The Holbrook news., 1921-07-15


 breathing gave the impression in the darkness.
 What do, senor? I pray the Vir- gin that I may save heem. Then I remember this passage from the ravine. How know eet? Juan and I, we live in the cabin a month; twas then I found eet. I was underneath when you fought, senor; then, when you were both outside I got heem-"
 'Macklin, you mean? He was alive?"
 "Yes, senor alive. Maybe he live, maybe he die; know not. do. what I can. Eet took long time; even l carried heem alone"
 "But how did you get across that cave-in of earth?'
 "Eet was not there; eet come lat er," she explained. "I would go back, senor, when they fired the cabin, but the earth had caved and I could not get through"
 "To help us?'
 "Si, senor; to help you and me. tell you; why talk. Eet is not | for you, nor for me. I would save heem an only can eet be done if I have help. I do all can-Madre de Dios, yes. But how I get heem out, senorT
 'But why not call the others?" Shelby asked suddenly in suspicion. ''What danger is Macklin in?"
 You know not?' in surprise. "The | Indian how faI1 ho Hop1ou | 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 Macklin. 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 fiends had been plan ming; it was plot within plot; crimi- nal against criminal He was blind not to have perceived the truth be- fore; now 1t stood before him in all its sheer nakedness. Macklins drunk en boast had brought forth its full brood; Hanley, too brainless and cowardly to lead, had told all he knew to Indian -embellished 1t, no doubt and it was just the sort of thing the latter was eager to get his hands intO-seemingly q safe game, with a Onn6 cfol-n Chnlhx- drew Olga closer to him in the dark ness.
 ''I understand, now" he said terse- ly. ''We've got to fight this out to- gether. All right, I'm ready. What Is it you want me to do? Can Mack lin walk?"
 'No, senOr; I think maybe he verra bad off; he not speak now for long time. Maybe you tell what we do for heem."
 'Im 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 fin- gers sought the mans pulse, which showed weak but rapid
 ''Where was the wound?"
 'In the right chest, senor."
 And you have dressed and band aged it?"
 ''Yes, senor; the best I could. I tore up my underskirt"
 Do you know if he bIed much?"
 Mot since I found heem-no; eet was very little. You think maybe he live, senor?"
 "I am unable to answer that, Pan cha" he replied sOberly, rising to his feet. "The man is evidently hard hit, weak from loss of blood and in a coma now from fever. This is no place for him. If we could get him out into the open, bandage his wound properly and get doctor for the ball he might have a fair chance. I can say no more than that"
 "A doctorI Where would there be a doctor?"
 '1 know of none this side of Ger lasche; an army surgeon is at the camp there; no doubt he would come"
 "Gerlaschel And-and he could save heem, senOr?"
 lie mlgnt; l can promise nothing but that would be the only hope"
 ''But you will help me? You pledge that?"
 q will do whatever I can," Shelby said earnestly. q hardly know how we are going to manage it. Once out side, we might find some poles, rig up litter. and so get along, the three of us."
 "Yes," interposed Olga sympathet- ically, i've must do that If possible. He cannot be left to die alone in this horrible place. I am strong, and will 1 help all I can. Could we now start at once?" Just a moment. Is there an en- trance not far away, Pancha?
 Not 50 feet, senor." Then we ought to hear any firing or shouting without. Everything seems quiet. Let's make the effort | now" He sent the Mexican girl on in ad- vance, and lifted the unconscious Macklin upon his back. Olga partially | supporting the helpless body. The | wounded man groaned at the first | movement, but lapsed immediately | into silence again, and Shelby moved | slowly forward with his burden along |