The Coolidge examiner., 1933-02-24
CHAPTER x-Continued

4
dones.' he announced suddenly.
There's something about the at
mosphere of that town that aids
my powers OF divination."
Am | invited to ride back with
you? Or must | NOPE around the
house until you return?"
Il think you had better NOPE. |
have need TO do some thinking
and you ditch my train OF
thought" he looked at her keen
ly. earnestly, and without the
flicker OF love-light In his eyes.
Are you enjoying your visit at
Vale Verde. Bobby? I've won
dered II you didn't feel a bit lone
Iy and neglected here"
"Oh, no, JIMMY You're such a
friendly. comfortable person when
you are around the house. WIN
you return from Los Algodones in
time for dinner. Jimmy?"
IL don't know. I'll do my best
TO complete my business and be
back In time. don't relish driv-
ing around this country at night
because Just at present, for me, at
least the night has a number OF
eyes"
"You mean"
Il mean that your foreman. Bill
Dingle. has been across the Line,
and something tells me he went
there 10 hire some renegade to
bump me off. | don't particularly
blame him for that. A man acts
according TO his lights. and ! gave
Dingle and his men a pretty tough
deal"
"But you went to town today un-
armed. JIMMY"
he shook mis- head. half removed
his tropical whipcord coat and dis
played a gun under each arm, In a
shoulder holster. Il try to appear
non-pOisonous of the RANCH" he
explained. "Well. I'm pretty safe
In daylight, but coming home In
the dusk I'd Just as lief have
good man for company. SO you
stay home. Roberta. and I'll take
Ken Hobart with me. He's very
reliable"
With a careless nod he left her,
20 drive over to the mems quarters
for his foreman. Roberta stood In
the patio entrance and watched
him-saw Ken Hobart come out OF
the saddle room. receive his orders
and go TO his own adobe bungalow
for his coat and a couple of car
hines and ammunition belts. Then
the two drove away. and Roberta.
with terror In her heart, went to
her room and wept. as her lively
imagination pictured Don Jaime
Miguel Higuenes. all bloody and
limp. lying in the deep gray dust
OF the road TO Los AlgodOnes.
In the cool of the late afternoon
Don Jaime dropped into vacant
chair beside Crooked Bill on the
veranda of the Mansion house. after
first inquiring. in Spanish. If by
any chance the chair was reserved
for any friend of his
Not at ALL" Crooked Bill replied
in the same language. albeit halt
ingly, for the years had been long
since his tongue had caressed so
many vowels. Help yourself. my
friend"
Il thank you" Don Jaime replied
in English. Il observe you do not
speak Spanish too well. | beg par
don for addressing you in that
tongue. but observing that you ap
pear To be of this country | sup
posed you spoke the language of
the country"
Never was much OF a hand at
foreign languages" Crooked Bill
replied with the utmost friendl
ness I'm stranger here" he
added. My names Blodgett-Wil-
liam Blodgeit."
Il am pleased TO meet you, MIR.
Blodgert. am Jaime Miguel Hig-
uenes"
Crooked Bill started noticeably.
The Ill you are;" he burst out.
unguardedly.
An. you have heard of me?" Don
Jaime's face betokened mild sur
prise and inquiry.
why, yes. Senior Higuenes-it
you will forgive me for bringing
up delicate subject believe
you're the young man who waited
old Tom Antrim into the bosom of
Abraham"
Il had the pleasure" Don Jaime
replied modesfly
Would you mind shaking hands
with me. Senior Higuenesi by the
holy poker. that was tirst-class
job of work you did on Tom. I'm
delighted 10 meet you, sir"
THE pleasure is mutual, Mr
Blodgeft. You knew Antrim?"
Il should tell man. He
skinned me on cow deal once
That rascal was so low he could
kiss rat without bending his
knees
hon Jaime smiled. II believe.