RUN TO EARTH.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 15, Issue 30, 15 April 1904, Page 7

RUN TO EARTH.

(All Rights Reserved.)

Hy the Author of “The Ralph Trevor Plot,” “The Triple Mystery,” &c., &c.

j PART 18. > NICK CARTER DETECTIVE STORY , ‘ —OF AN—INFAMOUS FINANCIAL V FRAUD. I ■ CHAPTER XXI. | I' THE HOLD-UP. In the darkness of the ( early morning, more than an hour before t he stage was due to leave Peach Springs, a party of horsemen, four in number, rode rapidly out of the tov, n by the northern trail, and headed for the mountains. Later in the day, at a time when their movements were of material importance, they came to a halt in a spot quite worthy of brief description, being particularly well adapted to the desperate enterprise already planned. The spot was in one of the mountain passes, making nearly north and south, and on the direct stage route from Peach Springs. Although quite wild in places the pass was exceedingly devious and rocky, enclosed on both sides by precipitous hills, sparsely covered with a growth of scrubby codars and cactus patches, amid vast quantities of huge boulders of granite and sandstone. Only the western side of the pass available for travel, and the circuitous road lay along the dry bed of a water course some twenty foot below, and which then was thickly grown with low cottonwoods and a dense tangle of vines and bushes. In the chaparral just beyond a rugged promontory, around which the road made a sharp turn, the four horsemen had secured their animals, without removing their trappings. ' ® The place selected waa one in which travellers north would have no view of the party until in its very midst. About the middle of tho afternoon one of the four men was seated far up the face of the promontory, at an elevation which gave him a view of the foothills several miles to the south, over which tho stage was soon due to appear. The sentinel who was to warn the others of its approach, was Jose Levira. One of the others lay stretched upon the ground outside tho thicket concealing their horses. He lay with his sullen eyes fixed upon tho gaunt figure of a man who was pacing nervously to and fro a few feet away. Though both were roughly clad and their faces disguised, there was no masking the stubby, heavy figure of Gilbert Elkins, nor the lean lankiness of his servile hireling Jordan Riggs. That the frown of fortune was depressing these two scouudrels and that Elkins had reached that state of desperation which shrinks from no kind of evil, as well as being in the worst possible humour, was manifest in his look, and in the captious words which presently broke with an, oath through his heavy false beard. " V* liy, tho d don’t you sit down Jordan?” he demanded angrily. “ You’d drive a Chinaman to hard drink with your internal uneasiness.” Riggs wrung his clawlike fingers together, and shook his shaggy head with a sort of pathetic despair. “ I can’t sit down, Gilbert,” ho whined, ruefully. ‘T really can’t.” “ that’s the reason that you can’t ? ’■ " I'm too nervous to sit down.” " Bah ! Y T ou don’t have to sit on your nerves ! What’s the matter with you ? ” “I don’t like this business a bit.” ” Nor would I like it,” retorted Elkins, with irritable disdain. ‘‘But think of the stoke. It’s a fortune, you infernal old woman.” “ Don’t you get rude to mo, Gilbert ! ” “ I thought you had some sand in you but you’ve not got enough to fill an hour gloss. Do you think I have tracked this woman away out here to let the matter drop at the last moment ? Not I, you dog.” ‘‘But I. didn’t bargain or anything so desperate os this, Gilbert. Indeed, I didn’t." “ Well, you are in it, bargain or no bargain.” “ And that’s tho worst part of it,” whined Riggs, hopelessly. “ There may be bloodshed, and I don’t like tho idea of running my neck into a hemp tie. If you had only followed my advice ” ‘‘ Your advice bo blowed,” cried Elkins, vehemently. “ I have followed It for tho most part, and an infernal lot of good has cotfie of it. You thought it would bo easy to get the best of Ethel Dare upon the train, but there were rats in your garret. You thought when you stole her satchel from her sloeping-berth that you ■surely had secured the certificate ; but again you were mistaken. There is just one use you are fit for, Riggs, and always were” “ What’s that, Gilbert ? whined the restless wretch. " To steal and wriggle after your victims, and sting them in the heel, like a snake under a fresh cut of gross.—You make a good spy ; but yod’re good for nothing else. I’ve

