The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-06-27

SnoWn, unu l'eurO StOSu over ms pea
"Vidal has brought Mr.. Demptor
back with him?" he asked, sitting up
Isl, scnor," grinncd Pedro "lI
think that Mr.. Dempton did not like
To come, but'-and he shrugged elo
quently-"you know Vidal, seGor."
"Torrc and Juarcz have had nC
word together? They know nothinl
of our having brought Dempton to the
ranchoT
mo, senor."
Stanway slipped out of bed, hi.
great sinewy body towering for a mo
rIent over the lesser form of tn,
breed.
"You are n gentleman, Pedro" h,
ouid warmly. 'Your master, when he
comes back to US. will have you I.
thank as much as anyone. Now, will
you ask your senorita to come to the
library? And then will you see that
Vidal brings the lawyer there2"
Pedro went about his errand, and
Stairway, dressing swiftly, went to the
library, which he had chosen because
II was at one end of the house, and
so place in which to converse with
out fear Of being overheard by Tore
or the captain.
Vidal was there before him, a big
man with a beautiful body and
SCARED, ugly face. And with him,
looking grotesquely small. pitifully in
efficient in the presence Of his guard,
was Dempton.
Mr. Stairway. sir" The lawyer
was upon his feet in an instant, his
face red with anger, his speech seem
Ing to froth up In a stream of barely
articulated words from between his
writhing lips. "Are you one Of this
damnable conspiracy. sir2 1t is brig
andage; 1t Is Outlawry; 1t is sheer
defiance OF every statute"
Good afternoon, Mr.. Dempton,"
said the rancher pleasantly. "There
is no conspiracy on our part. We
merely wish to ask you few ques-
tions, even to give you a chance to get
out of this mess Skin-wholc. Sit down.
The Scnorita will be here in mo-
ment"
The door opened and Teresa came
In. She nodded brightly nt Stairway,
bestowed n look upon Vidal which
plunged him into an ecstasy of delight,
and with no word to Dempton went to
Stanway'S side.
"IIave I kept you waiting?" she
asked.
mo. I came In just n second be-
fore YOU" He drew out chair for
her and turned to Vidal. "vldaI, we
have n few words to say to Mr.. Demp-
ton. VIII you wait In the patio? L
shall call you when we want you"
"Dempton," Stairway went on, "what
passed between you and the Senor de
la Guerra last night?"
HE sent for me to make n change
In his WILL" said Dempton glibly. "He
gave no reasons for what he was do
Ing, although he must have noted nv
! surprise"
did you know that he has been
engaged during several years on his
memolrs?"
Dempton, lawyer trained to ask
Just such questions as that, looked at
Stairway quickly, suspiciously. He
neSitated moment before answering.
navy htHiu Illll speak OF IL.
Stairway smiled at the girl, which
she returned, and Dcmpton, plainly
puzzled. watched them closely.
"The law Is rather severe in the
punishment ii metes out to kidnapers.
is 1t not. Mr.. DemptonT
ayes"
There Is what you men of the law
term an accessory before the fact 2"
"Certainly," snapped the lawyer.
"But II you care 10 consult me in a
legal capacity"
81 don't" lightly. "We are sending
for Mr.. BranSon of Branson & How
ard To advise us"
DemptOn's tongue ran back and
forth between his dry lips.
Now" went on Stanley. without
waiting for an answer, "how much
money did Tore pay you for your
part?'
Again Dempton had leaped to his
feet, his face flushed, his eyes ablaze
"iou mean to insinuate-"
"Sit down" Stairway caught him
by the shoulders and drove him back
into his chair. Did you know that
after you had gone and before he was
spirited away Scnor de In Guerra
added certain notes 10 his memOirS?"
What are you driving at?" fumed
Dempton.
Stairway stepped TO the door.
Vidal" he called, "Mr. Dempton
will remain here in the library. You
Will see that he does not grow lone
some7 Bueno." He came back to
Dempton's side and added quietly: 81
am driving at this: the senior made