The Lamar register., 1920-06-16
eospynsA. By a.aa.n Parr.sN

Ter tuhu WHIT sOu pAuhhtN hca AHN'
Now lead on. No. listen first. | know
who you are and your power here.
That is why we took this chance Of
making you prisoner. We are des-
perate; II is either your life, or ours,
senior. You are an outlaw. with a
price on your head, and you realize
what chances one will take to escape.
Now. there is just one opportunity
given you to live"
What. senoritai"
That you accompany US down this
passage into the valley as hostage.
You will compel your men. II We en-.
counter any. to furnish US horses"
But the men may not obey. / can
not promise; Senor Cateras-"
"senor Cateras will not be there"
she interrupted sharply. "we have
already seen TO Senior Cateras. The
others will obey your
They may: l cannot promise"
Then II will be your own loss; for
II there be a shot fired, you will get
either a bullet or a knife thrust.
would try no sharp tricks, Senor
Mendez- Now we 60 on"
Mendez smiled grimly In the DARK
bis mind busy. II am to go firstr
and his voice assumed polite defer
snce.
Beside Mr.. Cavendish." she replied
-and / will be behind
This gentleman. you meanT'
Yes: and there is no need for any
more acting This is the revolver
pressing against your back. senor. l
could scarcely miss you at that dis
tance-
They advanced In silence, through
the faint CLEAN Of light which IL
iumined the passage through the stone
Sits over the cell doors.
The darkness swallowed them
again. but the way was clear. and.
once around the sharp turn. a glim-
mer OF distant daylight made advance
easier. There was no sign OF any
guard visible. nor any movement per-
eeptible In the open vista beyond the
save entrance. The girl touched
Nendez' arm.
"You expect Lacyr'
Il have sent for him: IL was yester-
day"
"And he could be here nowr'
mot before night: IT Is a hard ride /:
why ask all thisf
II have reasons. Now another
thing: where are your menr'
His eyes wandered to the CLEAN OF
daylight.
There Will be one or two In the
bunk-house likely the others are with
the cattle up the valley"
But none In your cabinr'
he shook his head.
And you say Lacy cannot get here
before darkT How later
well. senOrita. | may as well tell
you. ! suppose. Ii Is the rule not to
enter this valley after dark / expect
the Americanos To arrive about ten
o'clock"
The Amsricanosf"
Isl, there will be three In the party.
one OF them a man from New York.
who has business with me"
Her clear. thoughtful eyes turned
lnquiringly toward Cayendish. but the
survey brought with 1t no encourage
ment. The nan meant well. no doubt,
and would fight vallantly on occasion (;
be was no coward, no weakling-equal-
iy clear his was not the stun from
which leaders are made. There was
uncertainty In his eyes, a lack OF force
In his face which told the story. What
ever was decided upon. OF accom-
pllshed, must be by her yolltiOn; she
could trust him to obey. but that was
all.
Then We will make no attempt TO
leave the valley until after dark she
said slowly. Even II We got away
now, We would be pursued and over
taken. for the desert offers few
chances for concealment. II we can
reach that smaller cabin unseen we
ought 10 be safe enough there for
hours. Cateras will not bother. and
With Mendez captive his men will not
learn what has occurred. Is not this
our best plan. Mr.. Cavendish?'
And at nightr
"We must work some scheme to gel
horses and depart before those others
reach here. II We leave this man Sc
cursly bound. his plight will not even