tf»ne with that sort of work, I'd have you know ; and now I will etrQte a .winning Wow or a losing one, lot come what may.” “ ,yid why wouldn’t it have been just' as well to have forced her room last night, a a I suggested ? Chavez would have • ” You talk like a fool,” muttered Rigors, with angry contempt. ” I will not have it appear that an attempt has been made solely to rob Ethel Dare. It would make her case too strong in the event of a suit to show that the loss of the Slang Pe certificate was the result of my designs. The theft must be accomplished in a more general way. You say you are certain that she still has it with her. If, then you can successfully hold up the stage, and rob'” ” But Gilbert “ Oh, don’t protest against it ! I know you think it is dangerous and tremble for the safety of your miserable neck. But I did not wire out here to Chavez for nothing, and I moan to do what I have undertaken, or go down for good and all in the attempt. I will now waylay her though the devil himself ” " It will be worse than the devil, Gilbert, if blood is shed hero to-day and Judge Lynch takes a hand in adjusting the affair.” ” Senor, your comrade seems t* be afraid,” coolly interposed Chavez, who hud approached unobserved around the boulders at the base of the promontory. He still was in Mexican dress and heavily armed —the same swarthy, evil-eyed man who had been the companion of Big Bill Jewell when he met his death at the hands of Nick Carter. Elkins rose quickly to his feet. ” Is the stage in sight ? ” he exclaimed, excitedly. “ Not yet, senor, or it was not when I came down,” replied Chavez in cold tones, and with a composure which indicated that he was no novice in such desperate ventures. “I thought that might have sent you down hero.” “ It will come soon enough, senor and Levira will hasten down to tell us.” "That’s all right then.” " And Senor Riggs had better conceal himself in the chaparral, if ho is afraid.” " I’m not anxious to have my neck stretched longer than it is,” retorted Riggs, dismally. " He only thinks as I do,” explained Elkina, taking a drink from a flask drawn from his pocket, "•that, if bloodshed can be avoided ” " Child’s talk,” interrupted Chavez, with a mingled sneer and frown. " Do you think such deeds are done without violence ? As for me it matters little whether I hang for a man killed to-day or for a man killed last month. Now hark, you, Senor Elkins ! ” " Well, Chavez ? " The Mexican drew nearer, dropping into the hollow of his arm the line Henry rifle with which he was provided. There was a slight euhl of his thin lips, and in the evil glitter of his intense black eyes there appeared a threat as mutely significant as that conveyed by the repeated tapping of one of the revolvers at his bolt. Looking Elkins in the face he said, slowly. " Let me bo sure that I understand you, senor ? ” " Understand what ? ” " What I already have •wived for doing 1 this work is but part. Am I right ? ” "To be sure , Chavez. You already know it.” "I only know what you say, senor. But the remainder is to come when you have secured the paper, and legally have established your right to its equivalent in the Slang ■•Pc mine. Am I right ? ” " That is the bargain, Chavez.” "I am to receive one-quarter of the profits ? ” " You have ray word for that.” The Mexican drew still a little nearer. "I do not know just what your word may bo worth, senor, but if you deal treacherously with Manuel Chavez, he will not care about your word, for he will take your life instead. Merely bear that in mind ! ” " You shall find me on the square, Chavez,” protested Elkins, growing pale at the : terrible menace reflected in the eyes of the Mexican. "I give you my Word you will And me on the square.” " That is well. Be sure that I do.” The sound of a long, shrill whistle from far. overhead caused Chavez instantly to drop this one doubtful feature of the enterprise. Leaping out from the thicket until he could gaze up the rugged face of the cliff, he cried, quickly. "The stage must be in sight, senor ! ” "Are you sure ? ” "Do you not see?” and,tho Mexican pointed upwards. " Levira is hastening down.” " What is next to be done ? ” demanded Elkins, now beginniim to tremble with excitement. “ Done, eh ? After the main work is done, wo shrill ride. to his house, sixteen miles below hero, which we can easily make before nightfall.” ” And then ? ” " Then we will rest until the moon rises when we will cross the mountains and make direct for San Bernardino.” " California ? ” ” I know no other. From there you can go by rail to ’Frisco, and at once start East.” " Then you fear immediate pursuit for this job ? ” “ Carramba ! Do you think we shall not be pursued ? You do not know as I do, senor, what follows the holding up of the Arizona stage.” " But ” " Oh the trail cannot be taken up

