The Raymer enterprise., 1917-08-23


pumped that Morales girl dry, and !
can't figure anything else out Of what
she tells me. Her and Jose expect to
make lump Of quick money, jump to
Mexico, get married, and live happy
ever after. Take It from me, It's Mrs
Austin they aim to cash In on"
"Why-the ideas ridiculousl"
Maybe 1t is and maybe 1t ain't," the
fortune-teller persisted. more than
one rich Mexican has been grabbed
and held for ransom along this river !;
yes, and Americans. too, II you can
believe the stories. Anything goes In
that country over there"
"You think Jose Is planning to kid
nap her? Nonsense! One man couldn't
do such thing"
7 didn't say he could" Phil de-
Tended himself, sulkily. Remember,
l told you there was somebody back
Of him."
"Yes, remember, but you didn't
know exactly who."
SWELL. I don't exactly know yet. I
thought maybe you might tell me-"
There was a brief silence, during
which Dave stood frowning. Then he
appeared to shake himself free from
Phirs suggestions.
Its too utterly preposterous. Mrs.
Austin has no enemies; she's person
Of importance. II by any chance she
disappeared"
"She's done that very little thing" "
Strange declared.
"What?"
"She's disappeared-anyhow, she's
gone. Yesterday when l saw you was
laid up and couldn't help me, phoned
her ranch; somebody answered In
Spanish, and from what could make
out they don't know where she is."
Dave wondered II he mad understood
Strange Alright, or II this could be a
trick of his own tired brain. Choosing
his words carefully, he said: "Do you
mean to tell me that she's missing and
they haven't given an alarm2 reckon
you didn't understand the message, did
your"
Strange shrugged. "Maybe didn't.
Suppose you try. You sabe the lingo"
Dave went to the telephone, leaving
Phil to walt. When he emerged from
the house few moments later, it was
with queer, set look upon his face.
Il got 'em," he said. "She's gone
left three days ago."
"Where did she go?'
"They wouldn't tell me-"
"They wouldn't?" Strange looked
up sharply.
wouldn't or couldn't" The men
eyed each other silently; then Phil In.
quired:
well, what do you make Of iti"
Il don't know. She wasn't kidnapped,
that's cinch, for Dolores went with
her. think we're exciting ourselves
unduly."
The little fortune-teller broke out
excitedly: "Yes We are! Why do you
suppose I've been playing that Morales
girl? / tell you there's something
crooked going on. Don't l know
Didn't wise you three weeks ago that
something like this was coming OFF,
1t was plain that Phil put complete
faith In his. powers Of divination, and
at this moment his earnestness carried
a certain degree of conviction. Dave
made an effort to clear his tired brain.
every WE'LL" he said III you're SO
sure, Ill go to Las Palmas. I'll find
out all about 1t, and where she went.
II anybody has dared to-" He drew
a deep breath and his lIstlessness van
ished: his eyes cleaned with hint of
their customary FIRE. II reckon I've
got one punch left In me-" He turned
and strobe to his room.
As Dave changed into his service
clothes he was surprised to feel new
vigor In his limbs and a new strength
OF purpose In his mind. When he stood
In his old boots and felt the familiar
drag OF his cartridge-belt. when he
tested his free muscles, he realized
that he was another man. Even yet
he could not put much faith In Phil
Strange's words-nevertheles there
might be a danger threatening Alaire !;
and II so. 1t was. time to act.
Phil watched his friend saddle the
bay mare, then as Dave tied his rife
scabbard to its thong he laughed nerv-
ously.
you're loaded for bear"
The horseman answered. grimly:
"rm loaded for Jose Sanchez. II lay
hands on him TIL learn what he
knows" Nf
"You can't get nothing out Of Men-
can.'
"No? I've made Fillpinos talk. Be
lieve me, can be some persuasive
when I try" With that he swung leg
over Montrosa's back and rode away.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Surprise.