The Arvada enterprise., 1923-10-04


cape. So 4 detachment departed with
him for Me.quital."
he was sentenced to be shot Thurs.
day at sunset-tonightr'
Yes. l regret that l can't give you
dennite Information. II you are friends
OF Stewart's- relatives might
find"
Il am his WIFE," interrupted Made
line. "Will you please read these"
she handed him the kilograms. "Ad-
wise me-help me, II you cant"
With 4 wondering glance at her the
officer received the kilograms, He
read several. and whlstled low In
amaze. His manner became quick,
alert. serious.
i can't read these written in Span
ish. but l 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 so with you to Cen
eral Salazar, the rebel chief In COM
mnnd. 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 a
corral. 1t was a bull-ring. where the
national sport Of bull-nghting was car
ried on.
Madeline caught 4 glimpse OF tents
inside. then her view was obstructcd
by 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-saillng buzlards
crossed Madeline's sight. Then she
saw a row Of the huge, uncanny black
birds sitting upon the tiled roof Of a
house. They had neither an air of
sleeping nor resting. They were walt
Ing. She fought of 4 horrible CHASTITY
idea before its full realization.
Suddenly the crowd parted to let the
cavalry ofiicer and q rebel Of striking
presence get to the car.
Madam. It Is as 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 II 1t 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 bs q
free man this instant. regret"
"Who did this-this thing1' cried
Madeline, cold and sick. "Who IL the
guerrillaT
"SenOr Don Carlos Martinez. He Ia,
been a bandit. q man Of influence IL
Sonora. He II more Of secret agen
In the affairs OF the revolution than ar
active participator. But he has seer
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 hi.
hands, was uplifting. She wheeled tt
him In trembling importantly. How
cold. bright. blue the flash Of his eyes
They told Madeline she must moi
weaken. But she could not speak her
thought to Nels-could only look a
Link.
ut figgers impossible. but I'll do II =
said Link Stevens. In answer to hel
voiceless query.
"Can l get 4 permit to 70 into the in
terlor-to MezquitalT' asked Madeline
Of the officer.
"You are going on1 Madam. IT'S Z
forlorn hope. Mezqnitnl 10 hundred
miles away. But there's . chance
the barest chance II your man car
drive this car. The Mexicans are
either murderOus or cercmOnious II
their executions. The arrangement
for Stewarts will he elaborate. But
barring unusual circumstances, II vii
take place precisely at the hour dcsig
mated. You need no permit. Your mes
sages are Official papers. But 10 save
time. perhaps delay. I suggest you TAKE
this Mexican. Senior Monies. with you
He outrnnks Don Carlos and knows
the captain Of the Mczquitnl detnch
mcnt."
~ thank you. sir. shall not forget
your Kindness" concluded Madeline.
The white. narrow road flashed out
Of the foreground. slipped with incon
ceivnble rapldlty under the car Wh"r
she marked . clump Of cactus faI
ahead Il seemed to shoot st her. tt
speed behind her even the instant she