when at Inez s side, he 
 rolled in a carriage through the fields just then clothed in the new 
 garments of spring. At other times Herbert undertook with him 
 excursions to various parts of the valley, and it is hard to say which 
 was the happier of the two on such occasions. Philip had also 
 manifested a lively interest, but it was based on sordid egotism, and 
 the recognition of this fact destroyed naturally the pleasure of the 
 guide. Here, at last, was the proper appreciation, coupled with an 
 enthusiasm ready to enter upon the slightest suggestion. A\ r hen 
 Herbert spoke of the trouble which the presence of water in the 
 various mines continually gave them, Arthur was ready with a 
 remedy which the latest discoveries in the province of mining had 
 provided. When Herbert pointed to the fine herds of cattle and 
 expressed his fears of the want of a market in case of too rapid an 
 increase, Arthur suggested the erection of establishments which 
 would reduce the surplus meat to extract, which could be easily 
 shipped and finds a ready market everywhere. When Herbert 
 deplored the scarcity of rags for the manufacture of paper, Arthur 
 pointed to a plant growing in great profusion along the hedges, 
 offering an excellent substitute for rags for the manufacture of all 
 kinds and grades of paper. This time there was no lack of knowl 
 edge, and when Herbert asked for this or that modern way of 
 preparing an article, the information was given with a readiness 
 and, withal, a modesty captivat ng Herbert s heart and making 
 the youth dearer to him every moment. At first the excursions 
 were confined to the immediate vicinity, and the city received the 
 lion s share. 
 
 The institutions of art and learning were visited, one after an 
 other. There was at Montezuma a university of respectable size 
 and ability. Only the mere speculative branches of science were 
 not represented.
 
 188 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " Philosophy is a luxury which only idlers can afford," Herbert 
 said, "and we, for our part, have no idlers. What js the use of 
 idle speculations, based on premises incapable of withstanding the 
 slightest onset of reason? The study of philosophy has been 
 actually injurious to the people ; turning their minds from real 
 things and enabling their rulers to deprive them for centuries of the 
 substantial gifts and rights inherent to their birth. It is all we 
 can do to prepare ourselves for the duties of this life, and all 
 speculations tending to alienate us from executing these duties are 
 injurious." 
 
 The University building is situated on the central square. It 
 belongs to the community; its professors are well paid, and re 
 ceive a pension when sickness or old age prevents them from at 
 tending to the execution of their functions. 
 
 " Is this practice carried out in all public departments ? " Arthur 
 inquired. 
 
 "Certainly; else, how could we expect honest and efficient 
 officials? When a man devotes the best years of his life to the 
 service of the community is it not only simple justice that the com 
 munity in turn should take care of him for the rest of his days? " 
 
 "Then you do not follow the practice of the United States, 
 which generally change their public servants with their administra 
 tions ? " 
 
 " Indeed, we are not oblivious to our best interests; but I must 
 not forget to tell you that we pursue a very different course in till 
 ing our offices. I shall take you soon into our public schools 
 which, I flatter myself, compare favorably with the best in the 
 world. At the end of every year there is an examination, not a 
 sham one, understand, at which teacher and pupils play a question 
 and answer game, but one which will bring out the scholarship of 
 the student. Those that pass satisfactorily are promoted to a 
 higher grade, thus rising from step to step until they reach the pin 
 nacle. From the common schools they advance to the high school, 
 from the high school to the university, and it is only those who 
 have gone through the entire course that are entitled to rill our 
 offices." 
 
 "But does such a course not exclude the poor, who are not
 
 The Treasure of Monteznma. 189 
 
 capable of giving their children the advantages of a finished educa 
 tion?" 
 
 "When you know us and our institutions better, you will cease 
 to judge us capable of such injustice. The entire course of educa 
 tion is not only free for everybody, but compulsory to all." 
 
 "But, Uncle, not all are cut out for scholars." 
 
 "Certainly not ; but all ave capable of reaching a certain pro 
 ficiency, and this proficiency we compel! everyone to acquire. A 
 pupil must try his very best before he is allowed to give up. In 
 this way we do not merely lift our next generation gradually 
 to a higher level, but prevent that dangerous dissatisfaction of able 
 but poor persons who are condemned to the drudgeries of life while 
 really capable of preforming the highest functions. Our hewers of 
 wood, our diggers are contented with their fate, for they have had 
 the same chance with the rest and convinced themselves that they 
 are unfit for anything higher. Add to that the fact that they are 
 well paid for their labor, and you will not wonder that you do not 
 find amongst us those dissatisfied grumblers Avith which the world, 
 elsewhere, swarms." 
 
 " Oh, what a generous way of educating a nation ! " 
 
 "Nay, my son, not generous, but merely just and prudent. 
 We go a step further, and educate the body as well. Here every 
 body is fortunately able to supply his family with an abundance of 
 nutritious food, and we have thus far not found it necessary to feed 
 the children at the public expense ; but there is a provision for 
 that nevertheless, and justly so. The community facilitates mar 
 riages to secure its own continuance, and is therefore not only en 
 titled to provide for the sustenance of the offsprings, but even 
 justified in superintending their physical education. We compell 
 our children to submit to a thorough training in gymnastics, and 
 even restrict their diet in the manner yours was restricted." 
 
 " For which I shall be grateful to my dying day. And you en 
 counter no opposition ? " 
 
 " Philip asked me the same question. We find not only no op 
 position but the majority of our families have entirely abandoned 
 the use of articles of food which they have learned to be injurious. 
 But I am tiring you with my dry expositions." 
 
 " How can you think so? I long impatiently for the moment
 
 190 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 when you will permit me to see more deeply into all these things, 
 and actively participate in your glorious work." 
 
 " I trust you will be able to begin before long ; for the present 
 you must think of nothing but getting strong." 
 
 From the university building they went to the Polytecnical 
 School. Here Artur found nothing especially novel, thanks to his 
 mode of education. We know that Anton Stamm had combined 
 practice with theory, by causing Arthur to build or at least work 
 the machinery whose theory he had been taught. The same plan 
 of education was here carried out on a grand scale. A large 
 machine shop was connected with the school, and no day was al 
 lowed to pass by without the execution of some practical work on 
 the part of the students. 
 
 From the Polytecnicum they proceeded to the school of Fine 
 Arts, where a considerable number of students of both sexes were 
 drawing, modeling, painting and sculpturing. 
 
 " And this tuition is also gratis ? " Arthur asked admiringly. 
 
 " Yes, but only conditionally. To be admitted to these rooms, 
 the student must have passed the lower schools, or bring at least a 
 certificate of proficiency from one of the professors of the Institute. 
 This provision was necessary to save the teachers from the throng 
 that would crowd in and waste not only good paint and canvas, but 
 what would be worse, the time of the instructors. As it is, no one 
 is admitted who does not bring the proficiency necessary to insure 
 progress. I have no doubt that you have seen enough of the 
 daubs of amateur artists, to know what a bore they are to the 
 teacher who is unfortunate enough to be obliged to attend to their 
 correction." 
 
 Arthur confessed, with a laugh, that he had seen teachers be 
 come half frantic under such tortures. 
 
 The afternoon was too far spent to visit the public schools, as 
 Herbert had planned. So they returned to the Villa, where Inez 
 received them with a smile which, in Arthur s opinion, fully com 
 pensated him for the disappearance of the rays of the setting sun. 
 After supper Herbert said : 
 
 "To-night they will give AVagner s " Lohengrin" at the Opera 
 House. I think we ought to go and see whether Arthur will be as
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 191 
 
 ranch suprised as Philip was on his first visit to that place of rec 
 reation." 
 
 " I would wager a large sum on that, if I had it," said Philip, 
 who could not complain of any neglect on the part of the circle, 
 though he was not in harmony with their views and feelings; 
 U I tell you Arthur," he said ; "I was completely dazzled at the 
 sight of so much splendor and excellence displayed though I have 
 witnessed the performances of the leading stages of Europe. You 
 Avill find it a repetition of a scene from The Arabian Nights." 
 
 " You must not cause him to expect too much, Philip ; but if 
 Ave are to go, we may as well get ready, for the performance begins 
 at eight. It is seven now, and we Montezumians are not fashiona 
 ble enough to disturb the audience after the beginning of the 
 play." 
 
 The others took the hint, and fifteen minutes afterwards the 
 company boarded one of the street cars, which took them to the 
 central part of the city where the opera house was situated. The 
 fine building was brilliantly illuminated, and a gay throng crowded 
 into the wide passage leading to the interior. AVe have said on a 
 former occasion that Herbert could not show himself in public with 
 out receiving on all sides an ovation of respect and affection. Now, 
 as usual, greetings were showered upon him by old and young. 
 One might have taken him for a prince, receiving homage of the 
 people ; only, in this instance, the respect was free from servility, 
 and the affection free from awe. They bought tickets for the par 
 terre, and the brilliant scene which burst upon Arthur on entering 
 the auditory was so dazzling that he would hardly trust his senses. 
 There was nothing gaudy or overladen in this splendor, and every 
 thing showed a solidity of refinement and elegance, speaking well 
 for the taste of the designers. The galleries were so arranged as to 
 allow a clear view from all parts of the house. The audience was 
 large, and compared favorably with any Arthur had ever seen. 
 Herbert aimed, as we know, at a reform in dressing, and although 
 it would probably have been beyond human power to repress alto 
 gether the desire of these fair damsels to outshine one another, 
 there was, on the whole, no foolish display of dress and jewelry. 
 Inez set her sisters a good example in this respect, but if you had 
 asked the opinion of Arthur he would unhesitatingly have taken
 
 1>2 The Treasure of Montezwna. 
 
 a solemn oath that she looked more charming in her simple white 
 lawn dress than the most gorgeous princess, decked with precious 
 stones. 
 
 Shortly after the arrival of our friends the orchestra began 
 tuning their instruments, and then commenced to play the overture 
 of an opera which, like all the compositions of Richard Wagner, 
 lias been lauded to the skies by his admirers and utterly condemned 
 by his adversaries. It is not our province to criticise his music at 
 this place, for we merely accompanied the party to see how Arthur 
 was impressed by the musical propensities of the people of Monte- 
 zuma. But if we abstain from criticising the composer, we do not 
 hesitate to take that liberty in regard to the performance, and must 
 confess that it reflected the highest credit upon the actors as well as 
 the musicians. We know Arthur to be somewhat of a musician 
 himself, and the enthusiasm with which he afterwards spoke of the 
 merits of both singers and players, induced us to believe them to 
 be of no low order. Indeed, the impression which he took home 
 from that night s entertainment was so favorable and vivid that he 
 was always ready to second the proposal of a visit to the theater. 
 On the occasion of their next visit there was a comedy on the pro 
 gramme, written by a Friedensthal genius, as Inez told Arthur, half 
 jestingly, half proudly, the sequel showing, however, that the lat 
 ter sentiment was a perfectly legitimate one. The wit of the play was 
 of the highest order, and the frequent bursts of laughter and en 
 thusiastic applause with which it was received, spoke well for the 
 intelligence of the Montezumians. On a third occasion our friends 
 witnessed the performance of a classic drama. The house was 
 packed, a circumstance not always noticed in the theaters of the 
 cities of the East, where wretched conglomerations, which have no 
 merits, but far-fetched and sickening sensation, form the attraction 
 of the masses. The acting was as classic as the piece. Arthur was 
 so well pleased with this temple of the Muses that he asked Her 
 bert numerous questions concerning it. He learned that it, too, was 
 an instition of the State, and under the surveillance of an officer ap 
 pointed and paid for that purpose. Nothing vulgar or immoral was 
 allowed on the stage. 
 
 " We consider the stage an institution of learning as Avell as en 
 tertainment, and treat it accordingly. It must elevate, not lower
 
 The Treasure of Montezwna. 193 
 
 the people, and when a new piece is offered us, we take this maxim 
 into consideration. You will witness more than one piece written 
 by Montezumians, and if they are not the most superior, I can safe 
 ly say that they are far from being the most inferior productions of 
 the pen." 
 
 " And you pension old actors ? " 
 
 " Of course, my boy, they devote their strength and talents to 
 the public, and are therefore entitled to public assistance when in 
 firmity renders them unfit for their work. I am sure that the very 
 assurance of this assistance prolongs considerably the period of their 
 usefulness." 
 
 When the inhabitants of the Villa did not visit the theater or 
 other places of entertainment, they generally arranged little con 
 certs at home. Arthur s skill on the violin and the piano became a 
 source of endless pleasure. Never before had Inez enjoyed her own 
 musical skill to such an extent. Not only did the duets with Arthur 
 deepen her appi-eciation of the music they performed, but his 
 knowledge of harmony gave her a deeper insight into music and 
 opened beauties before unknown to her. 
 
 The chief source of delight for these young people, however, lay 
 in the enjoyment of each other s company. Their tastes were so 
 much alike ; their aspirations so similar ; their thoughts, purposes 
 and wishes so nearly identical that a daily increasing affection and 
 assimilation was not only natural, but really unavoidable. And yet 
 the consciousness of their passion had not reached them, and they 
 enjoyed each other s society with the harmlessness and vivacity of 
 children. Herbert, however, had more experience, and the fact 
 that he did not only not stop their increasing familiarity, but be- 
 nignantly smiled his approval, is sufficient evidence that this dawn 
 ing mutual affection had his full sanction, and, perhaps, anticipated 
 his fondest wishes. When Arthur had recovered his full strength, 
 the two exchanged roles, and Arthur became the protector, while 
 Inez, of course, continued to act as a guide. Oh, these delightful 
 rambles through field and forest. Sometimes they proceeded on foot, 
 and on such occasions gathered beautiful flowers or rare herbs, with 
 who sequalities Arthur was generally familiar, since botany had al 
 ways been one of his favorite studies. Many of these plants he now 
 met for the first time in their natural state, and the discovery of
 
 194 Tlie Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 one whose medicinal or other properties promised its future useful 
 ness was always heralded with great jubilation, and shown to Her 
 bert, who seemed to have become ten years younger since Arthur s 
 arrival, and entered upon the sports of his favorites with an enthu- 
 siam quite remarkable for one of his years. 
 
 It did not take Arthur long to gain the good graces of the peo 
 ple of Monte/iuna, and, indeed, whole Friedensthal. It was a lucky 
 circumstance that the first Arthur s phlegmatic nature had reduced 
 his excursions to a minimum, limiting, as it were, the chances of 
 the people to become intimately acquainted with him. Even the 
 knowledge of the nearest neighbors was of a merely negative char 
 acter, and when the true heir now appeared among them, display 
 ing all the amiable traits of his noble nature, everybody wondered 
 at his previous blindness, and congratulated Herbert on so desirable 
 an acquisition to his family. When the excursions of the young 
 people were extended to the mountains bounding the valley on 
 both, sides, they proceeded on horseback. Civility induced them to 
 always offer an invitation to Philip, but it was rarely accepted, for 
 such excursions always proved to be a source of great annoyance, 
 not to say torture to him. He could not help seeing the growing 
 affection of his cousins, and, thoughhis own heart was not greatly 
 affected by this discovery, it threatened to interfere seriously with 
 his plans, and therefore filled him with rage. Moreover, nothing 
 was so well calculated to show to advantage the splendid physical 
 training of Arthur as these very rides, and it was gall and worm 
 wood to him to see the undisguised admiration with which Ine/ 
 gaxed upon the young man s horsemanship and the many acts of 
 skill and daring he had the opportunity to perform. More than 
 once this skill and prowess saved Inez from serious harm, and the 
 gratitude which she felt could not help giving her feelings for him 
 a deeper color. 
 
 The torture which Philip suffered under these circumstances be 
 came well-nigh unendurable, and made him exceedingly impatient 
 at the tardiness with which his brother perfected the preparation for 
 his departure. The truth is, this shallow young man was greatly 
 flattered by the violent passion with which he had inspired Clara, 
 and as her training and fiery disposition induced her to gratify his 
 low animal appetite, he felt quite contented with his solitude, enliv-
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 195 
 
 ened as it was by numerous visits whicli the imprudent gir managed 
 to pay him. Thus it was that he paid little or no attention to his 
 brother s urgent summons to depart. Philip was afraid to pay him 
 a personal visit, knowing full well that he would not be able to take 
 such a step without the knowledge of Huatle, whose watchful eyes 
 he saw in his dreams fixed upon him. Oh, how he hated this In 
 dian. How he hated the whole family of the Villa. Indeed, noth 
 ing but the prospect of immense wealth, and recently the thirst for 
 vengeance, could have induced him to remain another day in 
 Montezuma. He knew that he need only give his brother an inti 
 mation of the nature of the feeling springing up in the hearts of 
 Arthur and Inez to stir him from his sloth ; but he also knew that 
 such a communication would produce an outburst of passion so vio 
 lent as to take the management of affairs entirely from his hands, 
 thus threatening to frustrate, with one blow, plans so carefully laid 
 and so full of promise. He resolved to resort to such a disclosure 
 only as a last expedient, not dreaming that the mad jealousy of a 
 girl would start the ball whose rolling he had good reason to believe 
 destructive. 
 
 About a week after the visit to the theater, Herbert told 
 Arthur that he \vould make his customary monthly visit to the 
 schools, and asked him whether he felt strong enough to accompany 
 him. 
 
 " Mind," he said with a smile, " these young folks are very ac 
 tive, and may lead you quite a dance before you are through. 
 They may want you to give them a proof of your skill as a gym 
 nast, but I warn you to abstain from any violent exercise calculated 
 to re-open your wounds." 
 
 Arthur promised to observe the proper discretion, and the two 
 started. On entering the first school-room, Arthur could not help 
 noticing the healthy appearance and general beauty of the children, 
 and expressed his satisfaction to his companion. 
 
 " Yes, our little ones are very pretty, but the apparent mystery 
 can be expressed in three little words. They are: " Absence of 
 want. 
 
 "Nothing mars human comliness so much as scanty or unwhole 
 some food. The improvement is not so marked at once, but every 
 generation tells, and if our prosperity continues, we will by and by
 
 196 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 have perfect little cherubs. As to their healthfulness, we owe their 
 comliness to the judicious treatment which tliey received at home 
 and in school. We never keep them longer than four hours on their 
 seats, the fifth and sixth hours being spent in physical exercises. 
 Come, we are just in time to witness some of their gymnastics." 
 
 Leaving the building, they stepped upon a large lawn, which 
 was provided Avith all kindsof apparatus, with plenty of loom, 
 however, for playing and running. No sooner had the children 
 caught sight of their friend, than they raised a lusty universal 
 shout, and rushed to him with an eagerness touching to behold. 
 After the first storm of delight had abated a little, Herbert said to 
 the children : 
 
 "My clear friends, this gentleman is my nephew, Arthur Grau, 
 who has come to make your acquaintance, and to see whether you 
 are really as clever and good as I have represented you to be. Do 
 your very best now, and reflect credit upon yourselves and your 
 teachers." 
 
 This was the signal for the commencement of the exercises, 
 which were marked by great efficiency, but whose principal charm 
 consisted in the earnestness with which all entered upon the work. 
 Nor were the girls behind the boys. Their bloomer suits enabled 
 them to move with great freedom, and in running, jumping and 
 climbing they often outstripped the boys. The most charming part 
 of the performance, in Arthur s opinion, was a kind of a dance 
 which they all entered and which consisted in graceful movements 
 around each other, describing a circle, and finally returning to the 
 place whence they had started. 
 
 "Gracefulness is a great charm," said Herbert in explanation, 
 " and we consider it our duty to develop all the grace with which 
 nature has endowed the child." 
 
 " Returning to the school, Arthur noticed that the language of 
 of one room was Spanish, that of a second English and that of the 
 third German. 
 
 " Do you teach these three languages ? he inquired. 
 
 "As you see," was the reply. 
 
 " But does not this combination confuse the children ?" 
 
 " No, Arthur ; I think not. It retards the acquisition of the 
 three languages, but, at the same time, affords a mental discipline
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 197 
 
 which cannot be excelled. Speak to the children in either of these 
 languages, or in all of them, and you will find them familiar with 
 them and able to use them fluently." 
 
 Arthur saw that it was Herbert s wish for him to make the ex 
 periment, and he therefore obeyed. He told the children, who in 
 this room averaged the age of fourteen, a story ; first in German, 
 then in English, and finally in Spanish. Then he asked them 
 questions, skipping rapidly from one language to another. In vain ; 
 all his questions were answered readily and in expressions showing 
 the pupils perfect familiarity with the idioms. Arthur expressed 
 his delight as well as surprise. 
 
 " There is nothing strange about it," Herbert said, with a smile. 
 " You see we merely carry out the principle of combining practice 
 and theory into execution. Every teacher wishing employment in 
 our schools must be master of these three languages, and use a dif 
 ferent one every day in regular rotation. The circumstance that 
 our children hear these languages daily at home and in the streets, 
 of course, facilitates our ta?k, but we would, no doubt, be success 
 ful without it." 
 
 " Do you consider such an accomplishment of great value?" 
 
 Certainly, Arthur. The material, advantage in traffic and 
 commerce is sufficiently great to pay for the trouble and expense ; 
 but the chief gain is a mental and moral one. By learning three 
 languages, our children become cosmopolitan, a title higher in my 
 estimation than that of German, Englishman or American. They 
 do not feel and consider themselves specially bound to one nation, 
 and are therefore able to rise more readily above any special na 
 tional foible or weakness as long as the sentiment prevails which 
 inculcates the sentiment. My native country first, whether right 
 or wrong, to true cosmopolitans, in other words genuine philanthro 
 pists, will be a myth or fraud." 
 
 Again Arthur was impressed with the lofty standpoint which 
 this remarkable man occupied. His efforts were not made in the 
 interest of one tribe, or one race, or one continent ; no, his aspira 
 tions embraced the entire globe, and were for that very reason con 
 sidered visionary by so many, a circumstance at which we surely 
 need not wonder. Can a little insect embrace in its view the mighty 
 mountain on which it crawls?
 
 198 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 After visiting the schools, Herbert took Arthur to the floating 
 bath house on the lake, where every child of the city has to learu 
 swimming and pay daily visits between the age of eight and six 
 teen. Girls are not excepted, their bathing suits differing from 
 those of the boys merely by an additional cap which protects their 
 hair. Arthur inquired whether the teachers did not find it diffi 
 cult to compel a regular attendance. 
 
 " No, indeed," Herbert replied with a laugh : " they are all so 
 anxious to come that the deprival of a day s attendance is one of 
 the most effectual punishments in the hands of the teachers." 
 
 " And do the children bathe at all seasons? " 
 
 "Yes, with the exception of December and .January, which 
 embrace the vacation of the swimming teachers, whose duties are 
 quite arduous. But here they come now look out for some fun." 
 
 Just then Arthur saw long strings of children approaching, all 
 walking slowly, as they had been warned not to overheat them 
 selves and knew, moreover, that they would not be allowed to in 
 dulge in their favorite pastime if they presented a Hushed appear 
 ance. There was a separate house for each sex, and the buildings 
 were very large, to accommodate all the children, who numbered 
 fully four thousand. The smaller ones were under the strict super 
 vision of the teachers and not permitted to go beyond certain 
 limits ; but the older and more expert swimmers had the freedom 
 of the lake, the girls venturing as far as the boys, whom, indeed, 
 they equaled in strength and skill. On the ringing of a bell all 
 had to retire from the water, which they did with a good enough 
 grace, verifying the axiom that the freest are always the readiest 
 observers of the law. Arthur repeatedly expressed his admiration 
 for this bathing institute, and vowed that he would make it a point 
 to assist in superintending and furthering so salutary an establish 
 ment. 
 
