The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-08-17
Copyright.
Doubleday. Doran & Co., Inc.
WNU Service
CHAPTER xI1-continued

catcn the IalnteSL cnanSe, LIE Slight
est flicker of betrayal.
II did not, senor," she said.
"H'm," said Ell Diablo savagely,
"and when you so quickly stopped and
picked from the floor that small brass
can which Senior Parks dropped from
his pocket, you still did not know
what you were finding?"
NO." said Sonya, land would not
now If Manuel there had not told the
Sonora about it-called 1t five-tael
can of black, molasses.'"
Manuel leaped from his seat, talking
swiftly, facing his master. And some
where behind her woman stified
scream. But Diablo was on his feet,
his fist on the table.
"So!" he Numbered, my people talk
behind me, do they? They mention
that which is never to be mentioned?
1 shall deal with you-and you, sonora
later. Now bring me Ounce"
At, that Sonya felt the world go
round for one terrible second. She
clutched the chair back tightly.
And from somewhere at the right
there came the sound Of marching
feet, the swift step Of men obeying a
master, Through the dappled shade cast
by the poplar trees five figures moved
into her line Of vision, four who walked
abreast in twos and in their midst a
fffth-Starr Stone as she had seen
him last, in cowboy boots and dun
garees belted at his lean hips, faded
denim shirt. He had no hat, and his
bronze head shone in the light like
gold, and he had not shaved for days.
He was haggard and his eyes were
large in his tanned face. and his arms
were bound behind him. He was a
prisoner with all a prisoners indigni-
ties heaped upon him, but his tall
form was erect, his blue eyes dark
with the spreading pupils. He strobe
toward the table with his gaze set on
Diablo's face and saw no other in the
silent mass.
"Senor," he said.
"Senor," said Ell Captain, and the
smile was gone from his face. 1t was
black with rising fury.
"For five years, Ounce, you have
been with me-my best and ablest
man. You have done my bidding
quickly. You have led my raids. You
have put my = merchandise = safely
through its secret ways. have called
andyou have come, always. Always until
lately. Lately you have come on laggard
feet. You have held back at my or
ders. You have disobeyed me. And
/ have now the reason. That reason
is woman. A woman whom you have
set before. Ell Captain Diablo. Whose
word has been more to you than my
word Who, through your instruction
doubtless, has come upon the key Of
my activities. Who has caught Qua
tro with the goods in his own store
Who holds Diablo and all his future
in the hollow other hand. Or would
SO hold him had 1t not been for Qua
tro's swift action in the matter. Senior
behold the womanl''
He had half risen again, leaning
with one broad hand on the table.
With the other he pointed dramatical-
~ to Sonya. And like flash Starr
Stone whirled and saw her.
1t was the first inkling he had had
that she was not safe in her own coun-
try, about her own pursuits, and the
shock of it drained his face to a ghast.
ly pallor.
"Sonya" his lips formed sound
lessly.
"Yes," said the girl defiantly, 'they
took me from my horse two nights
ago-kidnaped me-by airplane-and
brought me here because l stumbled
on the fact that Parks is their agent
in the smuggling Of narcotics across
the line They think you told me-
that you and I have planned to double
cross this wicked bandit here-this
beast who says I'm lying!"
She waved hand at Ell Captain,
nodded her black head toward him.
''Ahl A beast, am I? FL Captain
Diablo beast?"
Eyes, senor-and worse" said Sonya
Savarin. "You may kill meas I do
not doubt you will-but am an Amer
lean, and ! do not bend to you, either
in body or soul. We are both Ameri-
cans"
"Oh, Americansl And Americans do
not double-crossT
mo, senor."
swell, we shall see. Quince-atten-
ton. What do you say for yourself?"
The tall man standing in the mot
tied shade looked long in his masters
face. What years Of wrongdoing, Of
obedience. of fear, were in that look
only they two might say. For long
time 1t held between the wild blue
eyes, the deadly black ones.
Then Starr Stone turned to Sonya.
"Sonya," he said distinctly, 'once
told You that a leopard could not
change his spots. A little later told
you that my inner self had changed.
that all my desires, my outlook on
life. had changed with knowing you.