The Tomahawk., 1919-07-24
CHAPTER VII.
A Rat in a Trap7


fore one of the deep windows Of the
drawing room, smoked his cigarettes
and hummed gay snatches Of song,
evidently quite happy, seemingly un-
aware Of the presence Of Gaucho Mo-
rales and 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
curiously.
"Torre," called Stairway bluntly.
I Tore turned, smiled, ended last
high note clearly, and only then bowed
. very deeply to the rancher:
"At your service, Senor Stairway"
he said lightly.
"Gaucho," said Stairway, for the
moment ignoring Tore. II shall be
with the senor for little. If you and
your companion will wait for me in
the patio I'll call you when I want
you.'
"Si, senor," responded the vaquero
promptly. And from the door, as by
way Of afterthought: 1--WE have not
searched him, senor. No doubt he is
armed
"No doubt" dryly, from the rancher.
''It is all right, Gaucho."
The two cowboys went out. Then
pleasantly, insolently, Tore admitted
to Stairway that he had been respon-
sible for SenOr de Ia Guerra's disap-
4 apearance, that he knew where he was,
and that the captain was his own
agent.
Il, "What," asked the rancher curious
ly, do you gain from such an admis-
;sion?"
"Two things, senor. In the first
place I am meeting you upon q basis
upon which we may be able to come
to terms. It 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,
II am taunting man whom I do not
like. That is pleasure"
Stairway frowned, not understand
ing.
!. "Bring us back the senor and you
gain your freedom-your safety, If
you don't waste too much time getting
out Of the country" he said.
"You ask a great DEAL" Tore
pulled thoughtfully at his little mus
tache. "And you offer very little.
For I shall have my freedom and
safety-why, senor, at any time I
please!"
''You refuse my offer2"
Absolutely" E
"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
quick light Of fear leap into Torres
eyes. Then the lids dropped a little
very little, but enough to hide the
eyes-and in an instant Torres man.
ner was again careless, Indifferent.
"A random shot that, no?" He lift
ed his eyes once more, and they were
frank and mirthful again. u am
sorry that it does not find target"
'eWhat will you say when you are
confronted with Dempton's written
and signed confession?"
"That will never be. / know that
he has confessed to nothing"
Stanway leaned forward and tapped
. his forefinger upon the table between
them. II 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
tlemands-twenty thousand dollars.
Within twenty-four hours from the
time that the money is paid her grand
father win walk into this drawing
room unharmed."
.And If she refuses your oferT