 On the way home Herbert pointed out to him the large and 
 comfortable places serving as kindergartens. 
 
 "To me it is a source of the keenest pleasure/ he said, "to 
 witness the enjoyment of the happy little ones gathered there : for 
 sport and nothing but sport it must appear to them, else the kinder 
 garten becomes a curse instead of a blessing. I often spend a whole 
 morning there, and I wager there is not a shaver in the city over
 
 The Treasure of Montezuina. 199 
 
 four years who does not know me. Do you see the wing added to 
 this school? Well it contains the workshop which is, indeed, a 
 feature of every public school in the city. There the boys are 
 taught the use of all kinds of tools and the use of both hands in 
 discriminately. It is, in my opinion, a great mistake to skill one 
 hand at the expense and total neglect of the other, when it is so 
 easy to make them both equally expert by a little attention in sea 
 son. But here is the Villa. If your appetite is as keen as mine, 
 there will be a famine in the vallev sure." 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 A f OXSTITUTION. 
 
 Pleasure is good enough if there is not too much of it. Hardly 
 had Arthur been four weeks at Montezuma, and felt his old strength 
 returning, when he told Herbert that his loafing days were over 
 and that he must have something to do to foel that he was earning 
 his board. This was said playfully, of course, but there was an 
 undercurrent of earnestness about it which showed that Arthur was 
 in earnest, and really anxious to do what work he could to lighten 
 the burden of a man who had done so much for him, and evidently 
 stood in sore need of assistance. Herbert, however, thought best 
 to prolong his rest a little, and therefore said : 
 
 " How would it be if I gave you a little insight into the work 
 ing of our machinery before putting you at the helm ? I am sure 
 Philip and Ine/ would be patient, if not appreciative listeners and 
 pardon us for robbing them of a few hours, even if taxed to the 
 limit of endurance." 
 
 " Papa is only joking," said Ine/, smiling ; " he knows too 
 well how deep an interest I take in such matters not to be delighted 
 at an opportunity to hear them discussed." 
 
 " And as for me," Philip remarked, with the politeness of the 
 man of the world ; " my tastes are not to be considered. In this 
 instance, however, I am with the majority ; for although I may
 
 200 The Treasure of Montezumu. 
 
 differ with uncle Herbert in his social and political views, and may 
 even take the liberty of arguing with him when the opportunity 
 offers, I am too much delighted at the ingenuity of his ideas to lose 
 a chance of listening to them." 
 
 "Very politely framed," Herbert said with a bow. "Well, 
 Arthur, it seems, the coast is clear and I may as well benefit by 
 this favorable opportunity to place my guns into position and fire 
 away. To begin then, in my opinion, the entire system of taxation 
 hitherto practiced is fundamentally wrong, as all governments, 
 without exception, tax the industry of their people, thereby put 
 ting a premium upon idleness, alias, speculation, alias, robbery." 
 
 " Here I might interpose an objection," said Philip ; " but pre 
 fer to wait for a further development of this strange hypothesis." 
 
 " It is coming," Herbert said, with a smile. " You and I buy 
 each a city lot which join and possess equal value. You let your 
 lot lie for mere speculation while I go to work, fence and cultivate 
 it, erect buildings, in short, develop all its natural resources and 
 advantages. Your other neighbors follow my example and, by our 
 united efforts, we turn a mere cow-pasture into a thriving place. 
 You alone continue to hold your lot for speculation, and the unjust 
 government continues to tax your lot for cow-pasture while we had 
 no sooner put up our fences than we were taxed for our improve 
 ments. Our taxes continue to increase with our improvements, 
 which added to the value of your lot without any effort whatever 
 on your part. If that is not the quintessence of injustice I don t 
 know what is." 
 
 I admit that sounds plausible ; but if you are right all specu 
 lation is wrong." 
 
 " And so it is, undoubtedly. It is only a pretty name for legal 
 ized robbery." 
 
 " That is a strong term." 
 
 " But a just one." 
 
 "Ought not prudence and forethought be rewarded?" 
 
 "Not at the expense of justice. It is the province of society 
 to protect the feeble against the usurpations of what we are pleased 
 to call the shrewd, but which, in reality, we ought to call the grasp- 
 g a n d aggressive." 
 
 > i : where is the remedy?"
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma, 201 
 
 " In the declaration and adoption of the principle that land is 
 common and not individual property, and ought alone to bear the 
 brunt of taxation. Taxing personal property is taxing industry, 
 and putting a premium upon speculation which, in my opinion, 
 ought to be branded as an infamous imposition by a few upon the 
 m assess." 
 
 " But that would be an injustice to large land owners." 
 
 " There ought to be no land-owners at all. Let each have as 
 much of the common property as he needs, but let him pay a good 
 round sum for the use of it ; then there would be room for all of 
 us on this globe and there could not be such anomalies as, for in 
 stance, in England, where the entire land is owned by the ridicu 
 lously small minority of a few thousands." 
 
 " And this theory is carried out in Friedensthal? " 
 
 " It will be in a short time. As yet, I own all the land of the 
 valley, but in a few months we shall celebrate the twenty-fifth an 
 niversary of the foundation of this colony, and on that day I shall 
 deed the land for ever in fee simple to the commonwealth ; i. e., 
 the people." 
 
 How different were the feelings of the three persons listening 
 to these words. Inez, the most directly concerned in the transac 
 tion, listened with an indifference concerning the great sacrifice in 
 volved truly grand, although it must be taken into consideration 
 that habit prevented her from feeling the sacrifice. In Arthur s 
 breast there was nothing but unmixed admiration for the magnanim 
 ity capable of conceiving and carrying out such an unselfish pro 
 ject. In Philip, finally there was a mixture of contempt and pity 
 at what he considered puerile, or rather seuile. sentimentality. 
 Never before had this grand possession appeared so desirable to him, 
 and never before had his determination of preventing such folly at 
 all ha/ards been so strong. But he had no time to follow his 
 thoughts, for Herbert resumed : 
 
 "There are twelve thousand farms of fifty acres each in the 
 valley, paying an average of one dollar per acre, yielding an 
 annual revenue of 8600,000. 
 
 " Montezuma pays $400,000 on her forty thousand lots, the 
 other towns and villages the same sum, making $1,400,000 from 
 the land. The railroad yields a net revenue of 100,000, and
 
 202 The Treuxiire of Montezuma. 
 
 from the mines \ve reali/e $500,000 more, making a grand total of 
 82,000,000, which sum covers not only all ordinary expenditures, 
 but even leaves us a small surplus." 
 
 " I should have thought the railroad would yield a larger reve 
 nue ; there is a great deal of tratic, and the passenger trains are al 
 most always well rilled." 
 
 " Yes, I have no doubt a New York syndicate could grind a 
 million out of it ; but we pay our railroad officials living wages, 
 and carry passengers and freight at the lowest rates possible ; hence 
 the difference." 
 
 " You forget the sinking fund for the benefit of old and crippled 
 railroaders, papa." 
 
 " To be sure, child. Well, that alone takes about $50,000 an 
 nually, but the community owns the road ; so, what is the use to rob 
 Peter to pay Paul ? " 
 
 " Who owns the street-cars, father? " Arthur inquired. 
 
 " The Commonwealth. /. e. not the city but the entire popula 
 tion of the Valley. They also own the banks." 
 
 " You do not coin your own money?" 
 
 " No, for the sake of convenience and on account of our for 
 eign trade we use the coinage of Mexico and the I nited States of 
 North America, which are identical, you know." 
 
 " And how large is your circulating medium, I ncle ? " 
 " About SI 0,000, 000, I should say. Of course the sum fluctu 
 ates in proportion to our greater or smaller indebtedness to foreign 
 parties, although our exports fortunately exceed our imports 
 slightly." 
 
 " What do you export, father ?" 
 
 " A variety of articles, the principal ones being raisins? of a su 
 perior quality, hides, corned beef, silk (raw and manufactured), ma 
 chines, agricultural implements," etc. 
 
 " And where is your market, Tncle ? " 
 
 " Principally in Mexico : but we also ship to Central America 
 and California. We would trade more with the latter country, but 
 their absurd tariff debars us." 
 
 " How so absurd, I ncle ? Do you not deem it proper to pro 
 tect the industries of a country?" 
 
 " It is not a question of propriety, but of profit, Philip.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 20 J 
 
 " But who mediates your commerce, father? " 
 
 AA T e have several steamers on the seas. One of them makes 
 one or two annual voyages "o European ports ; a second one plies 
 between here and San Francisco, bringing and taking our mail, and 
 a third and last one mediates our trade with Mexico and Central 
 America." 
 
 " And is the Rio Frio navigable for ocean steamers ? " 
 
 " Yes, for the first twenty miles, which is all we need," 
 
 "Strange that I have never noticed their arrival or departure?" 
 
 " Not so strange when you consider that Montezuma is seventy 
 miles from the coast, and that these vessels universally arrive and 
 depart in the night." 
 
 "But you surely have nothing to hide or fear, Uncle ? " 
 
 " No, Philip ; but there are always idlers who make it their busi 
 ness to attend to things that don t concern them, and it does not suit 
 \is just at present, and will, in fact, not suit us for a while to have 
 such fellows meddle with our affairs." 
 
 " But, father, I am sure the Mexican Government knows of 
 you ? You could surely not hide a settlement of a hundred 
 thousand souls so effectually that they could not discover it if they 
 wanted to ? 
 
 " I give you credit for such shrewd observation, Arthur. You 
 are right. The Mexican Government knows of me and my doings. 
 I have, indeed, warm friends amongst the highest officials, and pay 
 annually a considerable sum into the treasury, but they know I do 
 not wish to be noticed, and so they do not notice me." 
 
 " You surely have a legislative body, Uncle?" 
 
 " Yes a council of ten ; one councilor for every ten thousand 
 inhabitants." 
 
 " Have you no President?" 
 
 "I have been a kind of President thus far, but shall abdicate 
 as soon as the constitution is adopted by the people." 
 
 " And when will that be? " 
 
 "The day before the twenty -fifth anniversary. The people will 
 then elect their regular President." 
 
 " AVhat about your judicial system, Uncle?" 
 
 " We have two common judges here in Montezuma, one in Iron- 
 ton and a fourth one in Enterprise. From these judges there is an
 
 204 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 appeal to the Supreme Court, consisting of the four judges men 
 tioned and a presiding judge, who resides in Montezuma. 
 
 " And these five judges are able to transact the legal business 
 of the entire valley ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; and I am sure they have easy times of it. You 
 must remember that all our relations are so simple as to cause little 
 or no litigation. 
 
 " And the criminal cases ? " 
 
 " Are equally rare. We have never yet pronounced sentence 
 of death, but in extreme cases inflicted banishment from the val 
 ley, which they probably fear more than death." 
 
 " You spoke of banks, father. Is there a fixed rate of interest 
 here ? " 
 
 " Yes, the legal rate is two per cent." 
 
 "Two per cent., Uncle? Why at that rate a fellow must be 
 rich to live comfortably on his interest ? " 
 
 " Correct, Philip ; fortunately we have not a single one of such 
 leeches here. It was for the very purpose of preventing the growth 
 of such fungi that the interest was fixed so low." 
 
 " At that rate you will never get foreign capital to seek invest 
 ment here." 
 
 " It is welcome to stay away. Strong arms and willing hands 
 are always welcome, provided they are willing to submit to the will 
 of the majority, but, as to capital as such, the least we have of it 
 the better we shall fare." 
 
 " One more question, Uncle, if you please. I heard some one 
 say, the other day, that there was little or no trouble to get a di 
 vorce here. Do you deem it wise to facilitate such steps ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; when the bond of matrimony has become a glaring 
 lie it is by far better that the contractants should part than con 
 tinue to forswear themselves ; but, while we facilitate divorces in 
 cases of utter lack of congeniality, we guard against the hasty and 
 wanton formation of the marriage tie." 
 
 But, by so doing, you also place an impediment in the way to 
 increase and perpetuation." 
 
 "No, we do not impede the consummation of marriages, but 
 prevent a hasty and inconsiderate utterance of the vow. When 
 a couple want to marry they have to make their betrothal known
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 205 
 
 a year before the marriage ceremony is performed, thus forcing 
 them to become well acquainted with each other before binding 
 themselves for life. At the same time, while facilitating divorces, 
 we make them undesirable by forbiding a new marriage of the 
 separating parties for the term of five jears. " 
 
 "That may prove very hard under circumstances." 
 
 "It may, and we therefore give our supreme court discretion 
 ary power in such cases." 
 
 Arthur had listened with such absorbing interest that he had 
 abstained from asking any questions. When Herbert had finished 
 he said : 
 
 "I thank you very much for your interesting expositions. You 
 have thrown light upon many things that were dark to me. I feel 
 intuitively that you are right, and, if the wonderful prosperity of 
 Friedensthal is taken as a criterion, as, in my opinion, it ought to 
 be, your principle must be right. I now long more than ever to 
 participate in the running of this grand machinery, and beg you 
 earnestly to give me active employment." 
 
 "Very well, my boy; but to get the employment in Friedens 
 thal, you will have to pass our customary State examination. You 
 perceive it would not do to ask exemption from obligations binding 
 others, for such a step would justly provoke the cry of partiality 
 and, what would be even worse, subject you to the imputation of 
 ignorance and inability." 
 
 "You are perfectly correct, father, and I beg you to take the 
 necessary steps without delay." 
 
 Thus this lesson in statesmanship was closed, and the party re 
 tired to their respective rooms. The next morning Herbert notifi 
 ed the board of examiners of Arthur s desire to be examined in 
 chemistry, mining and engineering, and on the day following the 
 ordeal took place. It was by no means a sham examination but 
 made even more than commonly severe, by Herbert s \vish, in 
 order to afford Arthur an opportunity to show the thoroughness of 
 his acquirements. The result showed the wisdom of his course. 
 Never before had such a brilliant examination occured in Monte- 
 zuma. The papers spoke of it in glowing terms, and the president 
 of the board could not forbear from calling upon Herbert and con 
 gratulating him warmly upon his nephew s success. This finished
 
 2(K) The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 the young man s conquest of the people of Friedensthal, and when 
 he, a little later, received the appointment of Superintendent of 
 all the mines in the valley, with a salary proportionate to his work 
 and duties, there was not a person in the colony who did not 
 heartily concur in the appointment; excepting, of course, Philip 
 and his brother, who both nurtured their wrath and continued plot 
 ting against a community whose florishing condition spoke for the 
 excellence of its institutions, and whose continuence was, therefore, 
 devoutly to be hoped and wished for by all sincere friends of 
 humanity. But what does sordid egotism or groveling lust care for 
 humanity? They use the race as the toper uses the lemon, squeez 
 ing out the juice and then throwing away the worthless pulp. 
 
 Meanwhile, it is time for us to go and sec how the hermit, 
 against his will, has fared in the mine. For that purpose we join 
 Clara one Saturday evening as she wends her way to Carlos farm, 
 and, after spending the night stealthily in the hay-loft, proceeds to 
 to the old mine. On reaching it she puts her basket down and 
 goes in search of her husband, for as such she considers him, and 
 such she calls him in addressing him. He is not far, and with a 
 cry of joy, she rushes into his arms. He is really fond of her in 
 his way, but his affection partakes more of the fondness of a mas 
 ter for a faithful mastiff than that of a husband for his wire. He 
 returned her caresses in a languid way, asking for the news of the 
 town and at the same time cursing the solitude of his residence and 
 the necessity which keeps him there. 
 
 "But why not return, my Arturo? " she said tenderly. " I am 
 sure father Herbert would forgive all past offenses, and give you a 
 situation which would support you and me. Oh, Arturo, do re 
 turn, for I shall soon be unable to hide my love from the eyes of 
 the world, and then what will become of me ? " 
 
 lie stared gloomily into the vacant air, but made no reply. 
 
 " Donna Inez will put in a good word for us," she continued, 
 "and so will Don Arturo, your cousin, who is really an excellent 
 young man. He has received a great office now, and I should not 
 wonder if he and my misstress would soon be a pair." 
 
 He started as if stung by an adder, and, pushing her rudely 
 aside, said savagely : "What did you say ? Soon be a pair ? Not 
 if this hand does not forget its cunning,"
 
 The Treasure of Mbntezuma. - 207 
 
 " How rude you are ! And I see your professions of love are 
 only sham. I am good enough to gratify your passion, but your 
 thoughts still dwell with my mistress. How wretched I am ! but 
 I shall have my revenge. I am going to kill her and then myself, 
 to end a life which has no longer a charm for me." 
 
 Her passionate words brought him back to his senses. He drew 
 her back to his arms and said soothingly : 
 
 "Clara, do not talk so wildly and foolishly. Who cares for 
 her? Only I do not Avant this upstart to have her. You say he 
 has a fat office." 
 
 " Ye.s, he passed a splendid examination, they say, and shortly 
 after was appointed superintendent of the mines, at a large salary." 
 
 "And and they they look sweetly at each other, do they?" 
 
 " Yes, they do, innocent like, you know. I don t think he has 
 spoken to her as yet, but I shouldn t wonder if he soon would." 
 
 He had to make a great effort not to repeat the former scene, 
 but at last succeeded. 
 
 " Did you bring me the rum ? " he asked gruffly. 
 
 "Yes, dear, but the cigars I could not get. There is not an 
 other box left in the city, they say." 
 
 " He replied with a curse, and eagerly swallowed a large dram 
 of the strong liquor she had brought him. This seemed to soothe 
 him, for he became more social, and listened patiently to her 
 rambling remarks, although he could not force himself to partici 
 pate much in the conversation. She made repeated efforts during 
 the day to persuade liim to throw himself on the mercy of his uncle, 
 but could not get anything but the vague promise that he would 
 think of the matter and let her know on the occasion of her next 
 visit. The poor girl was evidently down-hearted, and left towards 
 evening with scalding tears in her eyes. She had scarcely disap 
 peared, when he also took his departure, taking care not to betray 
 his steps to her. 
 
 On reaching Carlos farm, he entered the arbor where we have 
 met him so often and, sitting down, abandoned himself to his 
 thoughts. They were not of the most pleasant kind. His rash 
 venture had not panned out very well up to this time. The love 
 for his cousin had only been a source of grief and vexation, and 
 would bring more grief and vexation in the future. But of one
 
 208 The Tirunure of Montezuma. 
 
 thing he felt sure ; if he was not to call the girl his own nobody 
 else should; least of all this interloper, who had come to win. He 
 was now determined to act upon his brother s advice and enter into 
 his scheme ; but before doing so he would settle his account with 
 his rival. It was now about nine o clock, and the inmates of the 
 farm-house were likely in bed. Nevertheless he determined to 
 make an attempt to speak with Carlos. Of the dog he had no fears. 
 He had been so often at the farm that the dog had become ac 
 customed, if not friendly to him. It was a moonlight night ; cau 
 tiously he approached the house, until the savage growl of Pluto ar 
 rested his steps. 
 
 " Here Pluto," he saM, soothingly ; and his words had the de 
 sired effect, for the dog ceased growling, and, after a last dissatis 
 fied grunt, retired to his kennel. There was light in the house yet, 
 and, on getting a little nearer, the bandit heard voices and laugh 
 ter. " They must have visitors," he muttered ; " that is fortunate, 
 for it would have greatly discommoded me not to speak with him 
 to-night. But I shall have to wait until they leave." 
 
 He retired into the shade of a building, and had the satisfaction 
 of hearing the party breaking up soon after. The host accom 
 panied the visitors to the main road, and was not a little startled 
 when the bandit intercepted him on his return. 
 
 "But this is reckless, Captain," he said with a frown. "Do 
 you know that I have good reasons for believing that Father 
 (Jrayo suspects our intimacy ? 
 
 " Well, let him suspect, then. I am going to leave the valley in 
 a week or two, and meanwhile you must manage to hide me at the 
 farm. During the day I can stay in the arbor, for no one thinks of 
 searching for me, and during the night 1 can crawl into the hay 
 loft, unless Dame Marguerita prefers to accommodate me with one 
 of her good beds, which I think she would be glad to do." 
 
 Carlos observed a dogged silence, until the bandit at length 
 compelled him to speak, by saying sharply : 
 
 " Well, am I to have no answer? By St. Mercury, don t trifle 
 with me, for I am not in the mood to stand any nonsense." 
 
 " You say you are going to leave soon ? " Carlos now inquired. 
 
 "I do say so ; but don t you make 3113- attempts to hurry my
 
 The Tf ensure of Montezuma. 209 
 
 movements, my good friend, or you might find such a task un 
 profitable." 
 
 Is ever before had the farmer seen his old associate so surly. He 
 felt instinctively that a little more provocation would bring on a 
 crisis in which he would fare badly, whatever the result might be 
 to the other, so he said : 
 
 " Well, Captain, have your own way ; but don t blame me if 
 you come to harm. Come with me ; there is a little room over the 
 stable with a bed in it ; there you can rest well enough." 
 
 He led the way and conducted the bandit to a small apartment, 
 scantily furnished, but comfortable enough to pass a few nights in. 
 
 " I must not tarry," he said, " else Marguerita will wonder at 
 my absence and ply me with questions. I shall manage in some 
 way to supply you with meals to-morrow. If they fall short of 
 your expectations, do riot blame my good will, but circumstances 
 over which I have no control. Good night, Captain." 
 
 Next morning he appeared early, carrying a basket with victu 
 als and a small can with coffee-. 
 
 "I have to disturb you early, Captain," he said ; " at a later 
 hour Marguerita would have discovered my movements. I wish 
 you a very good appetite." 
 
 With that he was off again. The bandit breakfasted as well he 
 could under the circumstances, and then slipped unseen to his fa 
 vorite resort the arbor. True, he could not indulge in the luxury 
 of a cigar, but Carlos had furnished him with his favorite beverage, 
 of which he imbibed more freely than ever. Drinking and musing 
 he spent a couple of hours, and was on the point of yielding to the 
 drowsiness produced by his potations, when he suddenly heard the 
 clatter of hoofs on the near highway, and, on looking through the 
 foliage, discovered the very persons that had engaged his undivided 
 thoughts for the past hours. They were not more than thirty paces 
 away, and Arthur could distinctly hear their merry laughter and 
 plainly see their faces. Something like a blind frenzy took hold of 
 him, causing him to shake with fury. He felt like rushing forth 
 and slaying them both on the spot, and it was with the greatest dif 
 ficulty that he succeeded in resisting this mad impulse. They 
 passed at a rapid canter, and soon entered the woods, the bandit 
 staring at the spot where they disappeared.
 
 210 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "The devil may stand this much longer," he growled ; " I, for 
 my part, can t." 
 
 " I shall watch him to find his favorite haunts, and then tackle 
 and crush the life out of him. Wait, my fine fellow, when you feel 
 my grip you will understand that there is quite a difference between 
 making love to a pretty girl and righting an enraged foe in mortal 
 combat ; for, mind you, one of us will remain on the battlefield. I 
 might blow your brains out with a pistol shot ; but there is a foolish 
 remnant of chivalry, perhaps honor, left in me which makes me 
 shrink from such a thought ; but I ll nevertheless make sure of you, 
 and drink your life s blood with a gusto." 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 " DKI: wiM)Ki;sciioi:> i; MONAT MAI. 
 
