The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-11-04
CHAPTER XII.
A Dangerous Prisoner.

! wide cloak about his shoulders, and
high hat with broad brim. Even at
that distance it could be seen that his
long hair was gray, and that a heavy
mustache, snow-white, made more no.
ticeable the thin features of his face.
He looked at the two men closely,
and his voice easily reached the ears
of the listeners.
"Who posted you here?"
Juan C~ateras, senor," answered
one.
mot on my order! Dias is watching
above. Did the lieutenant give you
a reason?"
THE prisoners, senor."
'The prisoners? Oh, yes; those that
Lacy had confined here. Well, they
will not be here for long. l do not
believe in prisoners, and because l do
business with that dog is no reason
why he is privileged to use this place
to hold his victims. Where is Ca
teras?"
SIN the valley, senior! He went back
down the passage with Silva after
posting US here"
"And the prisonersp'
OCCUPY the two inner cells. Nero
dez here says one of them is a girl"
"A grill" the tall nan laughed.
"That then will account for the I'M
usual interest Of Juan Cateras, and
why he preferred being left in charge.
A girl, hey, Merodez! You saw the
witch? What sort was she?"
IAN American, senior. young, and
good to look at" the other man ex-
planned. "Her eyes as blue as the
Skies"
"Caramba! this Is all pleasant
enough. l will pay my respects to
the lady, and there Is no time like
the present"
He turned away, thumbing his
mustache, quite pleased with his con
ceit, but one Of the men stopped him
with a question.
1--WE remain here, senOrY'
ayes, you might as WELL" his lips
smiling, land if the Senior Cateras
passes, you can tell him that / visit
the fair American. 1t will give him
JOY"
The girl drew Cavendish back hur-
riedly, her mt 1 working in a flash Of
inspiration.
Quick" she breathed in his ear.
There Is a niche where we can hide
a few yards back. If he follows the
other wall he might pass, and not
notice"
"But he goes to your cell it's Pas
cual Mendez."
IL know, but come. He must not
go there. l will tell you my plan"
They were pressed back within the
slight recess before the Mexican
turned the corner, and she had hastily
breathed her desperate scheme.
ut can be DONE" she insisted, land
there is naught else possible. Give me
the revolver. Good! Be silent now"
Mendez came down the black pas
sage evidently in are good humor,
humming Il tune, with one hand
pressed upon the wall TO better guide
his movements. The girl stood erect,
the revolver grlpped in one hand, the
other pressing back her companion
into the recess. She had lost all sense
Of fear In the determination to act;
better risk all than surrender with
out a struggle. Mendez fumbled along
the wall, stumbled ever some slight
projection and swore; another step,
and his cropping hand would touch
her. He never took the step, but was
whirled against the side wall, with
the cold barrel of a revolver pressed
against his cheek. A stern, sibilant
whisper held him motionless.
"Tf you move I fire, senior; raise
your hands-Quick !"
Re responded mechanically. too pro-
foundly astounded to dream of resist
ance. Il was the sound of the voice
which impressed him.
! Santa Maria A woman