The Coolidge examiner., 1933-01-06
JIM the
CONQUEROR
BY
PETER b. KyNE
Copyright by Peter 3. Kyne.
WNU Service.
CHAPTER IV-Continued

"Yes, / think so. Jimmy can see
through a ladder. But he engaged
you, principally. think. because
he wants the Casa Higuenes to be
running in civilized fashion in case
his luck holds and he should have
the honor of entertaining Miss
Roberta Antrim and her duenna."
why is he so interested in the
niece Of this vicious old man he
had to kill?"
Because Don Jaime Miguel Hig-
uenes is a romantic Mick, that's
why. He saw a full-page rotO-
gravure picture of her in the
Suburban Gentleman, and picked
her for the mother of his children" "
"Oh. dear, he's quite hopeless
She may photograph beautifully
even with red hair, freckles and
green eyes. but she may also be
mean and selfish and irritating ;
she may be without manners"
In that event." said Ken Ho-
bart, "she just won't be the moth.
er of his children. Don Jaime
doesn't want the Higuenes tribe to
vanish from the earth, but he would
prefer to have them vanish rather
than breed something ignoble.
Where will l find this boy of
yoursT" he demanded, to change
the conversation. I'm starting for
Ell Paso now"
Mrs. Ganby wrote a note to the
people with whom she boarded her
crippled son and returned to her
patient.
What a charming man your Mr..
Hobart is. Don Jaime!" she began.
He'll do In pinch"-laconic-
ally.
HE is very devoted to your In
terests."
Don Jaime did not answer. His
glance was out through the arched
gateway. from which the road ran
straight down the valley. A mile
away dust-cloud was gathering on
that road
Somebody is coming In a hur-
ry." he murmured. when they
hurry it's always bad news"
A solitary horseman galloped up
to the gate. threw himself Off and
hurried up the steps.
well. my friend" Don Jaime
Queried In Spanish. "What evil
message do you bring and from
whomT"
Thirty riders crossed the Rio
Grande at daylight, senor. They
are rounding up several hundred
OF the senor's cattle. 1t is a raid"
"My thanks are due you. my
friend. They will not get far. Who
sent you here?"
The American customs agent at
Los Algodones. Don Jaime. He
bids you send your riders to head
them OFF before they recross the
river with your cattle"
Return and tell him | have but
forty men available. The others
are attending a bale at the Ran
cho Verdugo. Forty men will be
sufficient, | think. Return to the
customs agent with my gratitude
for his timely warning and tell him
my men will start in ten minutes,
perhaps less"
The man touched his hat, flung
himself on his horse and galloped
away. Don Jaime lighted cigar
and smoked contentedly, while
Mrs. Candy watched him with
alert curiosity.
Presently Ken Hobart. arrayed
in his town" clothes. came to an.
nounee his impending departure.
Delay il until tomorrow, Ken"
his employer ordered casually. Il
have job for you" And he re.
counted the tale brought by his re
cent visitor. Take forty men and
ride for the river. If this mans
tale is the truth you will have work
there. think. however, he lies.
Have Caraveo arm the other men
available and instruct him to have
them remain in the barns with
their horses until send him word
that he is not going to be needed. :"
"A plant. eh?"
I've been expecting reprisal
Ken. told this messenger | had
but forty men available but would
send them Immediately. Go with
them. Then we shall see that
which We shall see. | smell sheen. :"
Hobart departed to fulfill his or
ders. and Don Jaime stretched
himself for his siesta.
Suddenly he opened his eyes and
turned to Mrs. Candy. please tell
FlaviO To assist me to enter nv
house, he said. There is more
dust to the south. We shall have
visitors-about ten, think"
When the Indian came Don
Jaime spoke TO him in Spanish.
The old peon picked Don Jaime up
in his strong arms. carried him in
side and laid him on a sofa. Then
he departed casually.
you will oblige me by locking
AID bolting that door, Mrs. Ganby,"
Don Jaime requested gently.