The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-06-07

"Tad Lewis"
Jones started. "What makes you
think that?"
"Listen! Tad vas afraid to let Dr.
bina come to trial. Ricardo's dead and
the other witness is gone. Now draw.
your own conclusions"
Jones was amazed. "Say, Dave" he
cried, shat means your case has blown
up, eh?"
Absolutely. Lewis has been selling
wet stock to the federals, and ne
probably arranged with some of them
to murder Ricardo"
Blaze cursed %eloquently. I'D like to
hang it onto Tad; I'd sure clean house
down his way if I vas positive"
II sent a man over to Romero" Dave
explained further. "He tells me Ricar-
d. is dead, all right. There's a new
grave in the little cemetery above the
town, but there hasn't been a death in
Romero lately" The speaker watched
his friend closely. IF we had Ricar-
dos body on this side it would put
an end to all the lies, and perhaps
force Colonel Blanco to make known
the real facts. 1t might even mean a
cas- against Tad Lewis"
"What d'you say we go over there
and get Ricardo?"
Dave smiled. "That's what I've been
leading up to. Will you take a
chance?
eyes"
II knew you would. All we need is
a pair of Mexicans to-do the work.
l liked Ricardo; I owe him something"
Suppose we're caught?"
"In that case we'll have to run for
it, and-I presume I'll be discharged
from the Ranger SERVICE"
II amt very good at runnin'-not
from Mexicans." Blaze's eyes were
bright and hard at the thought. tits
more'n possible that, if they discover
us, we can start a nice little war
of our own"
That evening Dave managed to get
his Ranger captain by long-distance
telephone, and for some time the two
talked guardedly. When Dave rang
off they had come to a thorough I'M
Outstanding.
=
1t had been an easy matter for Jose
Sanchez to secure a leave of absence
from Benito, but Alaire knew nothing
whatever about the matter until Jose
himself asked permission to see her
on q matter of importance.
The man had ridden hard most of
the previous night, and his excitement
was patent. Even before he spoke,
Alaire realized that Panflo's fate was
known to him, and she decided swiftly
that there must be no further conceal
ment.
Sonora! A terrible thingw Jose
burst forth. 1T is strange, unbeliev-
able! My head whirls-"
Alaire quieted him, saying in Span
ish, "Calm yourself, Jose, and tell me
everything from the beginning"
"But how can I be calm? Panflo
is completely dead. But-you knows"
Alaire nodded. "I-suspected."
Jose's dark eyes blazed; he bent for
ward eagerly. "What did you suspect,
and why? Tell me ALL"
1t was with a peculiar, apprehensive
flutter in her breast that Alaire real
lied 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
UP to the tragedy, while Jose listened
with eyes wide and mouth open.
"You see, I had no suspicion of the
TRUTH" she concluded. 1T was a ter
rible thing, and Mr.. Law regrets it
deeply. He would have made a report
to the authorities, only-he feared it
might embarrass me-"
Jose was torn with rage, yet plainly
a prey to indecision; he rolled his eyes
and cursed under his breath. "These
Rangers!" he muttered. "That is the
kind of men they are. They murder
honest people,"
This was not 6! murder" Alaire
cried sharply, "Panflo was aiding a
felon to escape. The courts will not
punish Mr.. Law"
Bah! Who cares for the courts?
This man is a gringo, and these are
gringo laws. But I am a Mexican,
and Panflo was my cousin. We shall
see."
"Don't be rash, Jose" she exclaimed,
warningly.
Jose continued to glover. Then,
turning away, he said, without meet
Ing his employers eyes, II would like
to draw my money"
"Very we'll. l am sorry to have YOU
leave Las Palmas, for I. have regarded
you as one Of my gente." Jose's face
remained stony. "What do you intend
to do? Where are you going?"
The fellow shrugged. "Quien sabe
Perhaps I shall 60 to my General Lon
gorio."
Alaire smiled family. "You will be
shot," she told him. "Those soldiers
have little to eat and no money at
all."
But Jose's bright eyes remained hos