Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-08-01
CHAPTER VII.
A Rat in a rrap2


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-
rales and a brother vaquero, who, on
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
Icuriously.
"Torre," called Stairway bluntly.
Tore turned. smiled, ended last
high note clearly, and only then bowed
very deeply to the raneher.
"At your service, Senior Stairway"
he said lightly.
"Gaucho," said Stairway, for the
moment ignoring Tore. Il shall be
with the senior for little. If you and
your companion will wait for me in
the patio I'll call you when l want
you"
Isl, stnor," responded the vaquero
promptly. And from the door, as by
way of afterthought: eve have not
searched him, senior. No doubt he is
armed"
"No doubt" dryly, from the rancher.
N'It is all right, Gaucho."
The two cowboys went out. Thea
pleasantly, insolently, Tore admitted
TO Stairway that he had been respon-
slble 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
~, do you gain from such an admis-
Sion?"
1.-TWO things, senior. In the first
place / am meeting you upon a 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
eyes was hard and cruel enough now,
| am haunting man whom / do not
like. That is pleasure"
Stairway frowhed, 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 / shall have my freedom and
sarety-why, senior, at any time
please 7"
You refuse my offer2"
Absolutely"
Even" went on Stairway coolly
after your personal danger is aug
.mented by Dempton's confession OF
eomplicity?"
FOR the first time the rancher saw
quick light of fear leap into Torres
eyes Then the lids dropped little
a very little, but enough to hide tht
eyes-and in an instant Torres man
ner was again careless, Indifferent.
A random shot that, no?" He lift
Gu MS eyes once more, and they were
rank and mirthful again. 81 an
sorry that it does not find target"
What will you say when you are
eonironted with Dempton's writer
ana signed confession?''
That viii never be. know thai
ne has confessed to nothing"
stairway leaned forward and tapped
ais Iorefnger upon the table between
sneih- Il shall have Dempton's con
-esSion within twenty-four hours -
Iorre shook his head, smiling his in
@crutable smile.
have a counter-offer to make,
Sa'u Tore. "Teresita is to pay t.
Sap1ain Juarez the money which h
,,,.i llaAds-twenty thousand dollars
=, min twenty-four hours from the
sH 'Ie mat the money is paid her grand
o'her win walk into this drawing
nom unharmed."
and If she refuses your offerT'