The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-09-19
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Eduardo Ramon Tore. lounalng be-
knrc one 81 the deep windows Of the
drawing room, smoked his cigarettes
aud hnmmed gay snatches Of song
evidently quite happy, seemingly I'M
aware of the presence Of Gancho Mo
Faies and brother vaquero, who, on
ghe other hand. kept their eyes always
npon the Young Spanlard and their
hard. brown hands close 70 their hips.
The door opened and Stairway came
~. Tarre did n@t turn. did not cease
his gay music. The two ynqueros reese
and stood looking ut the American
eurIously.
Tore" called stairway bluntly.
Tore turned. smiled. ended last
high note clearly. and only then bowed
very deeply to the rancher.
"At your service. Senior Stanway.'
he said lightly.
-6iaucho." said Stairway. for the
moment ignoring Tore. II shall be
with the senior for little. II you and
your companion VIII walt for me In
she patio I'm cali you when | want
you."
''Si, scnor,1 responded the yaquero
promptly. And from the door. as by
way OF nfterthought: 1--WE have not
searched him. senior. No doubt he is
armed"
-No doubt" dryly. from the rancher.
III IL all right. Gaucho."
The two cowboys went out. Then
pleasantly, insolently, Tore admitted
10 Stairway that he had been respon-
slble for Senior de Ia Guerra's disap-
pearance. that he knew where he was,
aud that the captain was his own
agent
what" asked the rancher curious
~. do you gain from such an admis,
STOMP
Two things, senior, In the first
place l am meeting you upon basis
upon which we may be able 70 come
10 terms II seems that you are really
the one for me 10 deal with. In the
second place." and the smile In his
eyes was hard and cruel enough now,
4 am haunting a man whom ! do not
like. That Is pleasure"
stairway frowned. not understand
ing.
Bring US back the senior and you
gain your freedom-your safety, u
you don't waste too much time getting
out OF the country" he said.
"You ask great deal" Torr'
pulled thoughtfuily at his little mus
tache. "And you offer n very little
For shall have my freedom ant
safety--why. senior, Ut any time
pleasel'
you refuse my offerf
Absolutely"
Even" went on Stairway coOily
"after your personal danger is aus
mehted by Dempton's confession o
eomplicityfs
For the first time the rancher say
a quick light OF fear leap into Tore
eyes Then the lids dropped little
very little, but enough 10 hide IA
eyes-and ia an instant Torres mar
ner was again careless. indifferent.
"a random shot that. nor He If
ed his eyes once more, and they wer
frank and mirthful again. II al
sorry that II does not find target"
"What win you say when you al
confronted with Dempton's write
and signed eOnfessionr'
'That win never be. / know thu
he has confessed to nothing"
Stairway leaned forward and tappe
his forehnger upon the table betwee
them. II shall have Dempton's co
fession within twenty-four hoursW
Tore shook his head, smiling his |
scrutable smile.
Il have a counter-offer to make
said Tore. "Teresita is to pay
Captain Juarez the money which
demands-twenty thousand doIlai
Within twenty-four hours from t
time that the money is paid her graz
father win walk into this drawi
EoOm unframed"
sAnd 81 she refuses your offerf"