 "That means in English : " The wondroudy beautiful month 
 of May." And wondrously beautiful, indeed, it is ; but not in the 
 United States, where it would surely not inspire poets to singing 
 praise. In Friedensthal it comes somewhat nearer to the charms 
 which have inspired the bards of all ages, though in that low lati 
 tude it has lost the freshness forming its principal attraction. 
 Thanks to the judicious arrangements of Herbert, however, the 
 abundant supply of water kept the grass green and the foliage 
 fresh, so that the eye might well reveal the picture of luxuriance 
 which the entire valley presented. Arthur had wondered at this 
 seemingly inexhaustible supply of an elementgenerally too scarce in 
 the tropics until he had seen the measures which Herbert had taken 
 to husband it. It is not the want of water which generally makes 
 the tropics so arid, but the rare intervals at which the clouds open 
 their flood-gates. When their rain falls it generally comes in 
 mighty torrents, and the person who can manage to store up the 
 surplus then, will secure a bountiful supply for the entire year. 
 That Herbert had been able to accomplish, favored by the forma 
 tions of the mountains. Just north of the valley, towering cliffs
 
 The Treasure of Montezama. 211 
 
 surrounded a gigantic basin which slopes towards the south, and 
 only needed a short wall to collect the rainfall of the mountains 
 and the melting snow, covering the neighboring peaks to the depth 
 of many feet. Similar gullies or ravines run at right angles with and 
 between the knobs forming the side ranges, excellently adapted for 
 and easily changed into reservoirs by the construction of strong 
 though short dams or walls at the inside end. Benefiting by these 
 natural advantages, Herbert had succeeded in storing an immense 
 quantity of water, which did not only keep the river of the valley 
 sufficiently high foi 1 the supply of water-power for the numerous 
 industrial establishments on its banks, but also irrigated the fields 
 and meadows and fed the numerous fountains which toned the heat 
 of the tropical valley into that of the temperate zone. 
 
 Under these circumstances we may safely say that May pos 
 sessed even in Frirdensthal some of that magic intoxication of 
 which the bards sing and which in Germany has earned it the name 
 of " \Yonnemonat," or " month of delight." But whether it was 
 its magic influence which fanned the tender flame burning in the 
 bosoms of our young friends, or the new-born love which lent this 
 month its mystic witchery, it cannot be denied that the mutual at 
 tachment developed at a marvelous rate, threatening to burst be 
 fore long the confines of the prison where it was born. Love 
 lurked in their eyes, crept from the points of their fingers, and set 
 hearts into such a tumultuous uproar that they resembled more the 
 gigantic forges in which steel is hammered than the unpretentious 
 and almost imperceptible organ sending lifeblood through our 
 veins. This constant hammering was, perhaps, the first intimation 
 which the young people received of the fact that there was some 
 thing the matter with them. And the first consciousness of this 
 fact drove wave after wave of burning glow into Inez s cheeks, 
 especially when she found herself suddenly and unexpectedly in 
 Arthur s presence. This glow was always sure to produce a reflec 
 tion on the face of the young man. The conversation which, at 
 first, had flowed as steadily and freely as the streamlets of the 
 valley now became fitful and, at times, threatened to come to a per 
 fect standstill. It is not in the nature of things that such state of 
 affairs should continue very long, and hardly had Arthur gained a 
 clear insight into the character of his feelings, when he told him-
 
 212 The Treasure of Monteznma. 
 
 self manliness demanded that he should make short work of it and 
 speak the word which would decide his fate. But to form a resolu 
 tion and to carry it into execution are two different things, and the 
 young man would have rather once more faced a grix/.ly than 
 stepped before this gentle creature and asked whether she would 
 have him. It is the opportunity which has accomplished most 
 heroic deeds, and it finally accomplished this one. 
 
 It was about the middle of May. Arthur s wound had fully 
 healed and his former strength had completely returned. His posi 
 tion was by no means a sinecure, and occasional absences from the 
 Villa were so frequent that the hours spent there in Inez s com 
 pany assumed a double charm. Best of all, however, Arthur en 
 joyed the rambles he would make in her company through the 
 neighboring h elds and forest. As they were necessarily short, the 
 pair went mostly on foot, Inez leaning on her companion s arm, 
 feeling a trust in his honor and confidence in his strength, blissful 
 in itself. On the particular afternoon of which we speak, the pair 
 took the direction of Carlos farm, little dreaming that by doing so 
 they would rouse feelings of the fiercest kind in a human breast. 
 Arthur had his botanizing box with him and, like busy bees they 
 flitted from flower to flower, to extract, not the honey, but the 
 various properties which might prove them to be useful in some 
 department of industry. In doing so they wandered from the road 
 and soon came to places where rocks and brambles called for the ex 
 ercise of their gymnastic skill. Then it was that, jumping from 
 rock to rock, Inez made a miscalculation and would have fallen if 
 Arthur, who stood between, had not caught her in his arms. The 
 impetus of the spring brought her close to his beating heart. He 
 felt her warm breath on his brow, and would have been more than 
 human if he had resisted the sudden impulse of clasping her to his 
 heart with a fervor, leaving no doubt of the nature of his feelings. 
 For a moment she felt like one stunned by the suddenness of the 
 demonstration ; then a deep blush spread over her face and she 
 made a feeble effort to extricate herself. In doing so, her eyes met 
 his, and she read in them such a tale of fondness and devotion that 
 her power of resistance vanished like the dewdrop before the burn 
 ing sun. Yielding to an irresistable impulse, she flung her arms 
 around his neck and, hiding her burning face on his shoulder, 
 whispered : "Dear Arthur."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 213 
 
 For a few moments the pair stood immovable, overpowered by 
 feelings both so novel and potent. Then a sudden thought seemed 
 to strike the girl, for she extricated herself with a strong effort and 
 spoke merely one word, but a powerful word, indeed, for it blanched 
 the cheek of the young man, and caused him to shrink back in 
 dismay. 
 
 " Bertha ! " was all she exclaimed. 
 
 It certainly staggered him for a moment, and created the sensa 
 tion as if cold water had been poured down his back ; but he was 
 not very long in regaining his composure. 
 
 "Never mind Bertha!" he exclaimed energetically ; "I did 
 not know what I was doing when I gave the promise to marry her. 
 It would be perjury to wed her with this new feeling in my heart; 
 she will listen to reason, and release me. Oh, Inez, how I love 
 you, and how happy the conciousness of your love makes me!" 
 He held her hands while speaking, and, shy though the remem 
 brance of his engagement to Bertha had made her, she did not find 
 it in her heart to withdraw them. 
 
 " Yes, Arthur," she said gently, " I do love you ; it would be 
 useless to deny it to you and to myself ; but while thus bound to 
 somebody else it would be wrong to allow these feelings free play. 
 Come, let us go home and confide our trouble to father. He will 
 tell us what is right, and to his decision I will submit without a 
 murmur." 
 
 A shadow passed over his features, but he obeyed and, re 
 linquishing her hands, said with a sigh : 
 
 " Be it as you wish Inez. I would not have it .said that you 
 surpassed me in fortitude ; but this I tell you ; all the Bertha s 
 in the world shall not succeed in forcing me to give you up." 
 
 Thus they turned their steps homeward, inexpressibly happy in 
 consciousness of their mutual love, and yet saddened by the unfor 
 tunate vow binding Arthur s hands. On reaching home, they went 
 directly to Herbert s office, where they found him reading some 
 official papers, submitted to his inspection. He saw at once that 
 something serious had happened, although he had failed to divine 
 the true nature of the trouble. 
 
 " Why, what is the matter, children ?" he inquired; "have 
 you been at a funeral, or has an old woman crossed your path ? "
 
 214 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " Neither, Papa," Inez said, throwing herself affectionately 
 into his arms ; " We have - Arthur has 
 
 "Has what?" he inquired: the truth beginning to dawn upon 
 him. 
 
 " Has told me that he loves me ;" she finished with a mighty 
 effort. 
 
 "Well, I do not see anything in that to cause such solemn 
 faces. Did you tell him you did not want him? " 
 
 " No father, I did not, for 1 love him dearly in return ; but - 
 
 " But what? I must confess I .see no great cause for misery in 
 these facts." 
 
 " But, Berth; 1 ," was all she could ejaculate. 
 
 "Oh, yes, I recollect," Herbert now exclaimed. "That is in 
 deed a serious obstacle in the way. I, for one, do not regard such 
 matters lightly, but the circumstances connected with this engage 
 ment are such as to make the avowal of his affection to you quite 
 excusable. lie would wrong Bertha deeply if, with such feelings 
 for you, he would offer her his hand in marriage." 
 
 Oh, I thank you, father, for thus coming to my aid," Arthur 
 exclaimed. 
 
 " No thanks, my boy. I must tell you that a union of you two 
 has always been a favorite idea of mine, and that Friend Stamm 
 really overstepped his authority in furthering a marriage with his 
 niece. He meant well, though, and, in consideration of the great 
 service he has rendered both you and me, we may readily overlook 
 this attempt to bridge a vexing dilemma. As to the girl, I think I 
 read her character plainly. It was money considerations which in 
 duced her to assent to the stipulation of the testament, and money 
 considerations will, no doubt, induce her tw release you. Fortu 
 nately Anton Stamm facilitated an arrangement by making the es 
 tate over to me, and I shall take without delay the necessary steps to 
 convey it back to her on condition that she releases you from your 
 obligation." 
 
 "Oh, father," the happy couple cried as with one voice, grasp 
 ing his hands and holding them affectionately. He looked fully as 
 happy as they, as he resumed : 
 
 "I am sorry to say that I do not entertain the very highest 
 opinion of this girl, who is certainly mercenary, if nothing worse:
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 215 
 
 I feel also pretty sure that she has lost her heart on this Philip, 
 and that any one giving her a clue to his whereabouts would secure 
 her everlasting gratitude." 
 
 " And we have your full sanction to our union, father ?" 
 Arthur exclaimed jubilantly. 
 
 " So much so," he replied with a happy smile ; " that if you 
 wish it I shall publish your betrothal in to-morrow s papers. You 
 remember that our laws demand such a step." 
 
 " Publish it to-night, father, publish it to-night," the young 
 man cried in ecstacies. Then drawing Inez towards her father s 
 knees, he said solemnly : "And now father give us your blessing." 
 
 Deeply moved, he laid his hands upon their heads and- then, 
 drawing them up, enclosed them in a fervent embrace. 
 
 "I have suffered much in my life," he said with tears in his 
 eyes ; "but this moment repays me richly for all. I trust that you 
 will be spared the sad experience of my youth." 
 
 The radiant happiness lighting up the faces of our young 
 friends, as they left the office, may perhaps be imagined, but less 
 easily described. The same thing may be said of the happy days 
 which followed. The announcement of their prospective union 
 gave universal satisfaction, excepting to the two brothers. It was 
 especially Arthur who, being more passionate and less given to self- 
 control, received it with fearful outbursts of passion, unobserved 
 by any witness, but none the less terrible on that account. He had 
 been trying for Aveeks to meet his cousin alone and at a place where 
 he could carry out unobserved his purpose of wreaking on him ven 
 geance for daring to obtain a prize denied to him ; and finally the 
 very success of his rival gave him the opportunity wished for. The 
 climax of happiness is apt to incline to solitude, to be alone with, 
 and revel in, our bliss. So, one day, Arthur undertook a solitary 
 ramble into the region which had witnessed the first avowal of his 
 passion. He loitered in the vicinity with the consciousness of so 
 great a happiness, and was at last on the point of wending his steps 
 homeward, when a figure arose before him with a suddenness most 
 startling. To heighten the effect of this unexpected apparition, 
 Arthur recognized in the person his relative who, to his painful 
 surprise, was under the influence of strong drink. There was, 
 moreover, an ugly gleam in his eyes, forbodiug little good, and the
 
 216 The Treasure of Monteznm<i. 
 
 young man thought it prudent, therefore, to step back a step and 
 thus avoid coming in contact with a man whose inebriated condi 
 tion filled him with mingled pity and aversion. The other mistook 
 this retrogressive movement for fear. 
 
 "Aha," he sneered, " the good little boy is scared. Well, 
 Sonny, you have good reason to be, for if I allow you to leave this 
 place alive, you will take with you so impressive a lesson that you 
 will remember for the remainder of your days the danger of med 
 dling in my affairs." 
 
 The pity which had at first filled the mind of our young friend 
 vanished with these Avords, giving way to unalloyed contempt. 
 
 "You are drunk," he said with undisguised disgust, "and 
 therefore not accountable for what you say. Step out of my way, 
 for I have not the slightest inclination to bandy words with you." 
 
 These words acted upon the bandit as the spark does upon a 
 cask of powder. Without a word in reply, he merely uttered a 
 howl of rage, and cast himself upon the other with a vehemence 
 which came well nigh upsetting him. He staggered and would 
 perhaps have fallen if the drunkenness of the aggressor had not 
 made the onset somewhat unsteady. This circumstance enabled him 
 to regain his balance. He saw at once that this would be a struggle 
 for life and that it would be necessary to husband his strength to 
 resist a violence made doubly dangerous by fury. He felt that his 
 adversary was more than commonly powerful and thanked his 
 lucky stars that he bad not been compelled to encounter him while 
 enfeebled by his wound. But he had not much time to think of 
 anything else but preparations for defense, for the enraged bandit 
 pressed him with a persistency requiring all his strength and skill 
 to parry. There was one circumstance in his favor, however. The 
 fury of the bandit increased with every second, for he saw that his 
 rival was not the weakling he had imagined, and that he would 
 have to try his very best to overpower him. Kage, however, 
 blinds and exhausts nt the same time, and soon the bandit gasped 
 for breath and the veins on his forehead stood out like whipcords. 
 He writhed and twisted with the most astonishing agility and 
 swiftness, and more than once the two combatants fell to the ground 
 and rolled over one another like a pair of serpeants ; but Arthur 
 always managed to disengage himself and regain his footing, to be
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 217 
 
 eoon once more entangled in a new onset of his foe. The fury of 
 the struggle forbade in itself its long continuance, and the bandit, 
 who probably foresaw his final defeat, forgot the compunctions of 
 honor of which he had boasted in a former soliloquy. With a 
 new howl of rage, he drew a huge dirk and made a savage lunge at 
 our friend, which the latter avoided only with difficulty by spring 
 ing aside. This treacherous trick, however, had the effect of rous 
 ing in turn his deepest indignation. Thus far he had contented 
 himself with acting on the defensive ; but the dastardly lunge with 
 the knife showed him plainly that his adversary deserved no indul 
 gence, and that a further consideration might endanger his own 
 life. So, rushing upon the bandit, he struck him a powerful blow 
 between the eyes, just as the latter was on the point of returning 
 to the attack with the dangerous weapon. This blow had the desired 
 effect as it was almost heavy enough to fell an ox, and did bring 
 the bandit to the ground as if he had been a mere log. There he 
 lay in utter unconsciousness while the victor bent over him, re 
 covering his breath and ready to prevent a re-opening of the battle, 
 if necessary. It was not. There the fellow lay like one dead, and 
 for a minute Arthur thought he had killed him. But on a closer 
 examination he found that he breathed and would soon recover 
 from his swoon. As a measure of precaution Arthur took the 
 knife from his clenched hand, and then calmly awaited his return 
 to consciousness. Nor had he long to wait. A minute later the 
 prostrate form gave decided signs of animation, and the bandit was 
 on the point of rising to a sitting posture when the bushes in the 
 neighborhood rustled and a new figure appeared on the scene. It 
 was Herbert, who uttered a cry of surprise when he saw the two 
 combatants, both of whom were pretty well battered, since Arthur 
 had not been able to withstand his powerful antagonist without be 
 coming badly bruised. 
 
 " What does this mean?" he cried ; then guessing the truth, he 
 added : Did he attack you ? 
 
 " Yes, father, he undertook to punish me for some imaginary 
 wrong he thought I had done him." 
 
 " And this knife ; he did not dare to draw it on you ? " 
 "That s what he did, and what compelled me to lay him out."
 
 218 Tlie Treasure of Jfontezuina. 
 
 " But this is outrageous, and must not be endured. I shall have 
 him arrested and placed in prison." 
 
 "But think of the scandal, father." 
 
 " Scandal or no scandal, I cannot allow this dangerous fellow 
 to go free and endanger the lives of my friends. He must leave 
 the valley, and that, too, without delay." 
 
 "But can we not accomplish that without creating a public- 
 scene ? " 
 
 " Well, I don t know ; perhaps we might, but I shall surely 
 place him under arrest." With this he blew a shrill whistle, and 
 a few minutes later Arthur saw three Indians stepping from the 
 bushes. 
 
 " Watch this fellow during the day," he said, pointing to the 
 bandit, who had by this time fully recovered his senses. "When 
 dusk has set in, bring him to the Villa ; without, however, creating 
 any disturbance or attracting the attention of the" public." 
 
 "What are you going to do to me uncle V" the bandit in 
 quired. 
 
 " By rights I ought to surrender you to the courts ; but I shall 
 content myself with banishing you from the valley, unless you 
 provoke me by further criminal attempts." 
 
 "You are not going to leave me here in the custody of these 
 savages, 1 hope ? " 
 
 " I surely shall. They are, however, not by far as savage as 
 you, and have never yet drawn a knife with murderous intentions 
 upon a fellow-being." 
 
 " So much the worse for them. There is so much vermin creep 
 ing about now-a-days that it would be a mercy to have it dispatched. 
 That fellow belongs to it, and I am very sorry that I did not suc 
 ceed in dispatching him." 
 
 " Come, Arthur," Herbert said with undisguised contempt ; " I 
 have no desire to listen longer to such billingsgate." 
 
 "Well, go," the prisoner sneered. "To-day I am in your 
 power ; but if ever you get into mine, you may rest assured that 
 you will fare worse." 
 
 Herbert and his young friend did not wait to hear any more, 
 but pushing aside the bushes, strode away with rapid steps. They 
 went first to Carlos 1 farm, where thev asked for water to wash off
 
 The TreaxiCi-e of Montezuma. 219 
 
 the blood which had coagulated on Arthur s face and then cleaned 
 his clothes to avoid the attention Avhich their soiled condition would 
 be sure to awake. Marguerite s sympathy was nearly as much ex 
 cited as her curiosity, which is saying a good deal. While lending 
 a hand in the restoration of the young man s toilet, she asked a 
 number of questions which, in spite of their eagerness, failed in 
 securing the desired information. 
 
 On arriving at the Villa, Arthur managed to reach his room 
 without being seen, or at least being closely inspected by any of 
 the servants. It would, of course, be impossible to hide the con 
 flict from Inez, who was very much shocked at the brutal conduct 
 of a person whom she, with repugnance, was compelled to call a 
 relative. A little after sunset the Indians brought in their captive, 
 who was taken to the station later in the evening and transported to 
 Lakeview, with the order to eject him unceremoniously from the 
 valley. When Huattle returned the next morning and reported 
 that the order had been punctually fulfilled, Herbert breathed 
 more freely, expressing his earnest hope of never seeing the un 
 welcome guest again. 
 
 The ejection of his brother was not officially communicated to 
 Philip ; but it is more than likely that he suspected it. Clara was 
 almost frantic with grief at the disappearance of her Arthur, and 
 well she might, for the time was not very far when she would no 
 longer be able to hide her intimacy with her betrayer, as she was 
 inclined to consider him. Carlos kept his counsel and did not be- 
 tray his intimacy with the bandit, which, however, was strongly 
 suspected by Herbert, although he had no idea of the criminality 
 of their former connection. Marguerita was the most crestfallen 
 of the family, and when her sister confided to her her precarious 
 condition, she was as ready to curse the seducer as she had been at 
 first to exalt him. Thus many a little undercurrent disturbed the 
 tranquility of our acquaintances. Only the young lovers sailed 
 peacefully along the stream of their new-born felicity, enjoying the 
 happiness peculiar to persons in their position, but apt to last even 
 with them only too short a season. Let us hope that our young 
 friends will be allowed to drain the cup of joy to the very dregs.
 
 220 The Treasure of Motitezuma. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 OFFICIAL JM TIKS. 
 
 We have learned that Arthur s duties were both numerous and 
 arduous ; but he took pleasure in fulfilling them, and soon intro 
 duced many valuable improvements. His first visit to Minersville, 
 where the gold and silver mines are situated, proved interesting in 
 the extreme. The former were located in the Pinaleno Mountains, 
 the latter in the Sierra Madre. The accumulation of water had 
 been a source of annoyance in both of them. Before his arrival 
 pumps of various devices had been used ; but, while they answered 
 the purpose temporarily, they did not effect a permanent cure of 
 the evil, and therefore failed to give entire satisfaction. Even the 
 improved pump which Arthur introduced failed to entirely remedy 
 the matter, and he therefore studied night and day to devise means 
 to cure the evil which, if not corrected, threatened to render the 
 mines unremunerative. In studying the geology of the neigh 
 borhood, he noticed that the strata dipped at an angle of about ten 
 degrees, not towards the valley, but parallel with the range, caus 
 ing the water to now in that direction. His predecessor had ordered 
 several artesian wells to be bored at the foot of the slope, several 
 hundred feet below the opening of the shaft, but this measure, 
 while affording partial relief, had not had the desired effect. Ar 
 thur at once saw the reason. The water vein had to be tapped 
 south of the shaft. Nor must the boring be done too near the 
 mine and very deep, in order to do any good. When Arthur com 
 municated his ideas to Herbert, the latter reflected awhile and then 
 remarked : 
 
 "That sounds plausible enough, but these deep wells cost a 
 good deal of money, and unless you are pretty sure that they will 
 answer the purpose, I am loath to make the venture. How many 
 do you think we need ?" 
 
 "At least half a do/en ; but one would suffice to show us how 
 they would work, and would therefore suffice for the venture. Be 
 sides I have perfected drills ami machinery which would do the 
 work doubly as quick and therefore doubly as cheap." 
 
