The state herald., 1917-08-10

eled rifle; but when Dave had
made known his identity. he invited
him In, though with surly reluctance.
Lewis was n sandy-compleXioned
man Of about forty, with colorless
brows and mean, shifty eye. For
merly cowboy, he had by the exer-
else OF some natural ability acquired n
good propcrty--and bad reputation.
Just how or why he had prospered
was mystery which his neighbors
never tired of discussing.
Tad, 1t seemed, resented any inter
ruption Of his rest, and showed the
fact plainly.
Yes, he employed fellow named
Urbina. What was wanted of him?
Law explained briefly.
"Why, he's one of my best men!"
laughed the rancher. "He wouldn't
steal nothing"
"Well, had to shoot another good
man of yours" Dave said quietly.
Lewis fell back step. (which one?
Whof" he inquired quickly.
"PinO GarZa." Dave told Of the
meeting Mt the branding fire and Its
outcome. He was aware, meanwhile,
that Lewis family were listening. for
behind half-open bedroom door he
could hear nm excited whispering.
"Killed the first shot. eh?" Tad was
dumfounded. "Now. l never thought
Pine was that bad. But you never can
tell about these Grcascrs. cnn you?
They'll all steal II they get a chance.
1 let Pine go, bout week back; but
he's been hangin' around. aimin' to
visit some Of his relatives up In the
brush country. II was probably one
of them old Guzmnn saw. Anyhow, II
couldn't Of been Adolfo Urbina; he
was over to Las Palmas all the after
nOOn."
"Did you send him there?'
"Sure. Ed Austin cnn tell you"
"Whcre Is Urblna nowT'
81 reckon he's asleep somewhere.
Wen dig him up md talk to him, II
you say So"
But Adolfo Urblna wns nowhere to
be found. No one had seen him since
about seven o'clock. nor could II be dis
covered where he was spending the
night. Dave remembered that 1t had
been about seven when he left Las Pal
mns, and nscertnined. Indirectly, thnt
Tad had telephone. On his way from
Austin's Law had stopped Mt rancho
for II bite TO ent. but he could forgive
himself for the delay II, as he sur
missed. Urblna had been warned by
wire Of his coming.
THAT'S too bad. amt III" Lewis
said. "But he'll be around ngaln In the
morning. and I'll get him for you. You
leave II TO me-"
There was plninly nothing TO do but
ncccpt this offer. since It could avail
nothing To walt here for UrbIna's re-
turn. Unless the fellow gave himself
up. he probably could not be found
now That the alarm wns given. without
n considerable search in view OF
which Dave finally remounted his bor-
rowed horse and rode away In the di.
rection OF Jontsviilc.
II was nft.r daylight when he Dis
mounted stlniy Mt Blaze's gate. He
wns wet TO the skin and bcspattcred
with mud he had been almost con.
SANITY In the saddle for twcnty-four
hours. and Don Rlcnrdo's cow pony
WINS almost exhausted.
Blaze and Pniomn. Of course, were
tremendously Interested In his story.
"Say. now, that's quick work." the
latter exclaimed. heartily. "You'rc
some thIcf.bustcr. Dave, nnd II you'll
Just stny around here little calves can
grow up with some comfort"
When Dave rode TO Jonesvilic. nftcr
breakfast. he found that the body OF
his vlctIin Ind been brought in during
the night. and TINT the town wns ni.
ready buxxing with news OF the encoun.
ter. During tho forenoon Don Ricardo
nnd his sons arrived. bringing nddl-
tionnl Information, which they prompt
iy Impaired TO the Ranger. The Cur.
innns were people Of notion. All three
OF them Ind spent the night on horse
bnck. nnd Pedro had made n discovery.
On tho dny previous Gnrxn hnd been
seen riding In company with n man
nstridc n sorrcl pony. mud this man
Ind been recognized ns Adoifo urbInn.
Pcdro's witness would swear II.
Their distance from Lns Pnlmns nt
the time when they Ind been seen to.
eethcr proved beyond question that un.
less Urblnn bnd flown he could not
have arrived nt the place In question
by noon. the hour Ed Austin had iixcd.
This significant b,t Of information.
however. Dnv" ndviscd the 6uzinnns
not TO n'nhe public for the time being.
Toward mldiny T'nd Lewis and three
oc hla men nrtiyed With the news that