Gilpin observer., 1919-09-25

were running toward them. And then,
as several men shot into view:
| "Stop" cried Stairway, loudly, his
hand knocking vidal's weapon up
ward. ''It is Gaucho and his men n
"Where are they?" cried Gaucho, ex-
citedly. 'The master? The senorita?
You did not find them?"
"You did not meet them?" in q sharp
cry from the rancher.
I'VE met no one!" Gaucho answered,
look of wonder in his eyes.
Then there is another door. They
have fooled us. Comet They can't
get out of the house."
They turned, rushing back toward
the room they had just quilted. And
at the instant Stairway plunged back
through the doorway he knew where
were these men Of Torres.
For he heard Torres voice shouting
loudly just above his head where he
had already judged the drawing room
must be; he knew that through some
other passageway the men they had
thought to trap had made their way
there, and he remembered that his own
orders had been for one man only to
watch over the bound Tore and
Juarez.
'Nunez! Castrol" Tore was call.
ing, his tones ringing out clear, the
tones Of command, calling for haste,
for swift obedience. There is one
man here only. Kill him! All"
There was the crack of a revolver,
a cry. the sound Of body falling.
"Now!" and again Torres voice
rang triumphant. "Cut these damned
ropes, Castro! You others free Juarez.
Watch the doors. Guard the passage
way. By the lord Of hell, Wen win
this game Yeti"
"They are too many" painted dis
senting voice. We"
Coward and fool!" cried Torres
echoing voice. 'Give me that gun.
Now, listen. I have found where the
De la Guerra banco isl It's Just yon-
der In the old mans bedroom. It's
full Of gold. companeros. And then
watch the doors, amigos! Then cross
the border with our pockets FULL"
There came answering shouts, the
noise Of heavy furniture being dragged
across the floor and piled at the doors,
Torres voice giving commands.
But where is the master2" a va
quero whispered anxiously. "They
have killed himw
"And the senorita?" cried Gaucho.
They ran about the room, seeking
a sign of that other passageway which
had led these men directly into the
drawing room.
"We had better go back" command.
ed Stairway crisply after short
search which showed nothing. eve
can break down the door into the room
where they are. Gaucho, Mentor, vi.
dal, you men stay here so that they
cannot play hide-and-seek with MS
again."
Pardon, senor. You are very kind.
I already owe you much. But now
shall take care of these bandits"
1t was the old Spaniard, Senor Don
Antonio de la Guerra, his old-fash.
ioned black coat faultlessly clean Of
speck of dust. his fine white mustache
curled nicely, his eyes glowing very
brightly, for a moment gentle and full
Of gratitude as they rested upon the
rancher, then very hard as they turned
toward the ceiling.
His vaqueros cried out sharply at
the sight of him standing there so un.
expectedly in their midst. From him
they looked to the slender form of the
white-faced girl at the door of little
closet which De la Guerra had sud. |
denly thrown open.
"YOu. senor" cried Stairway, as.
founded. mot hurt?"
II, senor?" De la Guerra lifted ono
white hand, showing for moment
the revolver in 1t. AT your attack I
seized this. One man quieted. III
the rush I got Teresa into the closet
there. She, too, is unhurt. And now"
Again his fine old face hardened, his
eyes were burning black pools of mer.
ciless rage. He stepped across the
room, set his hand to spot which his
thumb found readily, and a narrow
door flew back, showing stairway.
(TO BE CONTINUEDl