The Lamar register., 1920-06-16

! will be beyond pursuit. lost In the des-
srt. Do you think OF anything bet
terri
That he did not was evidenced b.
the vacant look in his eyes. and she
| waited for no answer.
Here" she said, thrustlng the re-
volver into his hand, take this and
guard Mendez until | return. II will
only be moment Don't take your
eyes on 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 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.
Te 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. II was built of logs,
well mortised together and plastered
between with clay. There were no
windows on the end toward the clifr,
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 II might some
time be used for purposes Of defense.
as II had almost the appearance OF
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, senior. We are
going straight along the north side Of
your cabin there, until We reach the
door. For about twenty feet we shall
be exposed to view from that other
cabin, II any OF your men are there. II
you dare utter a sound, or make a mo-
tion. 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.
II doubt. You might kill me; think
that. yet how would IL serve your One
shot fired would bring here a dozen
men-then whatf'
II thank you. senior there will be no
shot fred. Give me the revolver. Mr..
Cavendish now take this knife. As
we advance walk one step behind Men
dez. You will know what to do. Now.
senior. II you wish to try an expert
ment-we go now"
There was not sound. not a word
Not unlike three shadows they crossed
the open space and found shelter be-
hind the walls OF the hut The girl
never removed her eyes from the other
cabin. and Cavendlsh. u step behind
his prisoner. poised for n 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 eyidencing the passion
raging within.
Without pausing they reached the
door. which stood slightly ajar. Stella
pushed II open. took one 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
tlon. 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 u narrow doorway.
Her heart beat faster as she turned
away. satisfied with the success OF her
plan. Nothing remained now but to
secure Mendez. to make IL impossible
for him to raise an alarm. II he could
be bound. and locked into that rear
room. She lOokeI ut the two men
the Mexican had slouched down into a
chair. apparently having abandoned all
hope OF escape. his chin lowered on his
breast. his eyes hidden beneath the
wide brlm OF his hat. Feeling no trepi-
dalton. she crossed toward the other
room. noting as she passed that Men
dez lifted his head to observe her
movements. She paused at the door.
turning suspIciously. but the man had
already seemingly lost Interest. and
his head again dropped She stepped
within.
II was dlngy dark once she had
crossed the threshold, yet enough OF