 " Well, have your way," said Herbert, and Arthur was not
 
 The Treasure of Motittztt ma. 221 
 
 slow to benefit by the permission. When he ordered the drilling 
 to be commenced a mile southwest from the mines his subordinates 
 smiled at the folly of the young superintendent, but obeyed with 
 the readiness of men who will not be affected by the failure of the 
 experiment and who would like nothing better than to see the pre 
 sumptions of a young man, who knows everything better, properly 
 dampened. But when, at the depth of about four hundred feet, 
 the well began to spout at a great rate, and the water in the mine 
 ceased to rise, it was these very wiseacres who had forseen tl is re 
 sult, and would have applied the very same remedy if they had been 
 asked. The well fulfilled its mission so perfectly that there was no 
 necessity for drilling more than t^o additional ones, after the com 
 pletion of which the mine was perfectly dry. The water of the 
 wells was discharged into a natural depression and, running into the 
 river below, formed one more of the streamlets which constitute a 
 leading and charming feature of the valley. This success encour 
 aged Arthur in the proposition and subsequent execution of other 
 improvements, and he had not been three months in his new posi 
 tion before he became an undisputed authority in all affairs per 
 taining to his department. Meanwhile he continued to inform hiiu- 
 self in all other matters of public interest connected with the colony 
 of Friedensthal. Amongst other things the condition and manage 
 ment of the numerous factories elicited his warmest interest. Most 
 of them were based on the co-operative system, the workmen being 
 at the same time the stockholders. As many of them were not suf 
 ficiently well informed to learn the true condition of the establish 
 ment by an examination of the books, there was a public officer 
 appointed who, on demand of any stockholder, had the privilege 
 of investigating them for him. The men received weekly pay 
 ments large enough to meet their current expenses. The surplus 
 was paid them in the shape of dividends at the end of every &ix 
 months. Even in those establishments owned by individuals the 
 workingmen were allowed a reasonable share of the profits, and 
 the greater care and interest which this concession excited in them 
 richly indemnified the proprietor for his liberality. We have al 
 ready noticed that the greatest cheerfulness prevailed in all the 
 shops, and the steady application of the men as well as the large 
 .amount of work turned out, proved plainly that cheerfulness and
 
 222 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 hilarity by no means damage industry. Kight hours formed a 
 working day ; but there were numerous holidays which Herbert 
 took the greatest care to make profitable to his protege*. He had 
 spent much time, money and labor to prepare places suitable for the 
 holding of picnics and public festivals. Besides a number of parks 
 in the towns, there were places in the forests of both ranges where 
 halls, bowling-alleys, swings, shooting galleries and gymnastic ap 
 paratus of every description provided for the amusement of visit 
 ors of both sexes and all ages. Restaurants furnished the substan 
 tial comforts of life, and so well had the people of Friedensthal 
 learned to control their passions and appetites that quarrels and drunk 
 enness were entirely unknown at their festivals. Herbert, of 
 course, set them a good example. Unlike many other leading men, 
 he did rot deem it below his dignity to frequent the festivities of 
 the people, but made it a point to be present himself, and even 
 bring Ine/, who, by her cheerfulness, amiability and friendliness 
 did not a little to make her father s benevolent efforts successful. 
 Music and a pure and instructive stage were, as the reader knows, 
 two most powerful agencies for public ennoblement and improve 
 ment in Herbert s programme. When we contemplate the misera 
 ble trash now performed in most of our theaters, we cannot repress 
 the wish that a Herbert might arise among us, with the power to 
 sweep the entire rubbish of our modern stage literature into the 
 fire. We have many public spirited men, but strange to say, there 
 are but few amongst them who recogni/e or try to counteract the 
 sensational tendency of the age. Not only our physical but even 
 our intellectual food is seasoned so highly that it must necessarily 
 lead to the total derangement of our nervous system. Look at the 
 juvenile literature of the day. While our periodicals have made 
 marvelous strides in the direction of typographical improvement 
 they have greatly deteriorated in regard to intrinsic worth. Kxam- 
 ine the weekly papers devoted to the entertainment of our chil 
 dren, and you will find there stories as untrue to real life as 
 they are exciting ; or, as injudicious persons are pleased to call 
 them, interesting. We feel irresistably driven to curse such an in 
 terest. It leads to a misconception of life, a distaste for the simple, 
 natural and truly beautiful. In the interest of the growing genera 
 tion one might seriously wish the revival of a censorship which,
 
 The Treasure of Mbntezuma, 223 
 
 with a merciless hand, would train our juvenile literature to nature 
 and common sense. The publishers of these juvenile papers load 
 fearful responsibility upon themselves without heeding or caring 
 for this fact. You offer them a story with a moral, a story full of 
 the keenest but natural interest, though free from the false and 
 pernicious sensationalism of the age, and they will surely return 
 you the manuscript with the polite remark that the story does not 
 suit their paper, or rather purpose. Next, compile the silliest im 
 possibilities, heap hair-breadth escapes upon one another, paint 
 your pictures as untrue to life as possible, and, take our word for 
 it, on sending the nauseating mixture to the publisher, you will re. 
 ceive the most complimentary acknowledgments of your literary 
 ability, and the request to write henceforth exclusively for his 
 valuable (?) periodical. If that is not placing a premium upon medi 
 ocrity and unscrupulousness we do not know what is. The temp 
 tation for scribblers is certainly great, especially when backed by 
 want. And when they yield to it we ought to lay the blame 
 where it belongs, /. ?. at the door of unconscientious publisher. 
 
 The press of Friedensthal was, or rather is, perfectly free ; but 
 Herbert, who furnished the funds for this establishment, made the 
 stipulation that the proprietor should abstain from catering to the 
 vicious taste which revels in abuse, slander and vituperation, at 
 the risk of forfeiting the donation. Thus Friedensthal witnessed 
 the issue of three daily papers free from the slum disgracing so 
 many of our news papers. On closer inquiry, Arthur discovered 
 that almost all the capital invested in the enterprises of the valley 
 had been originally furnished by Herbert, at the low rate of inter 
 est mentioned at another place, but most of the money had been 
 paid back, and was held by the banks, not for speculation, but for 
 the purpose of assisting newcomers or older colonists who might 
 desire to embark in any legitimate business. 
 
 "But, how do you secure such loans, father? " Arthur inquired, 
 when he learned these facts. "The land does not belong to the 
 parties, and I do not see how they can give very efficient security." 
 
 "They own the improvements, Arthur, which we compell them 
 to insure against fire for half their real value in our, i. e. in the 
 community s favor. There is not much danger, however, for thus 
 far we have not had a single failure in the valley, and do not ap-
 
 224 The Ti ct(>sure of Montesuma. 
 
 preliend any in the future, as all our institutions are based upon 
 equity and justice and an exorbitant interest is not eating out the 
 vitals of our shops and factories. I would have donated the 
 suras needed for the development of our resources, if I had not been 
 taught by experience that such donotions are not judicious and, on 
 the other hand, did not consider myself the mere steward of the 
 riches which fortune has showered upon me and which I only hold 
 and use for the general good." 
 
 "As you mention the matter yourself , father; would it be in 
 discrete to ask you how you were so fortunate as to secure such 
 treasures? " 
 
 "Not at all, Arthur. You are my worthy assistant, and will 
 probably be my successor in my schemes, and it is therefore, not 
 more than right that you should have a clear insight into everything 
 connected with my operations. You know already," he resumed 
 after a short pause, " that I participated in the revolution of 48, 
 was captured, courtmartialed and sentenced to be shot. I had 
 been induced by the purest motives to join in the hazardous enter 
 prise and did not complain much of treatment which, from their 
 stand-point, was probably consistent enough ; but I was betrothed 
 to an excellent young lady, and for her sake I would have liked to. 
 live. When, therefore, on the eve of my execution, an old servant 
 managed to reach me through a secret passage of the castle where I 
 was confined, I eagerly grasped at the opportunity of escape thus 
 unexpectedly offered to me. Little did I dream at that moment 
 that my rescue would furnish a fiend in human shape an opportun 
 ity to wreck the happiness of two lives, else I would have scorned 
 the thought of hjght. Let me pass rapidly over the wretched years 
 that followed. First, I was led to believe by circumstances that Laura 
 Stamm had been faithless to me, blinded by the brilliant prospects 
 of the man she married. The king had rewarded his loyalty by 
 granting to him my "confiscated property, and he rose from office to 
 office. A weak woman might well be suspected of yielding to such 
 a temptation, but this imaginary fickleness made a misanthrope 
 of me and drove me into the wilderness, there to avoid the sight 
 of man. It was only six years later, on the occasion of the visit to 
 Germany known to you, that I learned how I had wronged Laura, 
 and that she had sacrificed her life and, what was more, her happi-
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 225 
 
 ness for me. I shall not dwell upon this discovery, but you may 
 well imagine how I hated a race which entertained such a monster 
 as this Arnold amongst its members. Let me proceed with my 
 narrative. Listlessly I wandered from place to place, shuning, as 
 much as possible, the habitations of man. Mexico suited me better 
 than any other country, for theYe the populace is thinly scattered 
 and I could spend months without seeing a member of the hated 
 race. On my wanderings I met occasionally the fragments of the 
 Indian race which, at one time, had densely peopled these plains and 
 mountains. Against them T bore no grudge ; on the contrary I 
 pitied them as victims of the same false civilization, which had de 
 stroyed my happiness. Gradually I became more acquainted with 
 them, and descovered so many noble traits under their red skin 
 that I learned to love and respect them. I spent most of my time 
 in their midst and when, about the beginning of 51, the small 
 pox made its appearance among my new friends and threat 
 ened to exterminite them, I u.-ed ;ill the medical skill at my com 
 mand to save them. I was marvi lously successful, for, though a 
 few fell victims to the scourge, I managed to snatch the great ma 
 jority from the jaws of a dreadful death. You have no idea of 
 the gratitude of these poor people. It was, indeed, entirely out of 
 proportion to the service I had been fortunate enough to render them. 
 One day they led me through a subterranean passage into this beau 
 tiful valley and begged me to accept it as a token of their gratitude, 
 for to these people these fair regions belonged, if the soil can at all 
 be said to belong to the children of men. Next they led me into a 
 cave where the unfortunate Montezuma had hidden his treasures 
 from Cortez and his greedy followers, preferring to die bravely 
 under slow torture to divulging a secret so coveted by his foes- 
 There his treasures lay, but I had no desire for the precious metal 
 piled up there in huge heaps ; no desire for the kind offer of my 
 red friends to consider myself the proprietor of all this wealth ; but 
 I accepted their invitation to live with them in this beautiful Eden, 
 whose chief charm in my eyes was its remoteness from human 
 habitations. The nobleness of these Red men had gradually soft 
 ened my feelings ; but it was quite awhile before 1 conceived the 
 plan of founding here an asylum where justice and brotherly love 
 form the corner stones and whence an aggressive warfare might 
 henceforth be carried on against the foes of the human race." 
 
 15
 
 226 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " And his treasure is still in existence ? " 
 
 " Not in its original shape. I had to spend five millions in the 
 purchase of this valley, for the Government of Mexico would not, 
 of course, recognize the claims of the poor indians, the original and 
 rightful owners. The rest I invested in so-called good securities, 
 for, though opposed to high interest, which grinds the marrow from 
 the bones of the people, i knew that the greatest treasure would 
 melt under the drafts which my plans would force me to make 
 upon it, and that 1 could only hope to battle with the foes of man 
 kind by frightening them with their own weapons. So I bought 
 land in local cities where it has since doubled its value. I hold 
 Government bonds and am, in the common sense of the term, a 
 rich man. I myself, however, do not consider myself so. In a few 
 months I shall divest myself of this beautiful valley, for fear that 
 some unforeseen obstacle might prevent me from doing so later. 
 The colonies in the old world I shall dispose of in the same manner ; 
 the funds invested in various places, I shall put in such a shape as 
 to secure them forever to the purposes for which I intend them. If 
 to-morrow is a fair day I shall take you to the cave where Monte- 
 y.uma s teasure was once deposited and, what is more, I shall invite 
 Philip to accompany us. He is exceedingly anxious to learn all 
 about it, and when he sees the vault empty, he may quicken his 
 departure ; a step which would please me very much, as I do not 
 appreciate his company and dislike to show a friendliness which I 
 do not feel." 
 
 Philip was greatly surprised on the following day at his uncle s 
 suggestion, to accompany him and Arthur to the vault of Monte- 
 zuma, though he took good care not to betray the satisfaction which 
 the proposal gave him. Inez also joined the party. To her the 
 sight was nothing new and it was more for the sake of company, 
 she said, than anything else that she went along. Herbert led the 
 way. The party took the street cars and, on the arrival at the depot, 
 boarded the morning train for the south. At Enterprise they left 
 the train to board the caboose of a freight train which proceeded 
 on a separate track, cutting the valley diagonally and rising gradu 
 ally until it had ascended the slope of the Pinaleno range to the 
 heighth of about a hundred feet. Then it resumed its original di 
 rection, running along the mountain side, crossing numerous ravines
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 227 
 
 on solid bridges, and finally halting at a depot about three miles 
 west of Lakeview, which place could be easily discerned. Here 
 Herbert invited his companions to alight. Providing himself with 
 a lighted lantern, he led the way up a steep and narrow ravine, at 
 the end of which an opening in the rocks indicated the existence of 
 a cave. Herbert entered the aperture, leading the others along a 
 rough and even difficult passage until suddenly the cave came to 
 an end. Arthur and Philip looked expectantly, but Herbert 
 merely said : 
 
 " We are at the entrance can you tell me where it is ? " 
 
 " Philip looked around, but confessed that he failed to discover 
 any trace of an entrance or a gate closing it. Nor was Arthur 
 more successful as far as his eyes were concerned ; but he refused 
 to give up, and began to pound the rocky ledge carefully Avith his 
 cane. At one place the sound was much more hollow than at the 
 others and he said confidently : " The entrance must be here." 
 
 " I call that cleverly done," said Herbert; "You have really 
 discovered it. This, however, is not the original entrance, whose 
 obstacles were so great as to require both courage and strength to 
 overcome them. Powder has greatly facilitated our visit." 
 
 With this he drew a key from his pocket and inserting it in a 
 hole which had escaped their observation, unlocked and opened a 
 ponderous door so ingeniously fitted into the rock as to escape even 
 the closest scrutiny. A moist, clammy air came from the opening, 
 showing that the cave was but rarely visited. Herbert once more 
 led the way, which was sufficiently rough to tax any thin-soled 
 shoes the visitor might Avear, but presenting nothing in the shape 
 of danger. After proceeding about a hundred steps, the passage 
 came once more to an end, and a second door had to be opened be 
 fore they could continue their march. The impediment being re 
 moved, the party entered an apartment of moderate size which 
 involuntarily drew from the young men an exclamation of surprise 
 and delight. The light of the lantern was reflected a thousandfold 
 from the ceiling and walls, which Arthur, on a closer examination, 
 found to consist of myriads of quartz crystals. It was truly a scene 
 from the Arabian Nights, only that these crystals were of no value 
 whatever. 
 
 " A fit place for a treasure," said Philip. " After this glorious
 
 228 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 introduction, uncle, we have the right to expect something wonder* 
 ful." 
 
 "Then, you will have to draw on your imagination, Philip," 
 for the treasure itself has taken wings and assumed the shape of 
 roads and bridges and acqueducts ; in short, all the works of human 
 ingenuity which you perceive in Friedensthal." 
 
 "Then this is a sell, uncle," Philip remarked, who had to 
 summon all his self-control not to show his disappointment. 
 
 "Not exactly, at least not an intentional one, for I merely 
 promised to show you the place where Montezuma s treasures were 
 once kept. We live in too practical an age to allow it to retain 
 such an unprofitable shape. Don t you think its present form is by 
 far more comely and profitable ? " 
 
 " I cannot deny the force of your remarks ; but I should think 
 it would have been proper to preserve at least a few specimens of 
 Aztec art." 
 
 " I thought like you, Philip," Herbert remarked dryly ; "and 
 if you will call at my office to-morrow I can show you some very 
 fine specimens of Aztec art. Now, my friends if you are through 
 with the inspection of the vault, I shall lead you hence and show 
 you a few of the things into which this musty treasure has been 
 changed. If not very romantic, they are at least exceedingly 
 practicle, and have greatly increased the comforts of every day 
 life, a circumstance not to be at all despised, void of romance 
 though it may be." 
 
 He led the way from the cave and, on their arrival at the sta 
 tion, invited his companions to get with him into the cab of the 
 locomotive, which they had scarcely reached, when it gave a snort 
 and steamed with its passengers to the end of the road, which was 
 about three miles further southwest. The terminus was a wide and 
 high tunnel, with apparently no opening at the far end, making the 
 lantern once more desirable if not necessary." 
 
 " Is everything safe, Conrad?" Herbert inquired of one of the 
 railroad officials. 
 
 " Yes sir, the coast is clear, no human being to be seen far or 
 near." 
 
 " Verv well ; please open the gates then. 
 
 The man obeyed and, turning a lever, set some machinery in
 
 77if Treasure <>f Montczuintt. 
 
 motion. The wall opened, and two ponderous gates began to swing 
 inwardly, whose outer surfaces resembled the neighboring rocks. 
 The rails reached to the very edge of the cliff and, on looking out, 
 Arthur perceived that the ledge descended about sixty or seventy 
 feet to a river bound by gigantic cliffs on both sides. The one 
 from which he ga/ed receded below, causing the upper edge to pro 
 ject at least ten feet over the lower. At the end the rails were bent 
 upward and, to make them still more secure, heavy iron posts were 
 bedded in the solid rock. While still ga/ing he heard a rumbling 
 noise behind him and. looking back, noticed a ponderous crane on 
 wheels approaching the edge. He stepped aside to make way for the 
 monster, which had no sooner ceased to rumble, than Herbert said : 
 
 " Here, my friends, you see the giant which mediates our inter 
 course with the world. Plow strange and different are the things 
 it has lifted into our valley ! To-day it was a horse or a cow ; to 
 morrow, a piano or an organ. All the first rails for our railway it 
 has lifted up this cliff and, what is more, also the first locomotive, 
 of course, not as a whole, but in parts and pieces." 
 
 " But you must have begun in a simpler way than that, father. 
 
 "80 we did, Arthur, so we did. The first goods were either 
 hoisted here with a simple pulley or transported on the back of 
 mules to the waterfalls, to be transferred to the shoulders of two- 
 legged beasts of burden." 
 
 " You must have had a hard time of it, father? " 
 
 11 We were not quite so comfortably fixed as now, that is a fact, 
 Arthur, but our life resembled that of Robinson Crusoe, which 
 must surely have had its charms, or it would not have been de 
 voured by every boy in creation." 
 
 " It must have been delightful on paper," said Philip, with a 
 shrug ; " I, for my part, prefer eating berries to picking them." 
 
 " A short but masterly way of expressing egotism," suggested 
 Herbert. 
 
 "A weakness to which I confess," Philip replied coolly. 
 
 " Perhaps it would crop out without such confession." 
 
 " Well, perhaps it would. If equality of men signifies an equal 
 obligation of bearing burdens, I, for one, renounce my claim to it." 
 
 The others knew the speaker too well to doubt the sincerity of 
 these words ; nevertheless the undisguised cynicism jarred un pleas-
 
 230 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 antly upon their feelings, and they were glad when Herbert gave 
 the signal for departure. The locomotive took them back to En 
 terprise, which place they reached just in time for the noon train 
 for Montezuma. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 AN INVASION". 
 
 August had set in. One more month and the great day would 
 break on which the people of Friedensthal would commence their 
 career of independence. Not that they were very anxious for such 
 an event ; because they had been so happy and prosperous under 
 the benevolent rule of Father Herbert that they did not wish for 
 and, in fact, did not need a change. If despots were perfect, des 
 potism would be the better form of government, for it would allow 
 unity of action which democracy rarely shows ; but unfortunately 
 despotism is so apt to corrupt the despot himself that the son is 
 very apt to be a Nero while the father was a Turk. Herbert knew 
 this, and had, therefore, from the beginning given his people a 
 share in the government, judging that it takes much time to become 
 expert in this, the most difficult of all sciences. 
 
 Arthur had, meanwhile, gained a more perfect insight into 
 Herbert s plans, and the more he saw of them the more he admired 
 them. They did not merely embrace the present hour, but were 
 calculated to embrace the distant future of his proteges. The in 
 vestments in the various countries were so judiciously made as 
 to secure not only the means of executing his gigantic plans, 
 but result in the permanent and continuous advancement of his 
 philanthropic ideas. He owned, for instance, large tracts in the 
 upper parts of New York City, which had risen to the value of 
 many millions, but could never be held in fee simple by anybody. 
 They were to be leased on the payment of a ground rent, the 
 amount of which was to be determined every ten years by trustees 
 elected by and consisting of the occupants themselves, and could
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 231 
 
 never rise above two per cent of the actual value. The income thus 
 realized was to be spent in paying the taxes imposed by the muni 
 cipal authorities, and the surplus, if such there should be, be de 
 voted to the establishment of new or the furtherance of existing 
 corporations of a like character. Pure charity was strictly forbid 
 den, for Herbert held, as the reader knows, that charity degrades 
 the receiver, and would not exist if justice were properly adminis 
 tered to all. 
 
 Similar donations had been made in the large cities of the 
 old world, and where the despotic laws of the State prevented 
 them, provision had been made which tended to the erection of 
 such institutions in the future. 
 
 It may be imagined that the execution of these gigantic plans 
 required a great deal of labor. Herbert employed a number of 
 clerks who had to write his numerous letters and, when done, sub 
 mit them to his inspection and for signature. 
 
 But there were confidential letters which Herbert did not wish 
 to have exposed to the gaze of these clerks, and in the writing of 
 them Arthur soon rendered invaluable service. He was astonished 
 to see that Herbert s correspondents included some of the leading 
 statesmen of both the Old and New World, and that many of 
 them were actually in his employ, giving him valuable informa 
 tion, and in this way aiding him, probably much against their 
 views and inclinations. Arthur discovered on more than one occa 
 sion Herbert s hand in the consummation of political transactions 
 which the public , ascribed to different agencies, and which the 
 young man now, for the first time, saw in their true light. Never 
 before had he understood the immense power which great wealth 
 wields, and became daily a more ardent adherent to Herbert s 
 theory that millionaires are too potent factors in our social fabric to 
 be endured. Occasionally a millionaire may use his money and in 
 fluence for the benefit of the world, but such cases are exceptions 
 too rare to remove the great danger to the race arising from the 
 rest. It would be pleasure of the purest kind to fill page after 
 page with a detailed description of all the noble work which these 
 men performed day after day, to chronicle their sayings and watch 
 their recreations, which were very often another form of their ex 
 ertions for the good of the human race ; but our space is limited, and
 
 232 The Treasure of Montezumu, 
 
 we are forced to turn our attention to developments far less calcu 
 lated to inspire to noble thoughts and actions, but too deeply 
 fraught with influence upon the destiny of our friends to be neg 
 lected or omitted in our narrative. 
 
 It was the night of the first of September. The ebb of the 
 Rio Frio reaches its lowest point about three o clock in the morn 
 ing, and it was about that hour that a close observer could have 
 seen many dusky forms marching with stealthy steps along the nar 
 row ledge which, as the reader knows, is only accessible at that 
 time. 
 
 It is difficult to recognize the character of these nightly travel 
 ers, but the silence with which they proceed causes us to look with 
 suspicion upon their intentions. Nor is it easy to calculate their 
 number, but we feel sure that it can scarcely fall short of four 
 hundred. The leader seemed to be familiar with the character of 
 the defile, for, in spite of the darkness reigning between the high 
 cliffs, he proceeded with great certainty, and only stopped when 
 the distant falling of water struck his ear. Turning to the nearest 
 of his followers, he said : 
 
 " Now be sure to obey strictly the orders I have given you. I 
 shall post you on both sides of the falls, and on my signal you rush 
 to my assistance and dispatch the red devils, if they offer the least 
 resistance. If you can take them prisoners, however, without too 
 much risk to yourselves, do so. The governor sets great store on 
 them, and if our enterprise should miscarry, which I don t fear, we 
 shall have some valuable hostages in them. Now, forward, and 
 not a whisper, mind you, for these fellows have ears as acute as the 
 owl." 
 
 On they went until they reached the place where the water 
 tumbles down the rock. Here the leader posted his men by mo 
 tions, words being too likely to attract the attention of the Indian 
 guard. There were about twelve on each side and fifty a little far 
 ther back, ready to rush to the assistance of their comrades at the 
 first signal. When these preparations were completed the leader 
 stepped forward to attempt a stroke which he knew to be connected 
 with considerable risk. If the Indians recognized him as the per 
 son whom they had so recently ejected from the valley, with the 
 definite order to prevent his return at all hazards, they were likely
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 233 
 
 to execute this order without regard to consequences, and the pos 
 sibility that he might receive a fatal stab or blow before the others 
 could come to the rescue was by no means small. But the man, 
 in whom the reader has probably recognized the bandit, was not 
 the person to shrink from trifles, and the thought of the possibility 
 of a fatal termination of the coining struggle drew merely a. shrug 
 of the shoulders from him. He had taken care to disguise his 
 identity as well as possible, and had good reason for believing that 
 the intense darkness of the night would help him in deceiving the 
 guard sufficiently to enable his companions to come to his assist 
 ance. The principal danger lay in his voice, and if he could 
 manage to disguise that, he had grounds for hoping that his scheme 
 would succeed. He wore the garb of a sailor, a disguise probably 
 connected with his scheme, as those of his comrades near him, were 
 clad in the same attire. Nerving himself to the task, he turned 
 the lever, and then rapidly ascended the cliff, caring little for the 
 spray which drenched him completely. By this manoeuvre he 
 brought it about to stand very near the gates as they swung back. 
 
