Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-17

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"Where Is Ricardo and Thy Mother?"
could he be, then? Did she not even
know of his disappearance? What
had she been doing2
For answer, she took Pedro's face
between her old hands that were like
withered leaves.
"Dost thou know who is in the
city? she asked. "Thine enemy and
mine, RicardoI He struck me, and !
was senseless. But when mine eyes
opened, arose and went in search of
him. took the long, slender machete
with the handle of pearl, but | found
him not. There was woman with
"Yes,' said Pedro, my mother"
Then thou, too, hast seen himl
Where?" she asked eagerly. "And
with thy mother? Surely you are
mad?"
mot mad, only bewildered and
frightened" he answered. Il know
where they are, but not for what pur.
pose! | shall tell thee all that l have
seen, but not now. Can't you hear the
others saying that my benefactor has
vanished2 Before anything else we
must find and help him, If need be-"
"Where are Ricardo and thy mother?"
asked Nita, her eyes fixed upon Pc
dro's, and her hand closed tightly
upon some object that was hidden
among the bundled shawls and scarfs
about her waist. Pedros eye followed
the movement.
"lt is very far from here, oh, ancient
lady," he lied glibly, "and l shall not
tell you where until I return. Then
we shall attend to your little matter,
and I shall see why and how my
mother comes In such company. My
mother!" he turned away and sighed.
Il had forgotten how l loved her!" he
said as though to himself. Then he
picked up the pole and chain and sig
nailed to Beau-Jean that he was ready.
Nita arose to her feet.
where is the murderer, the Sc
| VI my uduSul0li bhO oSi CdhhCo'
Where is Ricardo?"
AT the other end of the city," said
Pedro. "Come quickly. Beau-Jean."
And with that they were off, leaving
Nita screeching imprecations at them
from the stair-head, In the most
healthy manner. AS they reached the
street Beau-Jean asked:
"What Is all this murder business
of which Nita talks? Couldn't we man
age to avenge her, when we have
found Samhill?"
Perhaps" said Pedro soberly, "for
this man, Ricardo Valdez, is a very
wicked man. He used to live near
my home. Nita was my nurse, once,
and her daughter was my foster-sister.
When she was only fifteen Ricardo
stole her away Then he deserted her,
and when she came back to us she
killed herself and her baby. Ever
since Nita has been looking for him,
to avenge her child. But she is so
old now, that think we had best not
let her do 1t. I am sure she would
really prefer dying with US, to dying
in jail"
: Il agree" said Beau-Jean.
"And now which way shall we
turn ?" said Pedro.
GAS the bear came from the river
let US to the river CO." suggested
Beau-Jean.
"A good notion" said Pedro, "and
as likely to prove fruitful as any"
More likely uptown than down
from here" said Beau-Jean, and again
Pedro aesented.
And so, in accordance with the plan
If plan It could be properly called, they
: made their way westward, straight
toward the docks, and, once reaching
them. began pilgrimage uptown.
Mr.. Jones now began acting in q
most peculiar manner Something or
: the sidewalk had attracted his atten
tion, and nothing could divert hin
until he had made a thorough inspec
tion. To Beau-Jean and to Pedro
: there appeared to be nothing on the
pavement but a good deal of dirt ant
refuse; but one particular spot seemed
to have fascinated Mr.. Jones, ant
there was nothing for it but to stant
waiting while he nosed about.
shall chasten him?" asked Beau
Jean, who was accustomed to usint
this method with Koko.
mo, certainly not" said Pedro, !"
believe he's been here before. Per
haps he recognizes something. Let u
watch!"
Pedro's surmise was an eminentl,
; correct one. for Mr.. Jones had recoe
. nized-honeyi Very shortly he raise'