The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-07-19

L IA L I'LL u = w
pumped that Morales girl dry, and I
can't figure anything else out Of what
she tells me. Her and Jose expect to
make a 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 ridiculous"
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 her? Nonsense! One man couldn't
do such a thing"
II didn't say he could" Phil de-
Tended himself, sulkily. Remember,
I told you there was somebody back
Of him."
"Yes, I 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
Phils suggestions.
"It's too utterly preposterous. Mrs.
Austin has no enemies; she's a person
of Importance. If 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, I phoned
her ranch; somebody answered in
Spanish, and from what I could make
out they don't know where she is"
Dave wondered If he mad understood
Strange Alright, or if this could be a
trick of his WI tired brain. Choosing
his words carefully, he said: do you
mean to tell me hat she's missing and
they haven't given an alarm? I reckon
you didn't understand the message, did
your
Strange shrugged. maybe I didn't,
Suppose you try. You sabe the lingo
Dave went to the telephone, leaving
Phil to wait. When he emerged from
the house a few moments later, it was
with a queer, set look upon his face.
II got 'em," he said. "She's gone
left three days ago."
"Where did she go?"
"They wouldn't tell me-"
"They w%ouldn't?" Strange looked
up sharply.
Wouldn't or couldn't" The mer
eyed each other silently; then Phil in
CURED:
SWELL, what do you make Of it2"
II don't know. She wasn't kidnapped
) that's q cinch, for Dolores went with
, her. think we're exciting ourselves
unduly."
6 The little fortune-teller broke ou'
: excitedly: "Yes we are! Why do yor
, suppose I've been playing that Morale.
), girl? I tell you there's something
: crooked going on. Don't 1 know
! Didn't I wise you three weeks ago tina,
something like this was coming off 2
It was plain that Phil put complete
: faith in his powers Of divination, ant
at this moment his earnestness carried
. a certain degree Of conviction. Dave
. made an effort to clear his tired brain.
Every WELL" he said. :Hf you're 81
sure, I'll go to Las Palmas. I'll fine
out all about it, and where she went
If anybody has dared to" He drew
= a deep breath and his listlessness van
= ichod. hio oy,oc 01oouod With n biok n,
, their customary fire. II reckon Ivt
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 q new
: vigor in his limbs and q new strength
: Of purpose in his mind. When he stood
in his old boots and felt the familiar
! drag Of his cartridge-belt, when hi
tested his free muscles, he realized
that he was another man.. Even We,
}, he could not put much faith in Phi
Strange's words-nevertheless, there
. might be a danger threatening Alaire
! and If so, it was time to act.
Phil watched his friend saddle thu
. bay mare, then as Dave tied his riff,
scabbard to its thong he laughed nerv
ously.
"You're loaded for bear"
The horseman answered, grimly
> "Tm loaded for Jose Sanchez. If I LAY
hands on him I'll learn what b,
9 knows"
:. "You can't get nothing out Of q Mexi
: can"
mo? I've made Filipinos talk. Be
= lieve me, I can be some persuasive
when I try" With that he swung a lei
{ over M%ontrosa's back and rode away.
CHAPTER XVIII.
u A Surprise.
{ Law found It good to feel q horse