The St. Johns herald., 1921-08-04

senor. dead. You know how he die? Eet was a quarrel with SenOr Laud an Senor Hanley-they keel heem, the two against the one. not know what happen. I wait in the cabin for Juan to come, but he stay away. No one tell me teeI an Indian boy come an he tell. Then I know Juan Is dead. an I go crazy like that. I am Span- ish, senor; hate an love-then only hateI I would avenge my brother; {; would keel the man that keeled heem. care only for to do that. He was there in this cabin; creep up an see. Eet was dark in there, yet saw hees face. He could not see me, but aim. Senor MackIin was there too, an the other girl, but care not then for them at all. hate an see only the one hate. Santa Mariel Why was eet sOr'
 "You shot the wrong manT'
 "Si, senor. Senor Macklin, he step forward quick just when l fire; he drop an l run"
 Shelby felt Olga grip him and heard ner voice dL HIS eur.
 "She never heard what Macklin said don't let her know"
 He crushed the question already on his lips back into his throat.
 "Yes," Shelby said: T see how 1t happened. now. And what did you do then, Pancha"
 She was not sobblng. but her quick breathing gave the impression in the darkness.
 "What { do, senor7 I pray the Vir- gin that I may save heem. Then 1 remember this passage from the ravine. How I know eet? Juan and 1, we live in the cabin a month; twas then l found eet. I was underneath when you fought, senor; then, when you were both outside got heem-
 "Macklin. you mean? He was alive?"
 "Yes. senor, alive. Maybe he live, maybe he die: know not. do what can. Eet took long time; even I carried heem alone.'
 ''But how did you get across that cave-in of earth?"
 ''Eet was not there; eet come lat CT" she explained. q would go back, senor. when they fired the cabin, but the earth had caved and could not get through"
 ITO help usT'
 "Si, senor; to help you and me. What could I do alone? That is why I tell you; why I talk. Bet is not for you, nor for me. I would save heem an only can eet be done if I have help. I do all I can-Madre de Dios, yes. But how get heem out, senorT'
 "But why not call the othersT" Shelby asked suddenly in suspicion. ''What danger is Macklin In?"
 "You know not?" in surprise. "The Indian boy tell me-he an Hanley. They plan eet all out. Twas because Juan would not be one of them they keel heem. They would hold her for ransom they say a man comes soon here who would pay much so they try to put out of the way Senor Macklln. Iris to get her that Slagin go to the cabin; he fail, and then Senor Laud try another way. He not know when he come that Senor Macklin get back. No one know"
 Shelby smothered an oath; the whole foul plot suddenly revealed to him in all its hideousness. This then was what these f1ends had been pIan- ming; 1t was plot within plot; crimI- nal against criminal. He was blind not to have perceived the truth be- fore; now it stood before him in all it's sheer nakedness. MacklIn's drunk en boast had brought forth it's full brood; Hanley, too brainless and cowardly to lead, had told all he knew to Indian -embellished it, no doubt and 1t was just the sort of thing the latter was eager to get his hands into seemingly safe game, with good stake. Shelby reached out and drew Olga closer to him In the dark ness.
 q understand, now" he said terse- ly. We've got to fight this out to- gether. All right, I'm ready. What is 1t you want me to do? Can Mack lin waIkY'
 "No, senor; think maybe he verra bad of; he not speak now for long time Maybe you tell what we do for heem."
 "Pm afraid not, Pancha. I've doc tored some wounds. but I'm no expert. Where is he? Oh, here"
 He bent down in the dark and touched the motionless figure. His fn- gers sought the mans pulse, which showed weak but rapid.
 "Where was the wound?"
 "In the right chest, senor."
 "And you have dressed and oand-