 " Good morning mates," he said, imitating the manner of Jack 
 Tar in an admirable manner; "we are the crew of the Dolphin 
 which got wrecked on the coast last night. We came as near drown 
 ing as anybody I ever saw. Come, mates, hurry up ; if you are 
 as hungry and tired as I am, you ll hurry your shins, I bet." 
 
 Those below did not wait for the permission of the guard, but 
 climbed the rocks with an agility which would have done credit to 
 real tars, and soon stood at the side of the leader who no sooner 
 saw himself thus reinforced than he uttered a shrill shout and cast 
 himself upon the nearest indian, bearing him to the ground. His 
 comrades followed his example, and so complete had been the sur 
 prise of the guard that all of them had been securely bound before 
 they comprehended the situation. It may be said in their excuse 
 that they had guarded this entrance twenty-five years without 
 being compelled to resort to force. In their estimation the will of 
 Father Herbert was so absolute that the very idea of resistance to 
 him refused to enter their brains. Moreover, the steamer Dolphin 
 was nearly due, and their natural pity for the shipwrecked sailors 
 had for once lulled their senses into false security, and made possi 
 ble a scheme by this diabolical appeal to their sympathy. They
 
 234 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 bore their capture with the outward stoicism of the red man : but 
 inwardly they burned with shame at having thus been outwitted, 
 and grieved deeply at the peril into which their negligence had 
 plunged Herbert and with him the entire settlement. 
 
 While they thus brooded over their defeat, Arthur was busily 
 engaged in perfecting the measures which were to put him in com 
 plete possession of the valley. Leaving a strong detachment to 
 guard the entrance and the prisoners, he led the rest by the light 
 of a couple of lanterns through the subterranean passage, and 
 after reaching the inside, marched them to Lakeview, which slept 
 in such complete security that its inhabitants would not trust their 
 senses, when, on awakening, they found the village in possession of 
 a hostile troop. A double line of pickets shut off all access to the 
 rest of the valley, and the poor inhabitants of Lakeview could do 
 nothing but submit with a bewildered resignation to their fate. On 
 the whole the invaders behaved with propriety and moderation. 
 True, they made the villagers supply them with the very best 
 which pantry and cellar could furnish, and made sad havoc with 
 the stores of wine in their possession ; but they abstained from in 
 sulting the people, probably warned by their leader to postpone 
 such pastime to a more favorable opportunity. 
 
 The telegraph operator of Lakeview was that morning awakened 
 in rather an unceremonious and startling manner. A rough hand 
 shook him, and when he drowsily opened his eyes and inquired in a 
 vexed manner what was the matter, his visitor pointed a revolver 
 at him and informed him that he was wanted at the station and had 
 better hurry, unless he wanted an ounce of lead in his brains. 
 This, of course, was not the case ; so the operator dressed himself 
 in a confused manner and followed his rough captor to the station 
 where he was ordered to telegraph as follows : 
 
 " LAKEVIEW, September 2d, 
 
 Herbert Grau : The boiler of the locomotive of the morning 
 passenger train bursted while being fired, killing and wounding a 
 number of persons. Please come down at your earliest conven 
 ience." 
 
 " Now, what is your name ?" the fellow with the revolver in 
 quired.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 235 
 
 " My name is Karl Stahl ; but there is no truth in this, and if 
 I telegraph as you say, I shall lose my situation." 
 
 " And if you don t you ll lose your life. So, please choose, but 
 be quick, for I have no time to waste." 
 
 " But. who are you, sir, to carry on here in this way ? " 
 
 " I might reply, that is none of your business, and not tell a 
 lie ; but I will condescend to tell you that I am in command of 
 Government troops which have been sent here to lift the good-for- 
 nothing gang carrying on here, and if you love your precious car 
 cass you will obey promptly and cheerfully." 
 
 The operator obeyed, but his manner was so dubious that his 
 customer felt induced to say : 
 
 "No monkey shines, young man. Remember, you will remain 
 our prisoner while we wait the result of our telegram, and if it 
 turns out to differ an iota from my dictation, I will surely shoot you 
 like a dog." 
 
 This was an ugly threat, and the speaker looked so much like 
 executing it without compunction that the operator did not dare to 
 disobey him and telegraphed as directed, signing the telegram with 
 his name. 
 
 It was about five o clock Avhen the dispatch was sent. Under 
 the most favorable circumstances a train from Montezuma could 
 not reach Lakeview much before seven, and the bandit had there 
 fore sufficient time to make preparations for the reception of the 
 expected visitors. In the most favorable case Herbert would come 
 alone on a locomotive, with perhaps a single car attached. In such 
 a case he could be easily captured. Perhaps, however, he might 
 wait for the morning train which would not reach Lakeview before 
 nine. In this case the bandit would have to cope with the whole 
 train ; but as its crew and passengers could not harbor the slightest 
 suspicion, they would be unarmed and offer little or no resistance. 
 Arthur felt pretty sure that his plan would succeed, and chuckled 
 in anticipation of the moment which would deliver his relative as 
 a prisoner into his hands. All that was necessary was to keep the 
 strictest watch on the movements of the villagers, to prevent them 
 from sending any warning to the threatened party. A complete 
 line of pickets had been drawn north of the village, and the inhabi 
 tants had been warned not to pass it, on pain of instant death.
 
 236 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 At half past five an answer to the dispatch was received. It 
 read : 
 
 " I shall be there at quarter to seven. 
 
 HERBERT GRAU." 
 
 A maglignant smile lit up the features of the bandit. " I have 
 you now," he said with a fiendish chuckle, "and will show you 
 what it means to thwart my purposes. I shall take your cranky 
 notions out of you, depend upon it." 
 
 Minute followed upon minute, and when the clock of the station 
 pointed to a quarter of seven, a deathlike silence reigned over 
 Lakeview. The freebooters watched with eager expectancy for 
 their prey, while the villagers trembled for the safety of the man 
 who had been a father to them, and whose institutions would prob 
 ably fall with him. Now the dull rumbling of a locomotive be 
 came audible in the distance, and, a few minutes later, it becomes 
 visible. Will this villainy really become consummated? On the 
 locomotive comes. It is now no further than a quarter of a mile 
 from the line of pickets, and nothing seems more certain than the 
 capture of Herbert, when lo, a dusky form rises on the track as if 
 by magic, and, raising a hand in warning, remains standing on the 
 track, unmindful of the fact that the locomotive is approaching at 
 a great speed, and can hardly stop before reaching the immovable 
 figure. Fortunately Herbert is on the watch, and he has recog 
 nized one of his Indians in the person making the signal, 
 and, knowing that they never act without good reasons, he 
 orders the lever to .be reversed and then strains his eyes to see 
 whether he can discover the reason for this warning. The speed of 
 the locomotive slackens, but it is not more than a few feet from the 
 Indian when it stops. Now the fugitive moves. Hprioging rapidly 
 into the cab, he cries : 
 
 " Back, if you love your life ! " 
 
 He need not explain the reason for his warning, for the pro 
 found silence in the village now gives place to a scene of the wild 
 est nproor. The bandit sees that his scheme has failed, and that 
 his prey will escape him unless he can secure it at the last moment 
 in the confusion which the warning of the Indian must necessarily 
 create on board the locomotive. With a shout he springs from his 
 cover and runs with the agility of a deer along the track, followed
 
 The Treasure of Montezu ma. 237 
 
 by a large number of his comrades. All are armed with revolvers, 
 and if the party in the cab tarry much longer they will surely be 
 within reach of the enemy s bullets. Herbert does not understand 
 it, but he sees that there is something wrong and that it will not do 
 to await further explanations at this time. So he orders the engi 
 neer to turn on steam and run back to a safe distance. 
 
 It is indeed time. The foremost runners were not more than 
 fifty yards away, and when they saw the locomotive beginng its 
 backward course, they commenced firing from a dozen revolvers at 
 the same time. The bullets came thick and fast, and more than one 
 struck the cab or whistled by in close proximity to their heads. It 
 was fortunate for them that the rapid motion of the pursuers pre 
 vented them from taking accurate aim, and when they stopped and 
 fired with great effect, the locomotive had considerably increased 
 its speed, and its crew had taken shelter behind the walls of the 
 cab. After a few minutes Arthur perceived the uselessness of 
 further pursuit, and ordered his men to fall back to the village. 
 The coup on which he had based such great hopes had signally 
 failed. He knew Herbert too well to imagine that he would be al 
 lowed much time for deliberation, and that he would have to pre 
 pare rapidly for defense in case he meditated resistance to the ef 
 forts for dislodging him, which the next days, if not hours, were 
 sure to bring. If he had consulted his common sense he would 
 have comprehended that he could accomplish little or nothing with 
 his handful of men against such a powerful colony as Friedensthal. 
 The capture of Herbert might perhaps have changed the aspect of 
 affairs, and given him a chance for extorting from the colonists a 
 heavy ransom, if not more ; but a little reflection would have 
 shown him that, after the failure of this attempt, an immediate re 
 treat would be his best policy. Arthur had been drinking hard the 
 last few days, and it is probable that the fumes of rum prevented 
 him from seeing the situation in its true light. Perhaps the fear of 
 arousing the indignation of his followers by a step so contrary to 
 the expectations he had aroused in them, induced him to disregard 
 the dictates of prudence ; at all events he remained for the present in 
 Lakeview and took measures to make his position as strong as pos 
 sible. 
 
 We leave him thus engaged and join the party on the engine
 
 238 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 which, by this time, had materially increased their distance from 
 the invading force. Then, for the first time, Herbert turned to the 
 Indian, in whom we recogni/e our friend Huatle, and said : 
 
 " Well, Huattle, what does this all mean? How am I to ac 
 count for the appearance of this hostile force in the valley? What 
 has become of thy friends and comrades ? " 
 
 "They are prisoners in the hands of Arthur." 
 
 " So it is my graceless nephew who has played me this trick ? 
 I recognized him in spite of his disguise. Do you know how this 
 thing happened ? " 
 
 On this Huatle told him that Philip, whom he had been in 
 structed to watch, had of late made so many trips to Lakeview and 
 taken such a deep interest in the defenses of the entrance to the 
 valley that he had deemed it prudent to make that neighborhood 
 his abode for awhile. 
 
 He had passed the last night in the village, and <m his waking 
 had found it in possession of the enemy. The line of pickets had 
 cut off all chances for an open departure, and he had therefore 
 been compelled to resort to stratagem. This had taken much time, 
 and he had been obliged to creep into the lake and wa<le with his 
 body under water excepting his head to the place where he had in 
 tercepted the locomotive. He had evaded the watchfulness of the 
 guards by tying a bundle of reeds to his head and proceeded so 
 slowly that the tuft appeared to be stationary. After passing the 
 line he had managed to proceed a little faster, but, as the reader 
 knows, none too quick to save Herbert from capture. 
 
 "Our guards must have been asleep," the engineer said indig 
 nantly. 
 
 " Don t be too quick to condemn my friend," Herbert warned 
 him. " Do you know in which way they gained admittance ?" 
 
 " Huatle thinks from what he heard that they pretended to be 
 sailors from the Dolphin which, they represented, was wrecked 
 on the coast." 
 
 " A scheme worthy the brain of this villain. The fact is, our 
 long freedom from annoyance had made the guard, and, indeed, all 
 of us feel so secure that we did not believe such a trick possible. 
 But here is Enterprise ; stop the locomotive." 
 
 " It may be easily imagined how the invasion and the narrow
 
 The Treasure of Montezumd. 239 
 
 escape of Herbert affected the people of the town. At first they 
 were as bewildered as those of Lakeview ; but the presence of Her 
 bert soon brought order out of chaos. It was then that his institu 
 tions proved their efficacy and stability. All the male citizens be 
 tween twenty-one and thirty-five had been formed into military 
 companies, numbering in all six thousand strong and well -drilled 
 men. Herbert had never taken such pleasure and interest in the 
 military pastime in which so many persons indulge ; but he knew too 
 well the many foes with which he had to contend to neglect the or 
 ganization of a force capable of repelling an armed invasion, if 
 such should be attempted, and this force now came very opportune. 
 Telegrams were at once dispatched to all the settlements of the val 
 ley, informing the people of the astounding news and ordering the 
 immediate mustering and dispatch of the militia. Arthur was also 
 summoned to come to Enterprise, and the mayor of Montezuma 
 was instructed to forward without delay the battery stored in the 
 armory of the city. 
 
 When che necessary measures had been taken Herbert applied 
 himself to the gathering of the militia available in the neighbor 
 hood. Mounted messengers were sent to the various farmers with 
 orders to report at Enterprise, and before the expiration of an 
 hour the place looked more like a military camp than a place de 
 voted to industry. At ten o clock the morning train, which had 
 been retarded a full hour, brought Arthur and Inez, with many 
 prominent persons and such volunteers as could get ready on so 
 short a notice. The reunion of the family of the Villa Avas neces 
 sarily an affecting one. Inez flew into her father s arms greatly ex 
 cited over the imminent peril to which he had been exposed. 
 
 Arthur was also considerably agitated, but with him indignation 
 greatly prevailed, and he vowed to himself that he would not let 
 this dangerous fellow off quite so easy, if he happened to fall into 
 his hands a second time. He had not much time to think, how 
 ever, for his advice was asked in the council discussing the best 
 mode of getting rid of the freebooters, for as such everybody con 
 sidered the invaders. No definite plan was then adopted, for it was 
 not before dusk that all the troops of the valley and the battery 
 had arrived. The town was not able to accommodate so many men ; 
 but there were tents in sufficient numbers to lodge them. Arthur
 
 240 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 had served in Germany as a volunteer, and rendered valuable 
 assistance in quartering and provisioning the men. When the 
 council met once more several plans were submitted, but none of 
 them entirely met with Herbert s approval. One of them suggested 
 the storming of Lakeview, a proceeding which would probably 
 have answered the purpose, but was rejected by Herbert as involv 
 ing too great a loss of life, and exposed the people of Lakeview to 
 total destruction. The chief difficulty of an attack lay in the cir 
 cumstance that the enemy could retreat into the caves of the en 
 trance and from there keep up a murderous fusilade upon the peo 
 ple of the valley. True, the battery might be used against them in 
 such a case ; but there were so many nooks and corners in the 
 caves that the enemy would find no great difficulty in securing 
 protection. 
 
 After receiving a number of suggestions, Herbert asker Arthur 
 whether he had reflected on the subject since morning. 
 
 "Yes, sir, was the reply; "I think I have a plan whose ex 
 ecution will end the war at once, as it meditates the capture of the 
 hostile army." 
 
 Let us hear this plan, if you please." 
 
 "It is exceedingly simple. If 1 had my way, I would march a 
 body of troops, say four or five hundred, along the track of the 
 freight railroad, lower them by means of the crane to the banks of 
 the river, surprise the guard at the entrance, occupy the passage 
 and thus cut off the only avenue of retreat." 
 
 "That sounds very plausible," one of the members of the 
 council remarked; "But what would you do in case they had 
 closed the gates ? " 
 
 "It is not very likely they have, as the river is their base of 
 supplies; but even if they had shut themselves up in that way, I 
 would place a body of troops in the canon of the river, to cut off 
 their retreat which starvation would soon cause them to attempt." 
 
 " But such a measure might provoke a bloody fight, which Mr. 
 Grau wishes to avoid." 
 
 "Only with the difference that they would be the attacking 
 party and assume the responsibility. Such a conflict they can, 
 however, prokoke at any time, if they desire, even if my plan is 
 not adopted."

 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 241 
 
 There was a murmer of applause, and several members spoke 
 warmly in support. Hearing this, Herbert said : 
 
 "The plan of my son seems to have the approval of the coun 
 cil and I declare it therefore adopted. It strikes me that the con- 
 ceiver would also be the best executor of the plan, and I therefore 
 and herewith authorize and empower you, Arthur Gran, to take, 
 without delay, the necessary steps to carry it into effect. Select 
 your own men and make such requisitions on the quartermaster as 
 are necessary for the comfort of your men." 
 
 "Very well, Sir. With your permission I will retire to exe 
 cute your orders." 
 
 With these words he left the room and proceeded to the camp, to 
 make the selection of his men. When he called for vounteers the 
 entire body stepped forward, thus compelling Arthur, after all, to 
 make his own selection. There was one body consisting entirely 
 of turners or gymnasts, an-1 lie selecte I them because their exer 
 cise had secured for them that limbemess of body which this ex 
 pedition might call into requisition. After seeing that they were 
 supplied with am unit ion and sufficient rations, he gave the order to 
 march, enjoining upon the men the necessity of the utmost caution 
 and silence. They followed the track of the railway which our 
 party had used for the visit to Montezurna s cave. The road af 
 forded no difficulties. Even the numerous bridges were easily 
 passed as there were planks for foot passengers. The terminus of 
 the road was reached without discovery and, with the help of the 
 crane, the men were speedily and safely transferred to the level of 
 the river. It was about twelve o clock when the last squad had 
 been lowered, and the ebb had receded not more than half way, 
 but the men composing the expedition were young and strong, and 
 did not at all mind a wetting. So they proceeded without delay up 
 the river and reached the waterfall an hour and a half later. As 
 Arthur had expected, the gates stood wide open, and, though a 
 guard had been left at the entrance, the utmost carlessness seemed 
 to prevail. There Avas a fire burning in the vault, and by its light 
 Arthur could see what was going on within. The men were 
 stretched on the ground, drinking freely and passing the time with 
 playing cards. Others were sleeping ; indeed, the great majority 
 seemed to be indulging in this pleasant and inexpensive pastime. 
 
 16
 
 242 The. Treasure of Monteznma. 
 
 Under the circumstances the reader \vill not wonder when we tell 
 him that Arthur s surprise -of the guard was even more complete 
 than that of the Indians had been. Every member of the detach 
 ment, consisting of thirty men, was captured, without the neces 
 sity of firing a gun. A little farther back the Indians were found, 
 securely bound, but otherwise unharmed. Arthur was very glad 
 at this discovery, for he was not very intimately acquainted with 
 the caverns, and therefore in need of guides. The red men were 
 still very crest-fallen, but Arthur cheered them by assuring them 
 that father Herbert did not blame them for succumbing to a sur 
 prise so entirely unlocked for. They now resumed their former 
 duties and led the troops with such dispatch and secrecy through 
 the passage that they reached the inner end without discovery. 
 Here, however, Arthur found another guard. Nor were the men 
 composing it quite so unmindful of their duty as their bi*ethren 
 farther out. Some of them sprang up when a charge was made 
 upon them, and, although they had no time to discharge their guns 
 with effect, a number of them made their escape, thus preventing 
 Arthur s bold plan of following up his advantage by making an 
 attack on the main body at Lake view which, trusting to the vigi 
 lance of the guards, would be poorly prepared to resist a vigorous 
 onset. The enemy would be alarmed and consequently prepared, 
 and Arthur had read too much about such night attacks to stake 
 his success on the doubtful issue of such an encounter. He now 
 held the only avenue by which the invaders could retreat and that 
 was enough for the present. If they saw that they were in a trap 
 they might tight desperately, but the chances were in favor of an 
 unconditional surrender; a ternination of their venture so in 
 glorious that a second attempt would probably never be made. 
 Arthur confined himself to the strenghening of his position. He 
 had the gates securely closed and the water returned to its channel. 
 He had left a strong detatchment at the terminus of the freight 
 railway and, after dispatching two of the indians wi-th the news of 
 his success to Herbert, lie rested on his arms, feeling that things 
 looked a great deal more hopeful than twelve hours before. 
 
 The night passed without much disturbance. At one time a 
 body of troops was heard approaching, but a do/en shots fired from 
 the passage telling them that the way was barred and a fight made
 
 The Treasure of Monteznma. 243 
 
 almost hopeless by the darkness and the strong position of the foe, 
 they prudently retreated to the village. 
 
 At last dawn set in, and when the bandit surveyed his position 
 he saw that his dogged indifference had put him into a plight truly 
 desperate. The pass from the valley was occupied by a body of 
 troops which he could not see, but had good reasons to believe 
 formidable. From the north-east a large body of men was fast 
 approaching, threatening to crush his handful by the very weight 
 of numbers. Half a mile from the village it halted, and the free 
 booters could see the guns were unlimbered and placed in position. 
 If they made an attempt to force the pass, this army would follow 
 011 their heels and they would be caught between two fires. The 
 bandit himself was desperate enough to rush into the foe and die 
 fighting ; but he knew his men too well to imagine that they could 
 be persuaded to imitate the example of the Spartans at Ther- 
 mopyke. In fact, the glances which they cast at him were by no 
 
 means the friendliest, and while he would not have hesitated to 
 plunge into the ranks of the enemy with the certainty of death be 
 fore him, he w r as not at all pleased with the prospect of falling un 
 der the stillettos of his comrades. At seven o clock a flag of truce 
 was seen to approach from the army. The bandit prepared to meet 
 it ; but he was not allowed to go alone. 
 
 "Stop a moment, Captain," a burly felknr accosted him; "I 
 for one, wish to know what you chaps have to say. You have got 
 us into a pretty pickle here, and if there is a way out of it this 
 child wants to know." 
 
 " That s right, Ifenriquez," another chimed in. " You go along 
 and see that we get fair play." 
 
 The bandit colored, and a sinister glance shot from his eyes ; 
 but his men were not in a mood to be bullied or trifled with ; so he 
 started without saying a word, the others following at his heels. 
 They met the envoy awaiting them midway between the two lines. 
 
 " Are you empowered to treat with me ? " he inquired. 
 
 " Yes, let us hear what you have to say." 
 
 " Very well. My general offers you a safe retreat on condition 
 that you deliver up your arms and your leader." 
 
 And if we refuse ? " 
 
 " He will open fire on you in fifteen minutes."
 
 244 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 "But the people of Lakeview will be destroyed in such a 
 case." 
 
 " He will not give you much time to do them harm. Decide, for 
 I have been ordered to give you just five minutes for reflection." 
 
 Henriquez looked shyly at his mate. It went even against the 
 grit of this hardened man to purchase his own safety at the expense 
 of his leader. The bandit on the other hand, soon formed his reso 
 lution. AVe have, on various occasions, noticed feeble signs of a 
 better nature in this man who, under other circumstances, might 
 perhaps have excelled by his heroic qualities. On this occasion, 
 one of these gleames of nobility alluded to broke forth." 
 
 " Very well," he replied ; " I accept your terms, as far as I am 
 concerned. I have induced these men to invade the valley, and it 
 is only just that I should bear the consequences. Henriquez, you 
 run back and communicate the conditions to our men. Tell them 
 that I advise them to accept the terms proposed, for if they don t 
 they will finally have to leave their bodies as well as their arms." 
 
 " Ain t you coming along ? " 
 
 "No, I shall stay here to await their decision." 
 
