The Huttig news., 1917-05-12

ing to Mexico for her money. It was mark of Longorio's favor, you under stand me? He's great-friend, ar ardent admirer." Benito winked. Do lores told me all about that, too. No think they went to La Feria." Dave remembered his first conversa tion with Phil Strange and the fortune teller's insistence that some powerful person was behind Jose Sanchez. More than three weeks ago Strange had fore cast something very like this murder of Ed Austin. Dave felt as if he were the victim of an hysterical imagina tion. Nevertheless, he forced himself to ask, quietly:
 ''Is Jose Sanchez anywhere about ?"
 The range boss shrugged 1"I sem him to the east pasture this morning."
 Did he go?"
 "Eh? So! You suspect Jose of this God in heaven, Jose is n wild boy But wait! I'll ask Juan if he saw him yes, and Victoria, too. That is Victoria you hear squalliEg in the kitchen. Wal, here"
 Renito hurried away. leaving Dave 6 prey to perplexity; but he was back again in few moments. His face was grave.
 Jose did not go to the east pas. ture.' he said.
 Where is he now?'
 No one seems to know"
 Law walked to his horse, mounted and galioped away. Benito, who watched him, saw that he turned to. ward the river road which led to the Las Paimas pumping plant.
 The more Dave thought about E6 Austin's death. the more certain he be. came that It was in some way con. nected with Alaire's disappearance and the loose end by which the tangle might be unraveled, it seemed to him lay in the hands of Rosa Morales loses sweetheart. That Sanchez was the murderer Dave now had little doubt; but since the chance of appre. hending him was small. he turned his attention to the girl. He would make Rosa speak. he told himself if he had to use force-this was no time for gen. tie methods. If she knew aught of Alaire's whereabouts or the mystery of her departure from Las Palmas. he would find way to wiring the truth from her. Daves face, a trifie too son. Der at all times, took on a grimner aspect now: he felt slow fury kind ling in his breast.
 Years of experience had taught him to be always alert, even during his mo- ments of deepest preoccupation, and so, from force of habit, when he came to the pumphouse road he carefully scanned it. In the dust were fresh hoof-prints leading toward the river 1 Now he knew this road to De seldom used, and therefore he wondered whe could he riding 1t at gallop in this biisterfng midday heat. A few rods farther on and his quick eye detected something else-some tiny object that brought him from his saddle. Out of the rut he picked cigarette butt. the fire of which was cold but the paper of which was still wet from the smokers lips. He examined it carefully; then he remounted and rode on. ponderlne it's significance.
 Dave loped out of the thickete and straight across the clearing to the Morales house. Leaving Montrosa's reins hanging, he opened the door and entered without knocking. Rosa ap- peared in the opening to another room her eyes wide with fright at this ap- partition, and Dave saw that she was dressed in her finest, as if for holiday or for a journey.
 "Where's your father?s he demanded
 He's gone to Sangre de Cristo. What do you want?"
 When did he go?"
 "This morning, early. He"
 "WhO's been here since he left?"
 Rosa was recovering from her first surprise, and now her black brows drew together in anger. "No one has come. You are the first. And have you no manners to stride into a re- spectable house-?"
 Dave broke in harshly: "Rosa, you're lying. Jose Sanchez has been here within an hour. Where is hep When the girl only grew winter and raised hand to her breast, he stepped toward her, crying, Answer me r'
 Rosa recofled, and the breath caught in her throat like sob. "I'll tell you nothing" she said in thin voice. Then she began to tremble. "Why do you want .Iose?"
 "You know why. He killed Don Eduardo, and then he rode here. Come l know everything"
 "Lies! Lies!" Rosa's voice grew shrill. "Out of this house! I know you. It was you who betrayed Panfilo, and his blood is on your hands. as- sassin !" With the last word she made as If to retreat, but Dave was too quick he seized her, and for an in stant they struggled breathlessly.
 Dave had reasoned beforehand that his only chance of discovering any thing from this girl lay in utterly ter rorizng her and in profiting by her first panic; therefore he pressed his adyantapp Hn cicceedad hotfar than