Gilpin observer., 1919-09-18

! tnlnK thae mat ls where Do II GuoIto
is; that many Of the things which
Tore said were meant to be heard BY
the old man that they might taunt and
mock him; I think that Torres men
down there heard the crashing glass,
the words which went with 1t. think
that we are going to find De Ia Guerra
and Teresa there"
He studied the walls.
There was nothing to hint at q secret
door.
He moved out the bed, found the
spot which Teresa's note told Of, set
his thumb to It, and saw a panel drop
down. shelfwise, showing q great iron
locked. the key missing. But he knew
that he had found De la 0uerra's bank.
He closed the panel swiftly as Gaucho
and his men came to the door.
"Que es, senorf" Gaucho asked
quickly. And the black eyes of the
dark-faced men thronging behind him
eager, expectant-told as well a.
words that Gaucho had whispered to
his men that the Americana had a plan,
that hope lay behind it.
"Come in, Gaucho. Shut the door.
How many men?"
They entered as he spoke. He count
ed as the last man closed the door be-
hind him.
'Ten. senor. Five more are COM
ing"
"And"-sternly-"y can vouch for
them, for all Of them? You can trust
every man to the uttermost, Gauchof'
ITO the uttermost, senor," as stern
iy. ITO the death in the service of
the master and"-his voice breaking
a little-"the senorita."
"And the other Hve7"
'sThe same"
"Goodi This is my plan. Come
close. all Of you"
He addressed them in Spanish,
speaking swiftly. his voice lowered 30
that the men must crane their necks
and lean forward to hear. He told
them Of his hope that those they
sought had never been taken out Of
the hacienda.
"Now," he ended. there Is no doubt
passageway running from here to the
senorita's rooms. II we find this end
Of 1t and attack they may escape Al
the other end. So we must be ready.
"Gaucho, send two men into the
senorita's rooms. Let them be ready,
armed and watchful. Send two more
to the stairway. Let Tore and Juarez
be bound and watched over by one
man only, man whom you can trust
and who will blow their brains out be.
fore he let's them escape"
Let every other man in the house
be armed and ready. Then"
Then. senorf" eagerly.
'Then"@with quiet Determination
I'VE shall find where the passage IL II
we have to tear down the walls. Hurry
Gauchoi"
Gaucho ran upon his errand, calling
by name the men he wished to 60 witt
him. Stairway. bidding those with hin
to be very silent, not knowing wha
means the men he sought might hav,
OF overhearing what happened In tn,
room. began a silent search for som,
sign Of q passageway In the thicl
walls.
And now at last fate and the Quica
eyes of vaquero aided him. There
was little scratch on the redwood Of
the wall just opposite the dool
through which they had entered, {
fresh white scratch. It was Mendox
a young Mexican, who saw It; 1t wal
Mendoz who found a mark Of greasy
thumb upon the same panel. some foul
feet from the floor.
"Aqui, estar' he muttered. "Eenor
lookw
Stanway's heart beat wildly when h
saw what Mendos had found.
1.-THE door Of the passageway I" HI
whispered. "Shi Be still Ever
take of your boots, companeros. We
are going to give them no warning
But nrst. Mendoz, bring Demptor
here. quick! think he is going tc
talk now"
Mendoz hurried. and presently came
back, he and the immense Vidal, walk
ing at Dempton's right and left
"Dempt0n," whispered Stairway
meeting him. make no sound. II hs
cries QUITO Vidal and Mendoz-
III he makes a sound choke the life
out Of him. Do you understand
Dempton3"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
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