 "All right," the man said, and walked away. The news he 
 brought evidently created a commotion, for there was much run 
 ning to and fro ; but after the expiration of ten or fifteen minutes, 
 this commotion subsided, and piling of weapons of every descrip 
 tion in front of the village indicated plainly that they had resolved 
 to accept the terms offered to them. The return of Henrique/ con 
 firmed this opinion. He said that it was very hard for them to 
 give up the weapons on which their support depended ; but as they 
 had no other way of getting out of the scrape into which the cap 
 tain s rashness had brought them, they had to comply. The envoy 
 then returned to inform his superiors of the successful termination 
 of his mission. It is unnecessary to describe the details of the 
 measures taken for the enforcement of the treaty. The crestfallen 
 freebooters had to march in single file between the troops of Arthur, 
 drawn up for that purpose. The bandit, on the other hand, was 
 escorted by a strong guard to Enterprise and securely imprisoned 
 to await the trial which was to decide his fate. The afternoon was 
 spent, when his prison door opened and Herbert entered the room, 
 accompanied by Arthur. The prisoner eyed them coldly, and if
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 245 
 
 they had expected to find him humble and ready to ask forgiveness 
 for his numerous offenses, they were mistaken. 
 
 " Well, Arthur," Herbert broke the silence ; "You see into what 
 a dilemma your misdeeds have brought you ? " 
 
 "I have been unlucky, that is all. You are the victor go 
 ahead and do your worst. I am prepared to meet my fate." 
 
 There is something in the manifestation of an undaunted spirit 
 which secures our respect, even when it is exhibited in a cause not 
 at all calculated to excite our admiration. 
 
 "Stubborn as ever," Herbert said sadly. "Don t you see 
 young man that I bear you no grudge for the harm you have done 
 or tried to do me ? If I saw only a disposition to mend your ways, 
 I would not only do you no harm, but even reach you a helping 
 hand, and assist you in becoming a useful member of society." 
 
 The bandit did not trust his ears. He had expected nothing 
 less than to be tried by a courtmartial, and then shot. He was 
 fair-minded enough to see that he deserved nothing better, and 
 would undoubtedly have received a similar verdict under similar 
 circumstances. And now this man spoke sadly, instead of speak 
 ing harshly, offering not only forgiveness for offenses both numer 
 ous and aggravating, but even assistance, in case the culprit would 
 promise to reform. For the first time the bandit got a glimpse of 
 the greatness of this man. For the first time something like shame 
 entered his bosom. He had to look down to avoid the clear, 
 benevolent glance of his relative. 
 
 " It is too late," he murmured at last ; "if you knew ." 
 
 "1 do not want to know, and it is not too late," Herbert per 
 sisted, seeing that his words had at last begun to make an impres 
 sion on this hardened heart. "Come now, can t you act like a 
 man, and form the resolution to lead henceforth a different life 
 and atone, by serving your brethren, for the wrong you have done 
 them/ 
 
 A heavy sigh wrung itself from the bandit s bosom. 
 
 "If I thought ," he began gloomily. 
 
 " I know, that is better. Only form the resolution, and we all 
 will help you with the best of our ability. Come, Arthur, give me 
 your hand, turn a new leaf, and we shall bless the day that brought 
 about this change."
 
 246 The Treasure of Montezinna. 
 
 The bandit v;as conquered ; another heavy sigh escaped his 
 breast and, with tears starting from his eyes, he .seized and wrung 
 his uncle s hand and said : 
 
 "I have not deserved such mercy from you, uncle Herbert, 
 but, take my word for it, you will never regret such kindness ; and 
 if, henceforth, any one dares to harm you, he will have to harm 
 me first. The fact is I am very poor at making speeches ; but give 
 me a chance of showing my appreciation of your generosity by ac 
 tions and you will find me true to my pledge." 
 
 "I trust F will Arthur; but if you are really in earnest with 
 your resolutions of reform, you will certainly make reparation to 
 a person you have wronged more grievously than me." 
 
 Arthur looked at him inquiringly ; but instead of replying, 
 Herbert left the room. After a minute or two he reappeared, lead 
 ing Clara by the hand. The poor girl seemed to have suffered 
 keenly during the last few days, for her cheeks were hollow, and the 
 bloom that had covered them in former and happier days had en 
 tirely disappeared. She appeared very nervous and had no sooner 
 noticed Arthur than she covered her face with her hands and 
 commenced to weep bitterly. This conduct was so different from 
 her usual light and gay behaviour that it touched all present, and 
 her lover most of all. 
 
 " I understand you now, uncle," he said, and thank you sincerely 
 for giving me this opportunity of showing the earnestness of my 
 resolutions. Clara, if you can still trust such a good-for-nothing 
 fellow, I shall redeem my promise and lead you as my wedded wife 
 into the home which this good uncle of mine will be kind enough 
 to provide for us." 
 
 AVith a shout of joy the girl flew into his arms and said, smil 
 ing through tears : " I knew my Arturo would not desert me." 
 
 "Well, he came mighty near it, though," he said, returning 
 her caresses, and laughing in an embarrassed manner ; "the fact 
 is, Clara, I cannot understand how you ever came to throw away 
 your affections upon such a scallawag. I do not deserve such good 
 ness ; but if you will forgive me and forget the past, I shall try to 
 make you as happy as you deserve." 
 
 A radiant srnile was all the answer she gave him. 
 
 " Here is another," he resumed, " whose forgiveness I have to
 
 The Treasure of Montetiuma. 247 
 
 ask. Cousin Arthur, can you forget the brutal assault I made upon 
 you and grasp a hand stained by so many misdeeds ? " 
 
 "I can and will," replied our young friend, taking the prof 
 fered hand. "I trust the time will come when I shall be proud to 
 call you my friend." 
 
 " I shall try my best to hasten it ; but where is Inez ? I shall 
 not feel easy before she too has vouchsafed me her forgiveness." 
 
 Inez had entered some time before, but remained hidden be 
 hind her father to conceal the deep emotion which the touching 
 scene had stirred up in her. Now, however, she came forward. 
 Offering her hand to the man who had at one time so deeply in 
 sulted her, she said : 
 
 " Here is my hand, Cousin Arthur, in token that I have for 
 given and forgotten, and rejoice heartily at the turn which affairs 
 have taken to-day. At the same time I offer my sincerest congratu 
 lations to your union with this friend of mine. I know her well 
 and assure you that you have drawn a prize in securing her ? " 
 
 " And I return your good wishes for your prospective union 
 with Cousin Arthur. By the by, cousin, here is a document which 
 may come handy one of these days." 
 
 "What is it, Arthur ?" 
 
 " Oh, never mind. Just put it in your pocket and examine it 
 at your leisure." 
 
 At this moment a young man entered the room and informed 
 Herbert that the train for the North was ready, awaiting only the 
 appearance of the party to start. 
 
 "Then be up and off, children," Herbert said. "I have 
 never let others wait on me if I could help it, and shall not be guilty 
 of this offense to-night." 
 
 With this he arose and led the way to the cars which were 
 packed to the utmost on account of the unusual concourse of peo 
 ple at Enterprise that day. Seats had been reserved for the party, 
 but Herbert refused to enjoy privileges which were not accorded 
 to all, and insisted upon others sharing the seats allowed to his 
 party to such a degree that they strikingly resembled packed her 
 rings in a box. What he thus lost in comfort, however, he gained 
 richly in the affection of his fellow passengers, provided it was 
 really possible for the people to like him better than before.
 
 248 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 The train reached Monte/uma without mishap, and at nine 
 o clock they entered the Villla with a feeling of relief and restful- 
 ness contrasting pleasantly with the excitements of the day. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 RETRIBUTION. 
 
 It had not been more than a day since they left their peaceful 
 abode, but the strange and startling events which had occurred 
 meanwhile caused the period to appear ever so much longer. It is, 
 indeed, by occurrences, and not by days that we ought to compute 
 time. In peace and tranquility it flows so evenly that we hardly 
 notice the current. During turbulent periods, on the other hand, 
 we experience more in a day than otherwise in a month, and at 
 such times we can say to have lived proportionately long. 80, 
 with the family of the A illa. Serious dangers had threatened 
 them, and for hours their very existence had been in jeopardy. 
 
 The danger had finally been averted, and, what at first ap 
 peared as a great calamity had, for some of them at least, assumed 
 the garb of a blessing. The heart of the bandit had been touched, 
 and, with this event, the life of Clara, which seemed on the brink 
 of ruin, had suddenly taken a turn for the better. It is such re 
 actions, however, which affect us most deeply, and the company, 
 though thankful for the escape from danger, and consequently 
 happy thereat, was in that mood of mind which inclines us to si 
 lence and thoughtfulness. A late supper was eaten with only a 
 casual remark interrupting the repast, when a remark of Herbert 
 startled the company. 
 
 "Now, I think of it, he said, " has anybody seen Philip dur 
 ing the past twenty-four hours ? " 
 
 No one had, and what had been overlooked in the excitement 
 of the conflict now justly caused the wonderment of everybody. 
 " Where was Philip, and what had become of him ?" At this mo 
 ment the servant waiting on them came in, and when she was asked
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 249 
 
 the same question, she replied that Senor Philip had been so ill all 
 this time as to be chained to his room and even bed. An incredu 
 lous smile passed over the face of his cousin, but he said nothing. 
 Nor did the news create a very lively interest in the rest of the 
 party, Herbert remarking that if the patient was not better in the 
 morning he would have to pay him a visit in his medicinal ca 
 pacity. Little did he dream of the complications which the night 
 would bring. 
 
 When he entered his office the next morning he was just in 
 time to receive the following telegram : 
 
 " LAKEVIEW, September 8, 1878. 
 
 "Herbert Grau : The Dolphin arrived last night. I have a 
 passenger on board who claims to have received an invitation from 
 you to visit Friedensthal, and to substantiate her claim has shown 
 me a letter from you which I did not read, but which is evidently 
 genuine. She came on board the Dolphin at San Francisco, and 
 was so positive in her statements that I did not dare to refuse her a 
 passage, although you had not given me any instructions to that 
 effect. She is at the hotel here, and I should like to know whether 
 I shall send her up or take her back to San Francisco. 
 
 Yours, etc., JOIIANN SEAMANN, Captain of Dolphin." 
 
 Herbert leaned back in his chair and reflected for quite a while. 
 " Hem," he muttered. " I hardly know what would be best. I 
 surely did not invite her, but my hints as to Philip must have 
 brought her, and it would hardly be hospitable to send her back 
 on such a long voyage without giving her a chance to rest. I have 
 no doubt there will be a row, but if his conduct has justified her 
 indignation he must blame himself for that, and not me. I think 
 I shall let her come." 
 
 He wired an answer in conformity with this resolution, and then 
 went to Philip s room to see whether his indisposition was of a se 
 rious character. He found the young man still in bed, but a single 
 glance sufficed to convince him that the malady was merely one of 
 those inventions which serve as a cover for our activity or inactivity, 
 as the case might be. When Herbert entered Philip stretched out 
 his hand and said : 
 
 " Allow me to congratulate you upon the lucky termination of
 
 250 The Treasure of Montezwna. 
 
 an outrage which might have proved fatal to your plans and as 
 pirations. 
 
 " Curse upon this sickness which compelled me to remain here 
 in inactivity, while Cousin Arthur gathered laurels. Believe me, 
 however, that my best wishes were with you all the while." 
 
 " Your forte is diplomacy, Philip, not war," Herbert said, 
 with a smile in which irony predominated ; " but can you not rise 
 and take breakfast with us ? There may be visitors who would 
 wish to make your acquaintance." 
 
 " Well, I shall try ; the pain in iny back has left me almost en 
 tirely, and I shall certainly make an effort to join you." 
 
 He kept his word, for, just as the company were on the point 
 of sitting down to breakfast, he entered the dining-room. On see 
 ing his brother he could not help starting back in consternation, 
 and, in spite of his adroitness, he betrayed great embarrassment. 
 
 " I need not introduce the gentlemen," Herbert said, with that 
 suavity which is sometimes the keenest irony ; " for, as I learn 
 from this prisoner, you are united by the bonds of blood. You 
 will, no doubt, be glad to learn, Philip, that your brother has con 
 sented to become a member of our colony." 
 
 Philip struggled to regain his self-possession, and finally suc 
 ceeded sufficiently to stammer : 
 
 "I congratulate him on such a resolution, and trust that his 
 conduct will be such as to justify the kindness you have shown 
 him." 
 
 The color rose in his brother s face, and but for a warning look 
 from Herbert the young man might have broken out into a pas 
 sionate reply. As it was, he abstained from making any remark 
 at all, and the company sat down to breakfast. 
 
 "I just now learn that the Dolphin has run in," Herbert in 
 formed the party. " Captain Seamann informs me of a strange in 
 solence of which a Corvette has been guilty. She signaled the 
 Dolphin to lay to, and when the captain paid no attention gave 
 chase and commenced firing on our steamer, luckily without effect, 
 for when the Dolphin showed her heels she soon ran away from 
 the man-of-war. This is certainly an outrage which they would 
 not have attempted if the Dolphin had sailed under the flag of a
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 251 
 
 stronger nation. What I do not understand in the matter, is the 
 motive lying at the bottom of the outrage." 
 
 If he had seen the significant glance which Arturo for thus 
 we shall henceforth call him, to distinguish him from his cousin- 
 cast at his brother, and the palor spreading over the latter s face, 
 he might perhaps have got a clue to the mystery. As it was the 
 matter was dropped and the meal proceeded in silence, until, near 
 the end, a servant entered and handed Herbert a card. 
 
 " Ah," he said after looking at it, " let the lady enter at once ; 
 she may not have breakfasted and, in that case, do us ihe honor to 
 join us in our meal." 
 
 The servant retired and a minute later a lady entered the room 
 whose appearance had the same effect upon the company as the 
 bursting of a bombshell in a bivouac. The two Arthur s and 
 Philip sprang to their feet exclaiming almost simultaneously, 
 "Bertha!" 
 
 Herbert also arose, though less unceremoniously, and, walking 
 up to the stranger, said, with his hand outstretched for a greeting : 
 
 " Welcome, Miss Stamm, in Friedensthal. Inez, this is Miss 
 Bertha Stamm ; a niece of my lamented friend Anton Stamm." 
 
 "A relation entitling her to my regard," said Inez politely, but 
 rather coldly. The young men now felt it their duty to say a few 
 words of welcome, although each of them had his reasons for em 
 barrassment. Arthur was the first to collect himself. 
 
 " This is quite a surprise, Bertha," he said, taking her hand, 
 and giving it a hearty shake, " but I need not assure you that it is 
 a very pleasant one." 
 
 "Nor I," Philip now chimed in ; "we used to spend such 
 happy hours together at Antonsruhe that I rejoice at the prospect 
 of renewing them." 
 
 " I am sincerely glad to hear you say so," she replied, looking 
 at him so steadily that he was forced to lower his glance. 
 
 In order to change the subject, he said : " This is my brother, 
 Arthur ; I suppose you have almost forgotten him in the long 
 years of absence ? " 
 
 " I remember him very well," she replied in the cold manner 
 which we have noticed in her before. .
 
 252 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " Bertha, have you had breakfast, this morning?" Herbert now 
 inquired ; "if not, the girl shall set a plate for you." 
 
 "Thanks, Mr. Gran," she responded ; "I had my breakfast at 
 the hotel." 
 
 The party then arose, and broke into groups. Bertha managed 
 to detach Philip from the others, walking with him to one of the 
 arbors of the garden. She looked at him affectionately and was on 
 the point of speaking, when he said rather coolly : 
 
 " What on earth brings you here, Bertha? How did you get 
 the clue to the secret of this place? " 
 
 " I did not steal it this tioie," she replied bitterly. " Mr. Grau 
 wrote to me that he would deed Antonsruhe to me if I would re 
 lease Arthur from his pledge. I was so glad at this good news that 
 I could not resist the temptation to visit his place of residence. 
 Besides " 
 
 " Well, besides? " 
 
 " He told me in his letter that you were with him then, a cir 
 cumstance which confirmed my resolutions of coming." 
 
 " Much obliged to you, Bertha," he said coolly ; but what is to 
 come of this and how will you get back ? " 
 
 " Why, are .you not going with me, Philip? " 
 
 " I don t know yet ; may be I shall; but do not tell anybody 
 here of our intimacy." 
 
 " But why not, Philip ? Antonsruhe belongs to me now and 
 there is no longer a necessity for concealing our engagement." 
 
 " Well, nevertheless you will oblige me by preserving the secret 
 a little longer." 
 
 We leave them talking and follow Herbert, who went to his 
 office, where a clerk ran to meet him with a flushed face, saying 
 hurriedly : 
 
 " Head this dispatch, Sir. Here are boats coming up the Rio 
 Frio, to attack the Dolphin, and, may be, the settlement." 
 
 Herbert wasted no time with questions, but read the telegram, 
 which was as follows . 
 
 "Ox BOARD Tin: DOLPHIN: 
 
 I have just learned from reliable sources thht the boats of the 
 same Corvette which chased me will make a night attack with 
 boats. Send the necessary aid without delay, as I am not in condi-
 
 The Treasure of Montez it ma. 253 
 
 tion to resist so formidable an assault. The man-of-war must have 
 tracked us to this port. 
 
 JOHAXX SEAMANX." 
 
 "Call Arthur in," Herbert commanded; " and Arturo also. " 
 Then, without waiting a moment, he dispatched a dozen different 
 messages to a dozen different places. Before he was through, the 
 two young men stood at his side. When he had finished, he turned 
 to them, saying hurriedly : 
 
 " I need you both. Captain Seamann telegraphs to me that the 
 Corvette, which chased the Dolphin, has tracked her to the river 
 and is preparing to attack her with boats the coming night. The 
 rascals are getting impudent and need a lesson that will prevent a 
 recurrence of such an offense. I have telegraphed to get the 
 men and artillery ready, and want you two to take command of the 
 forces preparing to beat back the assailants. Arturo you may 
 serve under Arthur, and, I trust, you will use this opportunity to 
 show that I had good reasons for this confidence in you." 
 
 A flash of joy gleamed from the young man s eyes. 
 
 " I thank you uncle," was all he said, but the pressure of his 
 hand spoke volumes, and showed Herbert that he had done well 
 to give him this opportunity for redeeming his character. He 
 fairly trembled with impatience to be off, and when the two hurried 
 down town there was no occasion to urge him to speed and ac 
 tivity. 
 
 The news had not yet reached the citizens, excepting those to 
 whom Herbert had telegraphed ; but such tidings travel with light 
 ning speed, and soon the public were in possession of the facts. To 
 know and respond was almost simultaneous, and soon the two 
 saw themselves at the head of five hundred chosen men, who 
 burned with impatience to teach this foreign foe a salutary lesson. 
 The military fire kindled by the recent invasion had not entirely 
 subsided, and was therefore rekindled with redoubled intensity. 
 The battery had been fortunately not returned to the armory, and 
 was speedily placed upon the cars, which the soldiers boarded at 
 the same time. AVhile rushing towards Enterprise, Arturo 
 whispered to his cousin : 
 
 " It is not more than right that I should tell you that lam pro-
 
 254 The Treasure of Montezn/na. 
 
 bably partly to blame for this movement on the part of the Cor 
 vette." 
 
 " You?" Arthur said, unwilling to trust his ears. 
 
 " Yes, I. In order to make you understand, I am compelled 
 to reveal to you a diabolical plot which my brother concocted. You 
 know already that it was our plan to capture uncle Herbert, but 
 you do not know that it was also a part of the plan to convey him 
 on board the Corvette and send him to Germany and deliver him 
 to the authorities for the execution of the death sentence still hang 
 ing over him." 
 
 " Good Heavens ! What a villainous plot/ Arthur could not 
 help exclaiming. 
 
 " I see it in the same light now, Arturo humbly replied ; " but 
 blind fury and passion prevented me from seeing it then. I must 
 bear my share of the disgrace ; but believe me Arthur, while I 
 lent a hand in the execution of the scheme, I was not diabolical 
 enough to invent it." 
 
 "And you think the commander of the Corvette is in the 
 plot?" 
 
 " I know it, for I mailed a letter which Philip gave me before 
 my expulsion from the valley." 
 
 " I am glad you told me this ; partly because it leaves no 
 longer any doubts as to your sincerity, and partly because it shows 
 the serious nature of the affair. There is no doubt that we shall 
 be able to repel this assault, for the channel of the river is too 
 shallow to allow the Corvette to proceed far from the coast ; but 
 there is danger of complications with a foreign power. Mexico is 
 not able to cope with a first-class power of the Old World, and 
 would, for that reason, be willing enough to sacrifice us to placate 
 its vengeance." 
 
 Poor Arturo sat very crestfallen. 
 
 " Well, that won t hinder us from giving them a good thrashing, 
 I hope," he said. 
 
 Arthur had to smile against his will. "Fear not, there will be 
 fighting enough to satisfy the most bloodthirsty," he replied. "To 
 do these tars and marines justice, they never count the odds against 
 them, and my heart bleeds at the necessity of slaughtering them,
 
 The Treasure of Montezunia. 255 
 
 for slaughter it must necessarily be, if their commander persists in 
 his determination to attack us." 
 
 By this time they had reached Enterprise, where another de 
 tachment of the same number awaited them. The reception of 
 Arthur was an enthusiastic one, for the people of the town had not 
 forgotten that the speedy termination of the invasion was chiefly 
 due to his skill and heroism. They extended their welcome to 
 their late foe, and marveled not a little at the striking resemblance 
 which the two cousins bore to one another. It was, in fact, only 
 the clothes they wore which enabled them to know them apart. 
 
 The cars in which the Enterprise division of militia had taken 
 their seats were coupled to the train, and an hour later the expedi 
 tion stopped at the terminus, which our previous visit has made 
 familiar to the reader. The .battery was speedily unloaded and 
 lowered to the Dolphin, which was lying close under the cliff. This 
 being done, the guns were then placed in position and loaded with 
 grapeshot, under the supervision of a gunner who had served a 
 number of years in that capacity. The troops were posted partly 
 on board the steamer, whose gunwale offered an excellent protec 
 tion against hostile bullets, and partly on the cliffs of the northern 
 side, the southern being too steep for access to anybody. 
 
 By dusk everything was in readiness. The men took their 
 supper and then went to their respective posts, with orders to remain 
 as still as possible and to refrain from firing until the order was 
 given. Arturo had received the command of the division on the 
 rocks, while Arthur remained on board the steamer, whose boats 
 had been lowered and manned with sharpshooters, in order to take 
 the aggressive, if such a movement should be deemed advisable. 
 Arthur was greatly troubled in his mind about the approaching 
 struggle. As he had said to his cousin, he was not afraid of the 
 issue but foresaw that the conflict would be a bloody one and might 
 lead to complications with a strong power fatal to the prosperity of 
 Friedensthal. Could he not possibly pursue a course calculated to 
 avoid a collision ? If he could only convince the commander of 
 the expedition that an attack, with boats on so impregnable a posi 
 tion must be a disastrous failure, he might be induced to abstain 
 from wasting uselessly both amunition and blood. But how could 
 he accomplish this ? In vain he racked his brain, and came finally
 
 25(5 The Treasure of Montezinna. 
 
 to the conclusion that it would be best to await further develop 
 ments, and then seize the first favorable opportunity presenting 
 itself. In order to ascertain the position of the enemy, he boarded 
 one of the boats and ordered the men to row him down the river. 
 They proceeded with muffled oars and stopped every few minutes 
 to listen for signs from the enemy. The wind came up the river, 
 a circumstance favoring his purpose. He was about a mile from 
 the steamer when ho thought he heard a faint noise in the distance. 
 He ordered his men to stop rowing, and all listened with the keen 
 est attention. Arthur had not mistaken ; the muffled sound of oars 
 handled with the greatest precaution could plainly be heard in the 
 distance. Gradually it became louder, and when our friend had 
 convinced himself that there was no doubt of the approach of the 
 foe. he ordered his men to return to the steamer. Rapidly the boat 
 continued on its course up the river, and soon afterwards glided 
 past the bow of the steamer. Arthur resumed his post on board 
 the Dolphin and waited anxiously for the developments which the 
 next few minutes must necessarily bring. Still his face was 
 troubled, and he racked his brain for an outlet from the dilemma. 
 At first it would not show itself. But suddenly a ray of light 
 flitted over his countenance, only to pass away and leave a deeper 
 shadow there than before. But this shadow in turn passed away 
 and once more the ray of light made its appearance, this time to 
 stay and clear the face of all trouble and uncertainty. After a 
 minute s reflection, Arthur nodded as in answer to a mental inquiry, 
 and then muttered : 
 
 "Yes, that will do;" he arose 1 at the same time, called the 
 captain and Arturo to his side and engaged in a short but eager 
 conversation, whose nature must surely have been wf a humorous 
 character, for the eyes of the hearers twinkled and the grin 
 which the first words provoked on their faces broadened until their 
 mouths widened almost from ear to ear, and more than one "capi 
 tal !" "splendid!" "just the thing !" escaped their lips. As 
 discrete men, however, they moderated their voices sufficiently to 
 guard the official secret from profane ears, and since the well known 
 discretion of the reader and ourselves excludes the very idea of 
 eavesdropping, we have to be satisfied to learn the nature of the 
 things in store by their development.
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 257 
 
 Night bad now completely settled on the landscape, and an im 
 penetrable darkness had wrapped everything in its dense folds ; but 
 the anxiety of Arthur and his men had disappeared and given room 
 to that pleasant sensation with which we await an entertainment 
 rich with the promise of fun and merriment. The only feeling 
 manifest was that of impatience at the long delay of the fun. 
 
