The Washington times., 1911-04-27

r r AIGH gave a little shout OF
- aboriginal joy; he was quite
Il Il boldly savage in his desires;
his experience had left in
him small pity for men such as Fetter
and his associates. So that he was very
joyful to see Fetter come to a halt,
jerkily clutching at his breast. The man
stood thus swaying for a moment in
the brilliant sunlight, and then his COM
panion turned to him and caught him
in his arms. Fetter evidently objected,
for the native let him down gently upon
the ground, and again ran toward the
house yelling.
But the lucky shot had saved the hour
for the Americans. Haigh had not
stopped when Curtice did, and now his
horse had carried him to a position
which made 1t impossible for the runner
TO reach the entrance before him.
Through 1t Daniel could see a peon
fastening to close the door. The little
mans arm swung up mechanically, and
the revolver spoke almost before he
knew that he had fired. At this he peon
lunged forward and fell prone.
BULLY! cried Daniel. II did hit some
thing, for once!
AS he swung from his horse and dart
ed through the door. he had no thought of
Norah, curiously enough; his mind was
completely occupied with a wonder as to
whether the peon had hurt his face in
falling. He did not stop to see. but ran
on through the dark passageway into
. the patio. where he stopped and gazed
stupidity about.
Possibly he had expected to find
Norah waiting him there; but he did
not. The place seemed deserted; but
before long he heard the firing of a
revolver, and a squirt Of dust kicked up
near his feet. Then he became aware
that some one was popping away at
him from one Of the bedrooms across
the courtyard. He replied, en1ptying
his gun at the window at the same
time stepping behind one Of the gallery
pillars for shelter-shelter which, 1t
seemed, he was not to need; for the
man in the bedroom gave cry and did
not fire again.
iel muttered, his mind reverting to the
chance shot in the bodega, which had
brought down an enemy. Il seem to
Improve with practice"
You're doing pretty well for a little
fat man.
1t was Curtice who spoke. and Daniel
turned to find him at his elbow.
The cap'n and the mozo are taking
care of the other fellow continued
Curtice. Come along, let's see"
they might find no one whom they
sought was gripping his heart. Nor did
Daniel make reply, he having something
Of the same thought. So the two frienos
ran along the gallery to the rear of
the house where they found frighten-
ed woman servant, too terrified to an
swer Curtice's frantic questions.
They ran back again, stopping to try
the doors. In one room they found.
nauzht but a cot, ana in another they
tdrned from the staring eyes of dead
man, who had a little hole drilled In
the middle of his forehead. But further
along, on the other side of the gallery,
they came to a door which was locked.
i, ,Nr.l,
fell haltingly from his lips.
When he got an answer from within.
his heart choked in his throat for very
JOY He put a shoulder to that door,
and 1t crashed in as If it had been manu-
factured of thin paper. rather than
some men can do when they love and
the loved one is in peril.
Daniel, too, heard that answering coll.
He waited until he saw the girl come
he saw the light that was in her eyes
not for him-he went away very softly,
back TO the passageway: There was q
sharp pain In his breast.
The captain was just entering, with
tAe mozo.
fsn't she there?" he demanded, as
Daniel rather precipitately barred his
way.
Daniel severely, and a dodgasted old
fool, and
"OhI" said the captain. why in
thunder didn't you say so, if that's the
case?'
Maybe I didn't know it myself" re-
piled Daniel. Help q fellow to carry
this out, will youP" He indicated the
body of the dead peon, but nevertheless
he sat down suddenly, winking hard.
Here, little man. cried the captain.
he T,aaffarop
Daniel turned upon him a hard, dry
eye Il was meditating," he said with
firmness, "on the stranseness OF things,
and considering what bad man I'm
turning out to be. Here I've gone and
killed two total strangers"
Wouldn't let that worry you. ]
plugged the greaser out there; and
Curtice has done for Fetter.
$50 much the better. There'll be a
hot old time down below when the vic
Tins of this little engagement begin to
stragSle in"'