Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-08-17

1870
pumped that Morales girl dry, and
can't figure anything else out Of whar
She tells me. Her and Jose expect e
make n lump Of quick money, jump tC
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
fortunc-tcllcr persisted. More than
one rich Mexican has been grabbed
aud 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"
81 didn't say he could" Phil de-
Tended himself, sulklly. Remember,
told you there was somebody back
of him."
yes, ! remember, but you didn't
know exactly who.'
well, | don't exactly know yet. |
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.
ITS too utterly preposterous. Mrs.
Austin has NJ enemies she's a person
Of importance. If by any chance she
Disappeared"
"Shc's done that very little thing"
Strange declared.
"What?'
"She's disappeared-anyhow, she's
gone. Yesterday when | 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 if he mad 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 alarm2 | reckon
you didn't understand the message, did
your
Strange shrugged. maybe l didn't. |
Suppose you try. You sabe the lingo"
Dave went to the telephone, leaving |
Phil to wait. When he emerged from
the house n few moments later, it was
with Il queer, set look upon his face.
II got EN-" he said. "She's gone
left three days ago"
where did she go?"
"They wouldn't tell me-"
"They wouldn'tf" Strange looked
up sharply.
wouldn't or couldn't" The men
eyed each other silently; then Phil in.
qulred:
"Well, what do you make of it7"
II don't know. She wasn't kidnaped.
that's n clnch, for Dolores went with
her. think were exciting ourselves
unduly."
The little f%ortune-tcller broke out
e%Xcitcdly: "YeS we arel Why do you
suppose I've been playing that Morales
| tell you there's something
going on. Don't | know?
| 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
this moment his earnestncss carried
L certain degree of conviction. Dave
an effort TO clear his tired brain.
VERY WELL" he said. III you're so
sure, I'll so to Las Palmas. I'll find
all about it, and where she went.
If anybody has dared to" He drew
deep breath and his liStlessness van !
shed; his eyes cleaned with a hint of
heir customary fire. 81 reckon I've
got n punch left In me-" He turned
md strobe TO his room.
AS Dave changed into his service
he was surprised to feel n new
'igor In his limbs and a new strength
If purpose in his mind. When he stood
n his old boots and felt the familiar
trag Of his Cartridge-helt, when he |
.eSted his free muscles, he realized
hat he was another man. Even vet I
he could not put much faith In Phil !
.'trange's wordS-nevertheleSs, there
night be n danger threatening Alaire: 2
If so, It was time to act. l
Phil watched his friend saddle the
Day mare, then as Dave tied his rifle
'cabbard to its thong he laughed nerv- 1
,usly.
You're loaded for bear" (
The horSeman answered, grimly: |
Tn loaded for Jose Sanchez. If Law $
lands on him I'll learn what he
.nowS."
You can't get nothing out of a Next c
an" L
NO? I've made Fflipinos talk. Be o
Ieye me, | can be som persuasive h
when try" With that he swung a leg d
yer MontroSa's back and rode away.
CHAPTER XVIII. e
A Surprise. c
Law found 1t good to feel n horse h
his knees He had not realized
ntil how long Montrosa's saddle n
nd been empty. The sun was hot and f,
"lendlV. the hrnpgn woS Su,oaF Il, III, =.