 At last there came signs of the arrival of the expected 
 though uninvited guests. The dull thud of muffled oars, scarcely 
 noticable to the unconcerned, became plainly audable to the ex 
 pectant listeners. The boats reached a position between the steamer 
 and the opposite cliff. The tide was now at its height, covering 
 the narrow banks too high to allow any footing. On board the 
 steamer everything was quiet, justifying the hope of the invaders 
 that their attack would be a complete surprise. Only the regu 
 lar throbbing of the engine was heard, resembling the peaceful 
 breathing of a giant, whose very breath may become destruction 
 when coupled with consciousness. 
 
 Now the boats are drawn up in line; a low whistle gives the 
 sign for the advance upon the steamer, and this advance begins, 
 only to be cut short in a manner of which the assailants had little 
 dreamed. As if by magic the deep obscurity of the night sud 
 denly gave way to a brilliant light which the suddenness of the 
 change made almost magical and truly overwhelming. Before the 
 assailants had time to recover from their surprise, four heavy 
 streams of water began to play upon them with a force making it 
 totally impossible for them to maintain their positions, throwing 
 almost the entire force into the river, where they spurted and blew 
 like a herd of porpoises. Of course they made immediate and des 
 perate exertions to regain the, boats, but they failed, partly because 
 the heavy streams continued to play upon them and partly because 
 the boats, all at once, reared like refractory horses, assuming 
 gradually a vertical position, spilling into the water, as a matter of 
 course, the few who had thus far kept their positions. The scene 
 was certainly one of extreme confusion, and the mass of struggling 
 humanity in the river must have presented a highly ludicrous ap 
 pearance, for shouts of laughter resounded on all sides, much to 
 the vexation of the involuntary bathers, if we may judge from the 
 numerous imprecations arising from their lips. Never, however,
 
 258 The Treasure of Monteztana. 
 
 had they been more helpless and unable to resent a practical joke, 
 and. what is more, they were not merely helpless, but also in peril 
 of finding a watery grave in the deep river, for, though all skilled 
 in the art of swimming, they were too heavily encumbered with 
 their uniforms and weapons to make much use of it. When, there 
 fore, a helping hand or hook was extended, the struggle rs made 
 such instant use of the aid proffered that in less than fifteen min 
 utes the whole force was on board the steamer, deprived of their 
 weapons and reduced to the inglorious condition of captivity. We 
 need hardly add that a more crestfallen crew can not well be im 
 agined ; nor need we wonder, for they who, but a few minutes ago, 
 had reveled in the anticipation of an easy victory, were now totally 
 at the mercy of a foe whose character they did not know, and 
 whose resentment they had good reason to fear. The commander 
 of the expedition especially presented a picture of despondency, as 
 well he might, for, without regard to the fate in store for him on 
 the part of the victors, he had reason to apprehend a severe pun 
 ishment from the commander of the Corvette for the levity with 
 which he had plunged his men into this predicament. 
 
 Arthur seemed to read his thoughts ; stepping up to him, he 
 said, with a polite bow, in German : 
 
 " Good evening, sir. Permit me to offer you the hospitality of 
 this vessel." 
 
 The touch of sarcasm in these words was so softened by the po 
 liteness and evident good humor of the speaker that the captive 
 was wise enough to accept the pleasant side of the situation, saying 
 with an attempt to brighten up : 
 
 " Thanks, sir ; if the welcome is as hearty as the double bath 
 you gave us, we shall have little reason to complain." 
 
 "We shall endeavor to make it so," was the laughing reply. 
 Then, becoming serious, the speaker continued : 
 
 " Indeed, we have no inclination to pay you back in your own 
 coin. The nation to which you belong is mine, and nothing is fur 
 ther from my mind than to harm its valiant tars. Please follow 
 me to a stateroom to don a dry suit. I want you to make a short 
 excursion with me through our colony to-morrow morning to be 
 come convinced that even an army would find it difficult to conquer 
 us. We want to live in peace with our Fatherland, and nothing, I
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 259 
 
 think, will bring about such a valuable condition of affairs more 
 readily than your recognition of our strength. 
 
 The officer was as much struck by the nature of these words as 
 the gentlemanly tone in which they were uttered. He merely 
 bowed, and by rising, signified his readiness to do the other s bid 
 ding. Arthur led him to a stateroom, and half an hour later the 
 officer was dressed in one of Captain Seamann s suits ready to re 
 join Arthur, who had meanwhile been busily engaged in making the 
 other prisoners as comfortable as circumstances would permit. 
 
 The officers as well as the men were provided with dry gar 
 ments, and so ludicrous an aspect did they present that the grin on 
 the faces of their captors refused to down. A hearty meal had 
 been spread in the cabins, and when the hungry invaders sat down 
 to do it ample justice, with their captors at their backs in the role of 
 attentive hosts, the scene bore more the character of a carnival 
 banquet than a gloomy prison meal. The common language of the 
 two parties formed an additional bond of union between them, and 
 soon a lively intercourse was in progress, the coarse jokes to which 
 Jack Tar is addicted Hying thick and fast, causing shouts of laugh 
 ter at every good hit. Even amongst the officers this entente cor- 
 diale made its appearance, and at the end of the meal all restraint 
 seemed to have vanished. This was chiefly due to the genial hos 
 pitality of Arthur, who was so happy over the bloodless termina 
 tion of the encounter that he could have embraced his worst foe 
 with the greatest cordiality. His influence was irresistible, and 
 when the party retired for the night, the mutual hand shaking was 
 as hearty as sincere. 
 
 The next morning, after dawn, when Arthur stepped on deck, 
 he found the commander of his prisoners there inspecting the sur 
 roundings with both interest and curiosity. Pointing to the boats 
 of the Corverte, which were still suspended in the air by means of 
 wire-ropes descending from the cliff , he said laughingly : 
 
 " I see now why our horses began to rear all at once in so un 
 accountable a manner. The trick is so good a one that I forgive 
 you for our defeat with all my heart. I shudder at the thought of 
 the slaughter to which you could have subjected our men if you 
 had chosen to do so." 
 
 "I assure you that the fear of being compelled to such a course
 
 260 The Treasure of Mantezinna. 
 
 weighed heavily on my mind last night," replied Arthur earnestly. 
 " But come to the cabin for an early breakfast. We shall need all 
 the day to inspect the things I have to show to you." 
 
 " I am at your service, sir, but permit me to ask : where did 
 the terrible streams come from Avhich made such dreadful havoc 
 among us." 
 
 "They come in pipes from a lake higher up in the valley, which 
 I shall show you in due season," Arthur replid with a laugh. 
 
 " Hark, there is the breakfast bell ! " 
 
 The excellent meal, with its fragrant coffee and pleasant native 
 wines of Friedensthal, evidently strengthened the tie which the 
 supper of the night before had begun to weave, and when it was 
 over the lieutenant of the Corvette, whose name, was Detmold, was 
 ready to follow Arthur everywhere, even if he would have been 
 obliged to meet hardships and dangers instead of the pleasant sur 
 prises which he had been led to expect. 
 
 When he and Arthur readied the deck of the Dolphin the can 
 non had disappeared, so had, in fact, the greater part of the mi 
 litia, only a body of two hundred remaining to guard the prisoners 
 and repel any further attacks on the part of the Corvette. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 SURPRISES ALL AROUND. 
 
 Arthur and his companions rose to the level of the tunnel by 
 means of the elevator, commonly used for hoisting the imported 
 and exported goods. Lieutenant Detmold had been urged to in 
 spect everthing he saw with the greatest care, and it must be con 
 fessed that he obeyed this injunction with the most scrupulous ex 
 actness. The great elevator or crane, the train of cars loaded with 
 the militia and the buttery, the panting locomotive, awaiting 
 merely the arrival of Arthur and his companions to pull the 
 train from the tunnel ; all this display of system and power im 
 pressed the lieutenant very forcibly as strange things to be found
 
 The Trea-<i(rej>f Montezitma. 261 
 
 in an apparently uninhabited wilderness. At first he managed to 
 conceal his impressions under the calm exterior of the man of 
 the world, but when the train emerged from the tunnel, passing 
 one bridge after another, when then the valley expanded in its 
 loveliness, allowing the vision to feast upon all the beauties before 
 described ; the handsome farm-houses, with their clusters of trees 
 and bushes, the beautiful and expansive lake, with Lake- 
 view stretched along its picturesque shore, and when, after an 
 hour s ride Enterprise was reached, displaying its busy thous 
 ands, its stores and villas, its shops and factories, the aston 
 ishment of the stranger had become so boundless and over 
 whelming as to defy all attempts at concealment. Now he sat 
 speechless, his soul centering in his eyes ; now he burst into excla 
 mations of delight over the discovery of something unusually 
 beautiful or grand. Occasionally he would ask a question, but 
 most of the time he sat mute, the sense of sight evidently absorb 
 ing all his mental faculties. As they progressc <; I i- Itcwilderment 
 increased until, on reaching Montezuma, it tu.uuoL bordered on 
 stupefaction. As they alighted from the cars and entered the 
 magnificent park Arthur heard his companion mutter more than 
 once : " Where am I ? Is this a dream ? Is it reality?" Then, 
 as if unable to solve the mystery, he shook his head, allowing him 
 self to be lead mechanically into a street car, where he sank upon 
 a seat in a state of more mental than physical exhaustion. 
 
 " Cheer up, Lieutenant," Arthur said smilingly and with an en 
 couraging look ; "our journey is nearly over, and then you can 
 rest to your heart s content." 
 
 " So much the better, Sennor, " the other replied, with a touch 
 of humor, in which, however, a certain seriousness was plainly pef- 
 ceptible. " So much the better ; for if you continue to lead me 
 much longer through this world of marvels you may as well con 
 duct me at once to an insane asylum." 
 
 " Well then, I am happy to inform you that we are at the end 
 of our journey, for here lives the man whose genius has achieved 
 all these wonders. Prepare to meet in him the greatest of all 
 miracles of the valley." 
 
 Thus warned, the officer allowed himself to be conducted into 
 the hall of the Herbert mansion, and thence to the office where its
 
 262 The Treasure of Monteziima. 
 
 master was ready to receive him. We need hardly mention that 
 the telegraph had informed him of the issue of the singular and 
 bloodless struggle. Like Arthur, he rejoiced at its harmless termi 
 nation ; but, while he was far from the desire of resenting the un 
 warrantable aggression of the man-of-war on the innocent tools of 
 a higher authority, lie thought it proper to observe a reticence and 
 coldness indicative of indignation at the assault. So, when Arthur 
 entered and introduced the prisoner he bowed a little stiffly and 
 said, both coldly and sternly : 
 
 " I would be much more glad to meet the gentlemen, if he had 
 come on a more peaceful errand. Is it customary now in the Old 
 World to thus attack peaceful citizens who make it a point to mind 
 their own business? " 
 
 The sharp tone of the rebuke restored in a measure the self- 
 possession of the prisoner, who replied fearlessly, though politely : 
 
 "As to the habits of the European powers, I must confess 
 ignorance, being a son of the ocean and, as such, constantly upon 
 its bosorn. As to my errand here, I plead innocent, being an in 
 ferior officer of the Corvette and, as such, bound to obey the orders 
 of my superiors." 
 
 " Well answered, 1 said Herbert, an amused smile playing about 
 his lips." 
 
 "But can you not at least give me a plausible explanation fora 
 demonstration so greatly at variance with the usages of enlightened 
 nations ? " 
 
 "I cannot, Sir, and if I could, you would hardly expect me to 
 betray the confidence of my commander." 
 
 "Ko, Sir, for I despise a traitor," responded Herbert, in whose 
 esteem this fearless young soldier rose every minute. " When I 
 asked you for an explanation I expected only such as you could 
 honorably give. This, however, does not remove the fact that your 
 commander has been guilty of an inexcusable breach of peace, 
 and that I would be fully justified in using any measures of retalia 
 tion within my reach." 
 
 The lieutenant said nothing, but shrugged his shoulders, as if 
 to say : " Well, you have the power, I must submit to any measures 
 you may deem proper to adopt," 
 
 " I shall certainly express my opinion of his conduct in terms
 
 The Treasure of Moniezuma. 263 
 
 of unmistakable plainness," Herbert resumed ; "but this is neither 
 here nor there, and you may rest assured that I shall not exercise 
 vengeance upon men whose only offense was to have obeyed their 
 commander well. Consider yourself my honored guest during 
 your sojourn here. Arthur, be kind enough to lead the gentle 
 man to a room where he can make the necessary preparations for 
 dinner, which cannot be far off." 
 
 Thus dismissed, the lieutenant followed Arthur, who led him 
 up stairs into a handsome room. As the guide was on the point of 
 retiring, the stranger stopped him and said, extending his hand : 
 "Permit me to thank you for all the kindness you have shown me 
 in this unfortunate affair. Who would have thought that it would 
 have terminated in this way almost in the manner of the Arabian 
 Nights. Nothing but the enchanted princess is wanting to make 
 the likeness perfect." 
 
 "Well, who knows but the princess may appear sooner than 
 you imagine." 
 
 "Really? Well, if she is in conformity with all the rest of 
 this magic land, she will be an acceptable addition. I reckon, if 
 our captain had known into what hornets nest he would put his 
 hand he would have thought twice before meddling." 
 
 " Do you think that his opinion of our weakness makes his at 
 tempt any more honorable ? " 
 
 The other blushed, replying hastily : "Of course not. I did 
 not like to talk out of school down stairs, but you are more my 
 equal and comrade, as it were, and I do not hesitate to confess to 
 you that a piece of diplomatic trickery is at the bottom of this 
 affair." 
 
 " I am sure of it," Arthur replied so positively that the other 
 started and looked at him with surprise. Our friend, however, 
 gave him no chance for any further questions, but said hurriedly ; 
 
 "Not now, Sennor. You have but a few minutes to prepare 
 for an introduction to the enchanted princess, and if my prolonged 
 stay hinders you from making the proper tcilet, you will never 
 pardon me; adio." 
 
 With this he withdrew to seek Inez, who flew with an exclama 
 tion of rapture into his arms and cried :
 
 264 The Treasure of Montezwna. 
 
 "At last ! O, Arthur, I have entertained so much anxiety for 
 your safety." 
 
 " I am sorry, dear," for never have such fears been more 
 groundless. Has father not informed you of the issue of the 
 combat ? " 
 
 " Yes, he has, but I have trembled for you nevertheless. As 
 long as I hilip is in the colony, I shall have no peace. I hope 
 sincerely that papa will send him away." 
 
 " Your wish will probably be gratified before long, but fear 
 nothing on his part. He has been unmasked and thus made harm 
 less. But I have to get ready for dinner, earn mia, so 4 are thee 
 well." 
 
 AVhen, half an hour later, he led Lieutenant Detmold into the 
 dinning room, he found Inez ready to do the honors of the house. 
 Presenting the stranger to her, he said : 
 
 " Inez, permit me to introduce to your consideration Lieutenant 
 Detmold, of the Corvette " Mermaid." Lieutenant this is Miss 
 Ine/ Herbert, the enchanted princess of this haunted region." 
 
 The officer bowed low. " Elnchanting you should have said, 
 Sennor. I fear you have done me little kindness by introducing 
 me into this world of wonders, since, by a subsequent expulsion, 
 you must needs create a painful craving for its charms." 
 
 We know that Inez was not much given to flatteries of any 
 sort, but the appearance of the young seaman was so preposessing, 
 and his words were colored with such an air of frankness, that she 
 could not force herself to resent them. 
 
 " I see you share the fault of all followers of the sea, /. e., you 
 natter and exaggerate." 
 
 " Indeed you wrong me," the youth cried enthusiastically. "If 
 you had, like me, been led through this land of marvels, you would, 
 like me, fear to trust your senses, and be inclined to believe in 
 fairies and other mystical beings. I trust you will extend your 
 benevolence to your newest servant, and allow him to offer his 
 homage to your fairyship. " 
 
 "I see your journey thrcugh Fairyland has been too much for 
 your mental equilibrium, and it is on this ground I pardon your 
 exaggerations, and overlook your heterodox compliments. As a
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 265 
 
 sign I bear you no malice, I will permit you to offer me your arm, 
 for I see that the entire party has assembled." 
 
 The eagerness with which the youth obeyed showed plainly 
 how delighted and honored he felt at this privilege. Proudly he 
 led the fair maiden towards the table, where the rest of the com 
 pany awaited them. Inez introduced him to Philip and Bertha, 
 and could not help noticing the slight tremor which passed over the 
 former s b >dy when he was informed of the stranger s character. 
 
 "The Mermaid," he forced himself to remark. "Then you 
 are here in the capacity of an ambassador ? " 
 
 "Nothing of the kind, sir," the young man replied with a 
 laugh ; "I am here in the capacity of a prisoner, bound with chains 
 of the strongest kind." 
 
 A significant glance at Inez gave a double meaning to his words, 
 but the girl had no time to chide him for his temerity, for Herbert 
 at this moment begged the company to be seated and partake of 
 the bounties spread before them. The young seaman did not fail 
 to obey his summons with alacrity. He ate with the appetite for 
 which his profession is noted, and did more than his share to en 
 liven the repast with his humorous remarks ; but, in spite of all 
 that, there seemed to be a certain something hovering in the air 
 which acted as a damper upon the spirits of the company. Even 
 the jolly mariner could not escape its influence, buoyed by the 
 liberal potations of Friedensthal wine though he was. The grow 
 ing silence around him startled him and shut off his stream of 
 pleasant badinage so suddenly that the stillness became truly op 
 pressive. He looked about with an air of perplexity, as if asking 
 for an explanation, an appeal which caused Herbert to break the 
 silence by saying : 
 
 "Lieutenant Detmold, I have reflected gravely upon the affair 
 which gave us the pleasure of your company, and as we are all 
 more or less concerned in the decision which I have formed, I can 
 do nothing better than communicate it at this time and place. 
 Here is a letter to the commander of the Corvette which you will 
 be kind enough to hand him on your return to the "Mermaid." 
 My terms are as follows : I agree to release all my prisoners with 
 out ransom, provided the commander promises to abstain hereafter 
 from all hostile demonstrations, and agrees to convey as passengers
 
 26(5 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 Philip Grau and his betrothed, Bertha Stamm, and either land 
 both of them safely at some port of Germany, or, it his instruc 
 tions should forbid, see that some other vessel carries out this por 
 tion of the programme." 
 
 The company cast stolen glances at Philip Grau when Herbert 
 ceased. They all felt that this was banishment, a dismissal in dis 
 grace. Philip himself turned deadly pale, but managed to falter : 
 
 " You merely anticipate my wishes, Sennor, by making this re 
 quest, which is superfluous, however, since I have sufficient influ 
 ence with Captain Yerner to secure it for my own sake." 
 
 " Of this I have no doubt, sir," Herbert replied coldly, " as 
 the presence of Lieutenant Detmold clearly proves such influ 
 ence." 
 
 The shower of startled looks at this remark deepened the pallor 
 on Philip s face. 
 
 "Dr. Grau," he said, with an attempt at bravado, "you shall 
 not thus insult me with impunity. I shall appeal 
 
 "Philip," Herbert interrupted him calmly. "Say nothing 
 further, or I may forget that you and I bear the same name, and 
 reveal to those present the whole depravity of your black soul. 
 With you I am done, but I have to say a word to this young lady. 
 Remember, Bertha, that your future is with a man whom I have 
 grave reasons to consider dangerous in the extreme. If you wish 
 to detach yourself from him, I shall enable you to reach your na 
 tive land in safety." 
 
 All eyes were now turned upon Bertha, but she was not the 
 person to become easily embarrassed. With the deliberate coolness 
 we have noticed in her before, she replied.: 
 
 " I thank you, Uncle, for your kind interest and advice ; but I 
 cannot benefit by them, as my destiny is irrevocably linked to this 
 man. While I am not blind to his shortcomings, 1 love him ; I love 
 him with all the fervor of my soul, and could no more struggle 
 against this passion than swim against the current of Niagara. So 
 with him I shall share joy and sorrow as long as a spark of life 
 animates my body." 
 
 Yery strong passion is apt to impress us, and there was not 
 one present who thought her confession either unwomanly or ri 
 diculous. Philip himself was powerfully affected by it. While all
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 267 
 
 others cast him oft , this woman, whom he had wronged so deeply, 
 was the only one to adhere to him, in spite of the ominous light 
 which Herbert s insinuations could not help casting upon him. The 
 little good pervading his nature was stirred, and seizing Bertha s 
 hand, he said : 
 
 " I thank you, Bertha. Trust in me ; my future life will prove 
 that you have not put your trust in me in vain." 
 
 The company then arose. While Philip and Bertha made 
 preparations for a departure which, in all probability, would be an 
 early one, Lieutenant Detmold devoted himself with so much zeal 
 to the wooing of Inez s favor that Arthur took pity on him and in 
 formed him of the tender ties which bound the fair maiden to him. 
 This revelation struck the young officer like a thunderbolt. He re 
 mained silent a moment, then rallying, he said, almost fiercely : 
 
 " Why the deuce didn t you tell me sooner? " 
 
 "Sooner?" Arthur returned; " you seem to forget that you 
 have been here only an hour or so. How could I imagine that you 
 would be all fire and flame so soon ? " 
 
 The other reflected a moment ; then replied : " You are right, 
 and I beg your pardon for my rudeness. Still, how could a fellow 
 witness such loveliness, and not be captivated by it ? I fear that I 
 have this day received a wound which will not heal for many a day 
 to come." 
 
 " Nonsense, lieutenant, cheer up ; you will soon get over this 
 spell and laugh at your infatuation. But here conies father, let us 
 see what he has in store for us." 
 
 Herbert stepped to the pair and said: "Lieutenant, it pains 
 me to interrupt a conversation which seems to interest you ; but it 
 is two o clock, and if you wish to reach the Corvette to-night, you 
 will have to make haste. I shall be pleased to see you again ; in 
 deed, I hope your Captain will make you the bearer of his answer 
 and give you a few days furlough to give us a chance to show you 
 the attractions of Friedensthal." 
 
