The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-06-07

this Guzman killing. The federal OIL
GERS in Romero didn't frame 1t up"
"No? Who dld?"
Tad Lewis"
Jones started. "What makes you
think that2"
"Listenl Tad was afraid to let ur-
bina come to trial. Rlcardo's dead and
the other witness Is gone. Now draw
your WI conclusions"
Jones was amazed. SAY, Dave" he
cried, that means your case has blown
up, ehf"
Absolutely. Lewis has been selling
wet stock to the federals, and he
probably arranged with some of them
to murder Ricardo"
Blaze cursed cloqucntly. "I'd like to
hang II onto Tad I'd sure clean house
down his way If / was positive"
II m n man over to Romero" Dave
explained further. "Ile tells me Rlcar-
do Is dead. all right. There's n new
grave In the little cemetery above the
town, but there hasn't been II death in
Romero lately" The speaker watched
his friend closely. III we had Ricar-
dos body on this side IL would put
an enc tn all the lies, and perhaps
force Colonel Blanco to make known
the real facts. 1t might even mean Il
case against Tad Lewis"
"What d'you say we 20 over there
and get Ricardo?"
Dave smiled. That's what I've been
lending up to. VIII you take II
Chnnce?"
"Yes."
81 knew you would. All we need Is
n pair Of MeXlcans to-do the work.
| liked Ricardo; I owe him something"
Suppose we're caughtf"
I'm that case We'll have To run for
II, and-I presume I'll be discharged
from the Ranger service"
II amt very good at runnin'-not
from McXiCans." Bla2e'S eyes were
bright and hard at the thought. ITS
more'n possible that, If they discover
us, we can start u nice little war
of our own"
That evening Dave managed 70 get
his Ranger captain by long.distance
telephone, and for some time the two
talked guardedly. When Dave rang
off they had come to u thorough un-
Outstanding.
1t had been an easy matter for Jose
Sanchez 10 secure n leave of absence
from Benito, but AlaIre kew nothing
Whatever about the matter until Jose
himself asked permission 10 see her
on a matter Of importance.
The man had ridden hard most of
the previous night, and his excitement
was patent. Even before he spoke,
realized that panflo'S fate was
known to him, and she decided swiftly
that there must be no further conceal
ment.
"Senora. A terrible thing" Jose
burst forth. ut is strange, unbellev-
able, Ny head whlrls--"
Alalre quicted him, saying In Span
iSh, Calm yourself, Jose, and tell me
everything from the beginning
"But how can I be calm? Panhlo
completely dead. But-you knowf"
Alaire nodded. "I-suSpectcd."
Josc's dark eyes blazcd he bent for
ward eagerly. "What did you suspect,
and why? Tell me ALL"
II was with a peculiar, apprehensive
in her breast that Alairc real
the crisis had come. Heretofore
She had blamed Law, but now. oddly
enough, she found herself Interested In
defending him. AS calmly as she
could, she related all that had led
VI to the tragedy, while Jose listened
with eyes wide and mouth open.
YOU see, ] hal no suspicion Of the
truth" she concluded. at was a ter
rible thing, and Mr.. Law regrets It
deeply. He would have made II report
to the authorities, only-he feared 1t
might embnrraGs me-"
Jose was torn with rage. yet plainly
n prey 10 indccision he rolled his eyes
ana cursed under his breath. "These
Rangers. ~ he muttercd. "That Is the
Kind cf men they are. They murder
honest people"
This was not a murder" Alaire
cried sharply "Pannlo was aiding n
fclon to escape. The courts viii not
punish Mr.. Law"
Bah! Who cares for the courts?
This man Is a gringo, and these are
grlngo laws. Eut / am u Mexican.
and Panfilo was my cousin. We shall
see"
Don't be rash, Jose" she exclaimed,
warnlngly.
Jose continued 10 glover. Then,
turning away, he snld, without meet
Ing his employers eyes, IL would like
TO draw my money"
very well. ] am sorry TO have you
leave Las Palmns, for | have regarded
you as one OF ray genie" Jose's face
remained stony. "Whnt do you intend
TO do? Where are you going?"
The fellow shrugged. "Qulen snbe.
Perhaps l shall 20 to my General Lon
gorlo.'
Alaire smiled family. "You will be
shot" she told him. 'Those soldiers
hnNa 1tftIA 90 ont aYI 50 -. -.