The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-08-29
CHAPTER VII.
A Rat in a Trap?

fore one of the deep windows OF the
drawing room, smoked his cigarettes
and hummed gay snatches of song,
evidently quite happy, seemingly I'M
aware of the presence of Gaucho Mo
the other hand, kept their eyes always
upon the young Spaniard and their
hard brown hands close to their hips.
The door opened and Stairway came
In. Tore did not turn, did not cease
his gay music. The two vaqueros rose
and stood looking at the American
curiously.
"Torre," called Stairway bluntly.
Tore turned, smiled ended a last
high note clearly, and only then bowed
very deeply to the rancher.
SAT your service, Senior Stairway"
he said lightly.
"Gaucho," said Stairway, for the
moment ignoring Tore. II shall be
with the senior for little. If you and
your companion will wait for me In
the Patio I'll call you when want
you"
81, StuOIy ItSpOllucu Tie SdQuClO
promptly. And from the door, as by
way of afterthought: 1--WE have not
searched him, senior. No doubt he is
armed"
mo doubt" dryly, from the rancher.
att is all right, Gaucho."
The two cowboys went out. Then
pleasantly, insolently, Tore admitted
to Stairway that he had been respon-
sible for Senior de la Guerra's disap-
pearance, that he knew where he was.
and that the captain was his own
agent.
what" asked the rancher curious
iy, "dO you gain from such an admis-
sion?"
1.-Two things, senior. In the first
place l am meeting you upon basis
upon which we may be able to come
to terms. 1t seems that you are really
the one for me to deal with. In the
second place." and the smile in his
81 am haunting a man whom l do not
like. That is pleasure"
Stairway frowned, not understand
Ing
Bring US back the senior and you
gain your freedom-your safety, If
you don't waste too much time getting
out of the country" he said.
"You ask great DEAL" Tore
pulled thoughtfully at his little mus
tache. "And you offer very little.
For l shall have my freedom and
safety-why, senior, at any time l
please!"
you refuse my offer?"
Absolutely"
"Even," went on Stairway coolly,
"after your personal danger is aug
mented by Dempton's confession of
complicity?"
For the first time the rancher saw
q quick light of fear leap into Torres
eyes. Then the lids dropped little
a very little, but enough to hide the
eyes-and In an instant Torres man.
ner was again careless, Indifferent.
"a random shot that, nor He lift
ed his eyes once more. and they were
frank and mirthful again. II am
sorry that it does not find target"
"What will you say when you are
confronted with Dempton's written
and signed confessionT
''That will never be. / know that
ne has confessed to nothing"
Stairway leaned forward and tapped
oils forefnger upon the table between
them. Il shall have Dempton's con-
fession within twenty-four hours! !"
Tore shook his head, smiling his in
scrutable smile.
81 have counter-offer to make"
said Tore. ''Teresita is to pay TO
Captain JuareZ the money which he
demands-twenty thousand dollars.
Within twenty-four hours from the
time that the money is paid her grand
father will walk into this drawing
room unframed
"And if she refuses your offer?
~rhen, twenty-four hours after her
refusal. her grandfather will be dead
Then / shall be the heir to the entire
property. You will accuse me of hav-,
Ing murdered him, and l shall deny.
1t will go 10 the courts. In the end
shall be cleared. You see, senior,
times are fortunately turbulent along
the border, and what has happened
may so easily be laid at the door
of the poor devils of insurrectos. You
can create suspicion, you can make
trouble But then there is the will,
properly drawn and witnessed, and
there is something else! !"
"And that?" curiously, wondering