 The young man sighed heavily, then replied : 
 
 " Dr. Grau, I fear I have already seen too much of the at 
 tractions of this colony for my own good ; you will therefore excuse 
 me if I do not join you in your wish. The sooner I leave and for 
 get this valley the better it will be for my peace of mind."
 
 268 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 A glance of the speaker at Inez interpreted his meaning to his 
 host. Herbert knew that the story of the broken heart is only a 
 myth ; but he also knew that youth feels very keenly, and there 
 fore sympathized with the young Werther. 
 
 Pressing his hand warmly, he said : " Wait then, until the 
 wound is healed, which will be sooner than you now imagine. At 
 all events, consider me your friend, and if ever I can be of service 
 to you, or you get tired of the Old World, do not hesitate to turn 
 your steps hither, and you will be sure of a cordial reception." 
 
 The youth wrung the hand of the other with an exhuberant 
 fervor, exclaiming: "By Hercules, it would not take much per 
 suasion to bring me here, for what I have seen is very enticing. 
 There is an absence of ceremony, a natural cordiality which won 
 my heart, and if they pester me too much with their conventional 
 ities across the ocean, you may see me before you think." 
 
 " I repeat that in such a case you will be sure of a hearty re 
 ception." 
 
 Another thanks, another handshake, and the two parted. In 
 saying farewell to Inez the young soldier endeavored to maintain a 
 stoical composure befitting his profession ; yet his eyes grew moist 
 and he could not help laying into his glance all the feeling his 
 tongue was forbidden to utter. Inez would not have been the quick 
 witted girl she was if she had failed to notice the deep impression 
 she had produced on the youth. Although she was sorry for the 
 pain she had unintentionally inflicted on the young man, she could 
 not help appreciating the compliment his admiration paid her, and 
 with the feelings of a true woman she made her farewell to him as 
 cordial as circumstances would permit. The young man s depart 
 ure was a hasty one, and the journey rather silent. They reached 
 the Dolphin shortly before dark, and half an hour later Lieutenant 
 Detmold departed for the mouth of the Rio Frio in a small boat 
 pulled by four stalwart sailors of the Dolphin. He promised to re 
 turn as soon as possible, and so faithfully did he execute this prom 
 ise that the boat once more shot under the bow of the Dolphin be 
 fore the tenth hour of the following morning had expired. He 
 shook hands with Arthur with a feverish energy, saying : 
 
 AVell, 1 weathered this storm better than I had any reason to 
 expect. My captain, as well as my mates, laughed heartily at
 
 The Treasure of Monfezuma, 269 
 
 what they were kind enough to call my bathing tour. Captain 
 Verner, moreover, was so favorably impressed by Mr. Grau s letter 
 that he has resolved upon a visit to the wonderful colony of Frie- 
 densthal and will be here this afternoon. Now, if it were not for 
 the heart sore which your enchanted princess has inflicted upon 
 me I would like nothing better than to accompany him on his jour 
 ney. 
 
 "Nonsense!" Arthur exclaimed; "be a man and face the 
 trial. Remember that women like heroes, and Inez will think all 
 the better of you for your return. Moreover, we have many lovely 
 women besides her in Montezuma, and who knows but you may 
 find one capable and inclined to undertake your cure. But excuse 
 me ; I must at once telegraph to father. He will never pardon me, 
 if, by my negligence he would lose the chance of impressing this 
 captain of yours with the strength, richness and beauty of his 
 colony." 
 
 "This will surely be an easy task ; all you have to do will be 
 to conduct him as you did me through the length of this wonder 
 ful valley." 
 
 "Something of the kind will probably be done ; but if father 
 acts upon my advice, lie will add what the Germans call some 
 "Knalleffect. But I must be off, so fare you well." 
 
 Arthur first sought the presence of Arturo and entered with 
 him into an earnest and animated conversation, at the close of 
 which the latter said: "I perfectly agree with you, and while you 
 telegraph to Montezuma I shall get ready to assist uncle Herbert 
 in the preparations you suggest. There must be somebody here to 
 receive the visitors, and as you can do this so much better than I, I 
 shall go and assume duties for which I am better qualified. Do 
 not fail to telegraph the exact moment of your departure to the 
 valley." 
 
 With these words he went to the elevator and a moment later 
 boarded a special locomotive, which started as soon as steam could 
 be raised. Arthur, on the other hand, went to the telegraph office 
 and wired a lengthy message to Herbert, to which he received the 
 short but evidently satisfactory reply, "All right," for he went to 
 work with a will, and soon had the entire crew and guard engaged 
 in putting the steamer in readiness fdr the distinguished visitors.
 
 270 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 The deck was scrubbed, flags, streamers and bunting of German 
 and Mexican devices hoisted in profusion to the mast heads and 
 rigging, and finally the tables for a sumtuous repast were spread 
 upon the deck. The band of the steamer, strengthed by vol 
 unteers from the militia, received instructions as to the character 
 of the music they were to perform, and finally the guns of the 
 Dolphin were charged for a salute of welcome on the arrival of the 
 strangers. 
 
 Thus the time flew rapidly and at five o clock a sailboat with 
 the visitors on board hove in sight. When it had approached to 
 the distance of about five hundred yards, twenty five shots were 
 fired and a mighty German flag in black, red and gold was hoisted 
 to the flagstaff, where a favorable breeze spread it in all its beauty. 
 Then the band struck up "What is the German s Fatherland," in 
 which every living soul on board the Dolphin soon joined with 
 commendable zeal and with tolerable execution. The crew of the 
 approaching boat caught the infection, and when it touched the 
 hull of the Dolphin, they sang as vigorously as their hosts. Stairs 
 had been provided to facilitate the ascent, and when Captain Ver- 
 ner appeared at the gunwale Arthur stood ready to receive him. 
 Both sailors and marines had been drawn up in line and at a signal 
 from Arthur they fired a salute. 
 
 Our friend then offered the stranger his right hand and said: 
 "In the name of the head of this colony and its people I bid you a 
 cordial welcome. Permit me to express our common hope that this 
 visit may lead to a firm bond of love and friendship between the 
 Fatherland and the sons of Friedensthal." 
 
 Captain Verner was visibly moved. Clasping the proffered 
 hand and giving it a hearty pressure, he said : 
 
 "I thank you for a reception whose cordiality contrasts strange 
 ly with my own conduct towards you and yours. Believe me, when 
 I tell you that only the grossest misrepresentation of one in whose 
 veracity I had been led to believe, prompted me to actions which I 
 now heartily regret." 
 
 " Say nothing more," Arthur said politely; "we all felt there 
 must be some misunderstanding, and would sincerely thank you for 
 letting bygones be bygones, for it pains me to see a brave man 
 making apologies."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 271 
 
 "In other words you want to save me further humiliation. 
 Very well, sir, I accept an assistance so gracefully bestowed ; but I 
 shall make a mental note of this and trust the day may come when 
 I can repay my debt with interest. But here is my embassador. 
 Lieutenant, can you not give me an introduction to this courteous 
 gentleman ? " 
 
 "It is Mr. Arthur Grau, superintendent of the Friedensthal 
 mines, but 1 can testify that he is well versed in many other arts 
 and sciences, as his campaign against my forces abundantly proves." 
 
 "In watercure, for instance ; hey Lieutenant? Well, I thought 
 as much, and am glad my expectations were fully realized. But 
 permit me to make you acquainted with my companions." 
 
 The mutual representations were then attended to, after which 
 supper was announced. Arthur conducted Captain Verner to his 
 seat, and, when all had taken their places, a banquet was inaugu 
 rated which by its peculiar surroundings, the strange composition 
 of its participants and the excellence of its courses and wines cer 
 tainly ranks high amongst spreads of a similar character. One could 
 readily discover that Captain Verner enjoyed himself intensely 
 and that his liking for his hosts, and especially Arthur, increased 
 from minute to minute. 
 
 It was ten o clock when the party finally arose, Arthur urging 
 an early retirement, to enable the visitors to endure the fatigue of 
 the next day. After a cordial "good night" all parted, and soou 
 found the slumber which seamen need not long court even under 
 the most difficult circumstances. 
 
 Early in the morning they were astir, and, after a hasty break 
 fast, prepared for the ride in the new romantic land. Besides the 
 captain, four of the subordinate officers of the Mermaid were to 
 participate in the journey. Three of them had come with their 
 commander and the fourth was Lieutenant Detmold, who had 
 finally reached the conclusion that a brave man must be as ready to 
 face the songs of the sirens as the bellowing of cannons. Besides, 
 he had traversed this wonderland before, and might do some service 
 to his companions as prompter. 
 
 The captain had undoubtedly been in a measure prepared for 
 what he was to see ; but this did not at all prevent him from falling 
 a prey to an astonishment which increased every second and was soon
 
 272 Thf T feature of Montezuma. 
 
 fully as great as that of Detmold the day before. Perhaps he had 
 not fully credited the hitter s wonderful story ; perhaps the sights 
 presenting themselves to his view had in them elements calculated 
 to destroy even the composure of even the strongest mind. How 
 ever this may have been, it is certain that the bewilderment of the 
 commander was fully as intense on his arrival at Monte/Aima : s that 
 of his lieutenant had been on the former occasion In addition to 
 the natural attractions of the valley, the demonstrations of wel 
 come and respect manifested by the people at all points undoubtedly 
 added to the pleasurable emotions of the captain. Cannon were fired, 
 flags and banners hoisted, strains of martial music filled the air, 
 and other tokens of regard were indulged in, reaching a climax when 
 the train entered the lofty hall doming the depot at Montezuma. 
 Double rows of handsome maidens dressed in spotless white lined 
 the platform, and when the captain passed through them with head 
 uncovered, one of them handed him a beautiful boquet and wel 
 comed him with well set words to Montezuma. The visitor was so 
 overwhelmed by all these demonstrations that, man of the world 
 though he was, he found it difficult to thank her for the kind senti 
 ments expressed. Nor had he time to collect his thoughts; for on 
 leaving the depot he encountered a man of commanding stature 
 whose gaze was at once so benevolent and yet so authorative that 
 the visitor could not help doing him homage by a deep bow. 
 
 "Dr. ( irau," Arthur introduced. 
 
 " Who considers himself fortunate to have the opportunity of 
 welcoming in this valley a representative of the valient navy of 
 his Fatherland. Be kind enough to take a seat in this carriage 
 which will take us to my house for a little collation. Arthur see 
 that the other gentlemen are provided for in a similar manner." 
 
 " I am entirely at your disposal," was all the captain could 
 replv. 
 
 He felt himself lifted into a splendid open carriage, drawn by 
 four superb horses of the purest white. His host took a seat by his 
 side, but even then the visitor found it impossible to enter upon a 
 coherent conversation, for one demonstration crowded upon another, 
 engaging all the attention of which the stranger was capable. A 
 salute of twelve guns shook the air, and six times in succession did 
 they belch forth their fiery contents. A company of soldiers was
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 273 
 
 posted in front of the carriage, being in turn headed by a brass band 
 which, on a signal from Herbert, began to play a national strain, 
 and set itself in motion. The park with its stately trees, its spark 
 ling fountains and gay flower beds was in itself au object of no lit 
 tle attraction ; but to-day the military array and gaily dressed 
 thousands of curious spectators greatly enhanced its charms. Over 
 six thousand soldiers lined the sides of the streets, presenting arms 
 while the carriages passed, and then, forming into line six abreast, 
 marched after them, until the procession halted at Herbert s Villa. 
 At the head of the steps leading to the veranda, Inez received the 
 guests, convincing the commander as well as his subordinates that 
 Detwold s ordeal had indeed been a severe one. The guests were 
 lead into the dining room to partake of a dinner which, in splendor 
 and variety, far outstripped the banquet on board the Dolphin. 
 We have neither the time nor desire to paint the details of this 
 lucullian entertainment, but we must chronicle the almost con- 
 temptuous mein with which Captain Verner acknowledged his in 
 troduction to Philip Grau. 
 
 He pretended not to see the proffered hand, and the bow he 
 made was so stiff as to engender the idea that his spine consisted 
 of an iron rod. Of course, Philip fumed inwardly ; but just then 
 he was much like a rattlesnake whose fangs have been extracted. 
 He grew pallid with rage and vowed to himself that both his rela 
 tive and this haughty officer should suffer for the open contempt 
 with which they treated him, and the reader may rest assured that 
 he was the man to remember such vows and to seize every oppor 
 tunity to fulfill them. 
 
 After the repast Herbert proposed a journey through the full 
 extent of the valley, a suggestion eagerly accepted by the guests. 
 The electric street railway conveyed them to the depot, where they 
 boarded a special train, which carried them to the northern ex 
 tremity. They visited the mines of Minersville, the factories of 
 Ironton, and all the other wonders of this wonderful valley. It 
 would not only be tedious, but simply impossible, to chronicle the 
 exclamations of suprise, delight and acknowledgement constantly 
 uttered by the visitors. It must suffice to record the remark which 
 Captain Verner addressed to Herbert after the return to the Villa. 
 
 " Dr. Grau," he said ; " I am not a man of many words. You
 
 274 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 may rest assured that I mean what I say when I tell you that what 
 I saw to-day is the most wonderful thing that I ever gazed upon. 
 If a man is to be measured by his achievements (and I think he 
 ought to be), you are surely the most remarkable person I ever 
 met." 
 
 " Why Captain, I thought you seaman were above such flattery," 
 Herbert replied with a good-natured laugh. 
 
 "Flattery be hanged!" exclaimed the other, becoming very 
 plain in his demonstrations ; " Why, you have almost made a con 
 vert of me. I never believed much in these new-fangled theories 
 of equality, fraternity and socialism ; but I ll be hanged if it 
 would take much to persuade me to become a disciple of yours." 
 
 "You would surely be heartily welcome," Herbert said cor 
 dially, the same good-natured smile still playing around his lips. 
 
 "Would I now? .By St. George, I shall remember these words, 
 and if too many reptiles " with a significant glance at Philip 
 " cross my path over there, perhaps I may take you at your word 
 sooner than you imagine." 
 
 AVhen the evening s festivities were over, Captain Verner said 
 a cordial adieu to his host, declining all further offers of hospital 
 ity on the plea of duty. "I must be on board the Mermaid to 
 morrow morning," he said so positively that Herbert could not well 
 urge the point. " I thank you heartily for your generous hospital 
 ity and "-- he lowered his voice to a whisper " for the lesson yon 
 have taught me. If ever they want to bother you again, they must 
 choose another tool. I would sooner resign my commission than 
 raise my hand against you once more." 
 
 "You tell them of the strength of our position," Herbert re 
 plied, smiling, "and I think they will abstain from further at 
 tempts to crack the hard nut." 
 
 " I think so myself. Besides, you may depend on my setting 
 you right with our authorities." 
 
 " P^verything ready ? Well, good-bye, Dr. Grau, I part with a 
 heavy heart from you and yours. It is not very pleasant for a man 
 to find out at my age that he has been on the wrong track all his 
 life." 
 
 "Then make a turn, Captain ; never too late to learn, you 
 know."
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 275 
 
 " Well, I may ; but I shall do nothing rash, and ponder well 
 before taking a step which cannot be recalled. Good bye, good 
 bye!" 
 
 With these words they parted, Philip and Bertha accompanying 
 him. 
 
 The latter was unusually affected. She embraced both Herbert 
 and Inez with deep emotion and wrung Arthur s hand with almost 
 painful fervor. While she could not control the passion she felt 
 for Philip, she felt that he had played a disgraceful role in the val 
 ley, and evidently wished to offer her an affectionate farewell as a 
 slight atonement for his perfidy. 
 
 As for Philip, he was too completely unmasked to make any 
 further attempt at dissimulation, and the others were too deeply 
 disgusted with his duplicity to feign a sorrow which they were far 
 from feeling. So he parted with a chilling coldness, with only the 
 observance of the barest civilities. Even Arturo drew a breath of 
 relief, when the door closed upon him ; nor was the intercourse be 
 tween the exile and Captain Verner any more cordial. Their con 
 versation was reduced to the interchange of remarks absolutely 
 necessary, and so galling was the open contempt of the commander 
 and his officers for their passenger that the latter demanded to be 
 landed at the nearest point to the Mexican capital, threatening 
 openly, before leaving, that he would inform his governmentof the 
 strange conduct of its servants. The captain received this threat 
 with silent contempt, and felt relieved when the intriguer left his 
 vessel. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE CROWNING OF THE WORK. 
 
 In Monte/uma everything soon fell back into the wonted rou 
 tine. A delightful calm settled upon the family, and they talked 
 and acted as if a heavy burden had been taken off their minds. 
 Arturo was given a place in the administration, and it did not take
 
 270 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 him long to show that he was made of good material, which 
 came to light when the dross had been removed. 
 
 The judges dispensed in his case with the customary term of 
 probation, and, a week later, he and Clara were joined in wedlock. 
 The bride was all blushes and received the congratulations of her 
 friends with a mien so full of bliss and rapture that there was no 
 doubt of the perfect happiness which had fallen to her share. 
 
 Time flies as rapidly in Friedensthal as elsewhere, or rather 
 faster, for the reader knows well that the minutes are most lightly 
 winged where joy and happiness have taken up their abode. He 
 will, therefore, not wonder when we tell him that the day which 
 was to bring independence and self-government to the colonists 
 made its appearance much more quickly than they had expected, 
 and, strange to say, wished. Independence is always coupled with 
 duty, and duty with care. The rule of Herberthad been so gentle, 
 so benevolent , so beneficent that the colonists had been spoiled and 
 become indifferent to a blessing which we are apt to miss most in 
 misrule. Herbert was aware of this feeling ; he knew its danger to 
 the future liberties of his coloni-ts, and it was principally for this 
 reason that he refused to prolong his period of paternal rule. 
 
 I have outlined the principles underlying Herbert s institutions 
 in my story ; it is therefore unnecessary to give at this place the 
 constitution which the people were to adopt or reject on the 
 day of election. The day set for it broke fair ; fair even for the 
 happy clime of Frit densthal. The entire valley assumed a holiday 
 attire. The shops, the stores and the schools were closed, and the 
 people swarmed from their houses like bees seeking new quarters. 
 Jt was conjectured that, with this freedom from work, all the votes 
 could, and would be cast by noon, leaving the afternoon for the 
 celebration of the festivities which had been arranged throughout 
 the valley. X or was this conjecture wrong. After twelve o clock 
 no one approached the poles, which were then closed. The count 
 ing of the votes began at once, but it soon became evident that the 
 work was merely a matter of form, not a single " no " making its 
 appearance. At four o clock the result was no longer to be doubted, 
 :md salutes of artillery announced the momentous event to the 
 people. Of course, only comparatively few could hear him, no 
 matter how eagerly they crowded around the tribune ; but as
 
 The Treasure of Montezuma. 277 
 
 all were anxious to hear what their father, friend and benefactor 
 had to say to them on this occasion, the address had been printed, 
 and was circulated in thousands of copies all over the valley. 
 It read : 
 " Friends and Associates: 
 
 You have, this morning, performed a political act of the 
 utmost importance. You have, by your votes, adopted the princi 
 ples which have guided your steps these twenty-five years, and led 
 you to safety, happiness and prosperity. Hitherto 1 have watched 
 over you and seen to the faithful execution of these very princi 
 ples. From to-day it will be your duty to exercise such vigilance 
 yourselves. A great boon is worth the trouble of preserving it ; I 
 trust you will cheerfully bring the little sacrifice of a few hours 
 labor to guard a treasure for the thoughtless loss of which your 
 children s children would curse you. Watch over it with the most 
 zealous vigilance. Do not allow the slightest infringment of the 
 fundamental principles forming your constitution. Keep secular 
 and religious matters strictly separate. Preserve the most absolute 
 liberty of thought, speech and belief. Do not allow the land of 
 your colony, this inalienable common property of all, to become 
 the property of individuals. Let it and the treasures found in its 
 bowels alone bear the brunt of taxation ; be very careful not to 
 tax the industries of your fellows or to put a premium on shrewd 
 speculation which, ninety-nine cases in a hundred, is nothing but 
 legalized robbery. Keep the interest for loans at the present low 
 rate, thereby compelling even the rich man, to work with his hands 
 or his brains for a living. Educate all your children alike, and 
 thus give them all an equal chance. At present it is not necessary 
 to feed any of them at public expense ; nor will this necessity ever 
 occur here, I feel assured, if you live up to the spirit as well as the 
 letter of your constitution ; but should, by some calamity or other, 
 poverty raise its hideous head among you, be very careful not to 
 discriminate between the children of the rich and the poor. If you 
 do ; if you allow the latter to grow up with advantages over the 
 less favored ones, you give your institutions a death stroke, under 
 which they will soon perish. I do not much fear such deplorable 
 conditions here, but if ever they occur, combine all the wisdom, 
 patriotism and virtue of the colony to avert their fatal conse 
 quences.
 
 278 The Treasure of Montezuma. 
 
 " I have always tried to impress you with the truth that justice, 
 not charity, ought to guide your intercourse with one another. 
 The latter degrades the recipient and is absolutely unnecesssary, if 
 the former is your rule of action. And witli his birth every 
 body has the right of enjoying happiness, and only the gross 
 est injustice on the part of others can deprive him of this birth 
 right. Yet, strange to say, such injustice is almost universally the 
 rule, and not the exception, a circumstance well calculated to fill 
 me with the fear that you, too, at some distant day, may lose sight 
 of this fundamental axiom. 
 
 " To-day, at this very hour, the deed, making over this beauti 
 ful valley to you and yours is being recorded in the Archives of 
 the Capitol. From this moment I shall be no richer than any of 
 you ; but do not forget that I have made you merely stewards of 
 this wealth for the benefit of the entire race and unborn genera 
 tions. Show yourselves worthy of this magnificent gift by aiding, 
 to the best of your ability, outsiders who, laboring under the yoke 
 of secular or spiritual tyrants, look to you for deliverance from 
 such bondage. 
 
 " You are composed of many nationalities. Do not cling, then, 
 to one particular race or land, but, placing yourselves on the broad 
 platform of cosmopolitanism, work at and for the emancipation of 
 all. I could add many words to these ; but it is not only since yes 
 terday that I have lived and worked amongst you. You all know 
 my principles, which are, moreover, embodied in the constitution 
 you have to-day adopted. I have given you many millions ; but 
 the legacy I leave you in this instrument outweighs by far the 
 treasures of Monte/Aima. You all know how these treasures have 
 enabled me to carry out my ideas of an existence worthy of the hu 
 man race ; but only in this sense these millions have the right to 
 be introduced as factors in our relations to one another. Let them 
 be subservient to the true interests of mankind, and they are a 
 blessing ; but let them assume the mastership and enslave mankind 
 for the furtherance of selfish purposes, and they assume a hostile, 
 yea, truly fiendish character, before which the real welfare of the 
 race perishes as the dry grass before the fiery breath of the flame." 
 
 I have but little to add. Arthur and Inez at the end of the 
 year of probation became united in the bonds of matrimony.
 
 The Treasure of Monteznma. 279 
 
 They have ever since continued to form a shining example for the 
 young people of the valley, which has long since lost the character 
 of seclusion, and is sending forth every year apostles whose duty 
 and delight it is to preach to the world the principles governing the 
 happy colonists of Friedeusthal. Herbert Grau is still among the 
 living. He has become young again in the games he plays with 
 his grandchildren ; but while he continues to assist the colonists 
 with his advice, he strictly abstains from exercising any arbitrary 
 authority which might create a precedent for later counsellors, both 
 less wise and disinterested. 
 
 THE END.
 
 ucsou 
 
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