The Lamar register., 1917-10-03
e~-Ss y A,s- = A--A--

my wife-told me you was better" he
began, $50 l beat It out here. 1 hung
around all day yesterday, waiting to
see you, but you was batty."
IL was pretty sick" Dave acknowl-
edged. Mrs. Strange was mighty kind
10 me-"
.Sick people get her goat. Shes got
a way with 'em and with animals, too.
Why, Rajah, the big python with our
show, took sick one year, and he'd have
died sure only for her. Same with
lot of the other animals. She knows
more'n any vet ever saw"
Perhaps | needed veterinary in
stead of "a DOCTOR" Dave smiled. Il
guess I've got some horse blood in me.
Seel" Montrosa had thrust her head
under his arm and was waiting for
him to scratch her ears.
We'll. l brought you some mail"
Strange fumbled in his pocket for
small bundle of letters, explaining:
Blaze gave me these for you as /
passed the post office"
Dave took the letters with a word OF
thanks, and thrust them carelessly in
to his pocket. what seems TO be the
trouble?" he inquired.
"You remember our last talk? Well,
them MeNicans have got me ratified.
I've been trying everywhere TO locate
you. If you hadn't come home I'd have
gone to the prosecuting attorney, or
somebody"
Then you've learned something
moreY"
Phil nodded, and his sallow face
puckered with apprehension. Rosa
Morales has been TO see me regular"
Dave passed an uncertain hand over
his forehead. I'm not in very good
shape to tackle new proposition, but
what is itY'
We've got to get Mrs. Austin away
from here"
I'VE? why?"
'If we don't they'll steal her"
"Steal herr" Dawes amazement was
patent. Are you crazyf"
Sometimes l think | am, but I've
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 1t from me, it's Mrs.
Austin they aim to cash in on"
"Why-the ideas ridlculous"
Maybe it is and maybe it amt" the
fortune-teller persisted. More than
one rich Mexican has been grabbed
and held for ransom along this river;
yes and Americans, too, if you can
believe the stories. Anything goes in
that country over there"
"YOu think Jose is planning to kid
nap herr Nonsensel One man couldn't
do such n thing"
Il didn't say he could" Phil de
Tended himself. sulkily. Remember,
l told you there was somebody back
of him."
"Yes, 1 remember, but you didn't
know exactly who"
"Well, l don't exactly know yet l
thought maybe you might tell me-"
There was n brief silence, during
which Dave stood frowning. Then he
appeared to shake himself free from
Phi's suggestions.
Its too utterly preposterous. Mrs.
Austin has no enemies; she's person
of Importance. If by any chance she
Disappeared"
"She's done that very little thing,
Strange declared
"Whatl"
"She's sappeared-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 l could make
out they don't know where she is"
Dave wondered If he had understood
Strange Alright, or If 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 alarm? reckon
you didn't understand the message, did
youf"
Strange shrugged. Maybe 1 didn't
Suppose you try. You sabe the lingo"
Dave went to the telephone, leaving
Phil TO wait. When he emerged from
the house few moments later, 1t was
with queer set look upon his face.
81 got EN-" he said. "She's gone
left three days ago"
"Where did she goF
''They wouldn't tell me-"
''They wouldn'tf" Strange looked
up sharply.
"wouldn't or couldn't" Ths man