The Winslow mail., 1923-09-14


cape. So a detachment departed with
him for Mezquital."
HE was sentenced to be shot Thurs
day at sunset-tOnightP'
"Yes. 1 regret that I can't give you
definite information. If you are friends
Of Stewards - relatives Il might
find"
81 am his wife," interrupted Made
line. "Will you please read these"
She handed him the kilograms. cad
wise me-help me, if you CAM"
With a wondering glance at her the
officer received the kilograms. He
read several, and whistled low in
amaze. His manner became quick,
alert, serious.
81 can't read these written in Span
ish, but / know the names signed"
Swiftly he ran through the others.
"Why, these mean Stewards release
has been authorized. They explain
mysterious rumors we have heard
here. Greaser treachery! For some
strange reason messages from the
rebel junta have failed to reach their
destination. I'll go with you to Cen
eral Salazar, the rebel chief In COM
mand. 1 know him. Perhaps we can
find out something"
Nels made room for the officer. Link
sent the car whirring across the line
into Mexican territory. The road
ended in an immense plaza, in the CEN
ter Of which was a circular structure
that in some measure resembled q
corral. 1t was bull-ring, where the
national sport Of bull-fghting was car
ried on.
Madeline caught a glimpse of tents
inside, then her view was obstructed
by a curious, pressing throng. The
cavalry officer leaped from the car
and pushed his way into the entrance
How sitting was this crowded, ILL
smelling plaza! The sun, red and low
ering, had sloped far down In the west,
but still burned with furnace heat. A
swarm of flies whirled over the car.
The shadows of low-sailing buzzards
crossed Madelines sight. Then she
saw row of the huge, uncanny black
"
| house. They had neither an air of
sleeping nor resting They were wait
ing. She fought off a horrible ghastly
idea before it's full realization.
Suddenly the crowd parted to let the
cavalry officer and a rebel Of striking
presence get to the car.
Madam, it is as l suspected" said
the officer, quickly. "The messages
directing Stewards release never
reached Salazar. They were inter
cepted. But even without them we
might have secured Stewards ex-
change if it had not been for the fact
that one of his captors wanted him
shot. This guerrilla intercepted the
orders, and then was instrumental in
taking Stewart to Mezquital. 1t is ex-
ceedingly sad. Why, he should be a
free man this instant I regret"
"Who did this-this thing?" cried
Madeline, cold and sick. "Who Is the
guerrilla?"
"SenOr Don Carlos MARTINEZ He has
been a bandit, man Of influence in
Sonora. He Is more Of a secret agent
in the affairs of the revolution than an
active participator. But he has seen
guerrilla service"
"Don Carlos Stewart in his power
Oh, God !" Madeline sank down, al
most overcome Then two great hands,
powerful, thrilling, clasped her shoul-
ders, and Nels bent over her.
Miss Majesty, shore we're wastin'
time here" he said. His voice, like his
hands, was uplifting. She wheeled to
him in trembling importantly. How
cold, bright, blue the flash of his eyes
They told Madeline she must not
weaken. But she could not speak her
thought to Nels-couId only look at
Link.
at figgers impossible, but I'll do it ~
said Link Stevens, in answer to her
voiceless query.
Can get permit to go into the in
terior-to MezquitalT asked Madeline
of the officer.
You are going on? Madam, it's a
forlorn hope. Mezquital is hundred
miles away. But there's a chance
!
4 drive this car. The Mexicans are
either murderous or ceremonious in
their executions. The arrangements
for Stewards will be elaborate. But,
barring unusual circumstances, 1t will
take place precisely at the hour desig-
mated. You need no permit. Your mes
sages are official papers, But to save
time, perhaps delay. suggest you take
this Mexican, Senor Monies, with you.
He outranks Don Carlos and knows
the captain of the Mezquital detach-
ment"
81 thank you, sir. shall not forget
your kindness" concluded Madeline.
The white, narrow road flashed out
of the foreground. slipped with incon-
ceivable rapidity under the car. When
she marked a clump of cactus far
| ahead it seemed to shoot at her. to
speed behind her even the instant she