The Snowflake herald., 1917-10-12

got your man." Blaze suffered his
surprise and incredulity. 81 mean it.
It's Jose Sanchez, and he has con-
fessed. l want you to come here,
quick; and come alone, if you don't
mind. l need your help"
Inside of ten minutes Jones piloted
his automobile into the clearing beside
the river, and, leaving his motor run
ming, leaped from the car.
Dave met him at the door of the
Morales house and briefly told him the
story of Jose's capture.
"Say That's quick work" the
rancher cried, admiringly. "Why, Ed
ain't cold yet You gave him the WA
ter-cure,' eh? Now 1 reckoned it would
take more than water to make Mexi-
can talk"
"Jose was hired for the work; he
laid for Ed Austin in the pecan grove
and shot him as he passed"
"Hired! Why this hombre needs
quick hangin', don't he? told 'em at
Las Palmas that you'd rounded up the
guilty party, so l reckon they'll be here
in few minutes. Well just stretch
this horse-wrangler, and save the cOun-
ty some expense" Law shrugged. "Do
what you like with him, butt isn't
necessary. He'll confess in regulation
form, Tn sure. had to work fast to
learn what became of Mrs. Austin"
"Miz Austin? What's happened to
herr"
Dawes voice changed; there was
sudden quickening of his words.
They've got her, Blaze. They waited
until they had her safe before they
killed Ed"
"TheyY Who are you talkin'
about"
Il mean Longorio and his outfit. He's
got her over yonder." Dave flung out
trembling hand toward the river.
Seeing that his hearer failed to COM
prehend, he explained, swiftly: "He's
crazy about hcr-gOt one of those
Mexican infatuations-and you know
what that means. He couldn't steal
her from Las Palmas-she wouldn't
have anything to do with him-so he
used that old cattle deal as an excuse
to get her across the border. Then he
put Ed out of the way. She went of
her own accord, and she didn't tell
Austin, because they were having
trouble. She's gone to La Feria, Blaze"
la Feria! Then she's in for it,
Dave nodded his agreement; for the
first time Blaze noted how white and
set was his friends face.
"Longorio must have foreseen what
was coming" Dave went on. "That
country's aflame; Americans aren't
safe over there. If war is declared
good many of them will never be heard
from. He knows that. He's got her
safe. She can't get out"
Blaze was very grave when next he
spoke. "Dave, this is bad-bad. l
can't understand what made her go.
Why, she must have been out of her
head. But we've got to do something.
We've got to burn the wires to Wash
ington-yes, and to Mexico City. We
must get the, government to send sol
diers after her. What have we got 'em
for, anyhow?"
washington won't do anything
What can be done when there are thou
sands of American women in the same
danger? What steps can the govern
ment take with diplomatic relations
suspended? Those greasers are filling
their jails with our people-rounding
'em up for the day Of the big break.
No, Longorio saw it all coming-he's
no fool. He's got her; she's in there
trapped"
Blaze took the speaker by the shoul-
der and faced him about 'Look here"
said he, "Tm beginnin' to get wise to
you. l believe yOu're-the man in the
case" When Dave nodded, he vented
his amazement in a long whistle. After
a moment he asked, "Well, why did you
want me to come here alone, ahead of
the Others?"
Because 1 want you to know the
whole inside of this thing so that Won
can get busy when I'm gone; because |
want to borrow what money you
have"
"WIat you amin to pull OFF," Blaze
inquired, suspiciously.
''rm going to find her and bring her
out"
"You? Why, Dave, you can't get
through. This is a job for the sol
diers."
But Dave hardly seemed to hear him.
"You must start things moving at