The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-11-11

srt. Do you think Of anything bet
teri"
That he did not vas evidenced by
the vacant look In his eyes, and she
waited for no answer.
Here" she said, thrusting the re
volver into his hand, take this and
guard Mendez until / return. II will
only be a moment. Don't take your
eyes off him ; there must be no alarm
She moved forward through the
gloomy shadows toward the light
showing at the mouth OF the cave and
was able to gain a comprehensive view
Of the entire scene beyond. Within
the cave itself there was no move
ment, no evidence of life. Quite clear
ly no guard had been posted here, and
no precautions taken, although doubt
less the only entrance to the deep val
ley was carefully watched.
The two cabins were directly before
the entrance, the smaller closely in
against the cliff, the larger slightly ad-
vanced. Neither exhibited any sign
of life. Her study Of the situation
concentrated on the small cabin imme-
diately In front. 1t was built Of logs,
well mortised together and plastered
between with clay. There were no
windows on the end toward the cliff,
or along the one side which she could
see from where she lay. The single
door must open from the front, and
apparently the house had been erected
with the thought that it might some
time be used for purposes of defense,
as it had almost the appearance Of a
fort. Confident there could be no bet
ter time for the venture, Stella sig
nailed with her hand for the others to
join her.
'The way is clear" she said, "and,
listen to my warning, We are
going straight along the north side of
your cabin there, until we reach the
door. For about twenty feet we shall
cabin, if any of your men are there. If
you dare utter a sound, or make Il mo-
ton, this man will shoot you dead in
your tracks-dO you understand"
His look was ugly enough, although
he compelled the thin lips to smile.
"Quite clearly-yes; but pardon me
If I doubt. You might kill me-; | think
that, yet how would it serve you? One
shot fired would bring here a dozen
men-then whatY"
II thank you, senior there will be no
shot fired. Give me the revolver, Mr..
Cavendish now take this knife. As
we advance walk one step behind Men
DEE. You will know what to do. Now,
senior, If you wish to try an expert
ment-we go now."
There was not a sound, not a word,
Not unlike three shadows they crossed
the open space, and found shelter he
hind the walls Of the hut. The girl
never removed her eyes from the other
cabin, and Cavendish, q step behind
his prisoner, poised for a quick blow,
the steel blade glittering in uplifted
hand, saw nothing but the back Of the
man before him. The latter shrugged
his shoulders and marched forward,
his eyes alone evidencing the passion
raging within.
without pausing they reached the
door, which stood slightly ajar. Stella
pushed it open, took me swift glance
within and stepped aside. The other
two entered, and she instantly fol-
lowed, closing the door, and securing
II with a stout wooden BAR. Her face
was white, marked by nervous emo,
ton, her eyes bright and fearless. With
one swift glance she visioned the In
terror; there were two rooms, both
small, divided by a solid log partition
pierced by a narrow doorway.
Her heart beat faster as she turned
away, satisfied with the success of hei
plan. Nothing remained now but tt
secure MeadeZ, to make Ii Impossible
for him TO raise an alarm. II he coult
be bound, and locked into that real
room. She looked at the two men
the Mexican had slouched down into
chair, apparently having abandoned al
hope of escape, his chin lowered on nj
breast, his eyes hidden beneath tn
wide brim of his hat. Feeling no trepi
dation, she crossed toward the othe
room, noting as she passed that Men
DEE lifted his head to observe he
movements. She paused at the dooi
turning suspiciously, but the man ha'
already seemingly lost interest, an
his head again dropped. She steppe'
within.
1t was jdlngy dark once she ha'
crossed the threshold. yet enough O
light fickered In through the doorwa
to enable her to perceive the few al
ticles Of furniture. The room itsel
was a small one. but contained
roughly constructed wooden bed, tw
stools. ana a square table OF unplane
boards. Against the wall In q corne
leaned a short-barreled gun, q canva
bag draped over its muzzlc.
She had no opportunity to observ
, more. To her ears there Came tn
sound Of a blow In the room she ha