till morning senor. Tbe news cannot reach the settlement before night, when suspicions will’ rise s#• muse the stage fails to arrive. we shall have a start which ——Qwramla ! You come quick," Levira ! Where ia the stage ? ” ‘‘ By this time .it has entered the canyon,” replied the middle-aged man, who now joined the party. "It will be ten minutes Levira, before It reaches here,” Chavez coolly answered. ” Remember that the woman must not recognise me,” cried Elkins in growing excitement. " That will ruin all. My name must not be spoken.” " There will be no need, senor,” said Chavez. ” I will show you how easily the job may be done. Kneel in that thicket, you two, and have your guns ready in case of trouble. You, Levira, come with me. The boulder will do for us.” "Or half the boulder, Chaves.” *' Who is with the driver, Levira?” “ One man only.” “ Cover him when I drop one of the leaders ! ” cried Chavez, now moving more quickly. ” Santa Maria ! And shoot him at once if he starts to pull a gun." “ The driver ? ” “ Leave the driver to me," said Chavez, with icy self-possession. Meanwhile their preparations lor the encounter had been made. Trembling in every nerve and fibre, and with his yellow skin turned to a milky whiteness Riggs had followed Elkins into the chaparral, where both knelt out of observation in the thick growth of alders and bush. Chavez and his companion, however, crouched back of a boulder nearer the shax>p turn of the road, and with their rifles in hand coolly awaited the vehicle’s approach. Ten minutes passed yet not another word was spoken. In grim silence, with ears attained with fingers restlessly caressing their rifle-stocks, the robbers patiently waited. The sun declining below the summits of tho loftier hills, sent darker shadows stealing down tho wooded declivities and into the cavernous depths of the ravine ; while the songs of the birds on tho uplands above were hushed as If in dread of that which was to come. Then the silence of the mojwtto solitude was broken. There sounded the distant gringing of wheels over the rocky ground, tho metallic crash of sfaoddon hoofs on flinty ledges and repeated cracks of whip, and tho hoarse, encouraging cries of Joe Harlow, as he urged his tired beasts to the summit of tho long acclivity which approached tho sharp bend of the road where it rounded the face of the ragged rock, "Ready, Levira!'" muttered Chavez in whose eyes the glow of devilish excitement was like living fire. " I am ready ! " Almost with the words the two leaders of the stage team began plunging around tho bond, and the hoarse grating of tho brake under the pressure of Harlow’s feet mingled with the clatter of hoofs and the sound of rattling harness and rumbling wheels. For an instant o*ly Chavoe held hia fire. Then, Just as the polo horses and the rumbling vehicle itself swung Ln to view, his rifle swung to his shoulder Bang ! The report thundered through tho ravine, and almost instantly waa echoed from the opposite wall of hills. With the cowardly bullet embedded where life lay, the off loader threw up her head with a screa,m of nlrnost human anguish, then lounged forward with a fearful lungo *.n.l camo to the ground with a crash, dragging down her mate to L?s knees while tho impetus of tho heavy coach drove tho polo team ovpr both, and threw the other horses into utterly indescribable fright and confusion. Like a flash Levira leaped from concealment, bounded to the opposite side of the road and threw Us rifle up to his shoulder. “Throw up your hands!” be yelled, fiercely. “Up, or I’ll shoot.” Chick instantly obeyed. He knew better than to defy a man who plainly had the drop on him. Not so Joe Harlow, however, who felt he had his reputation at stake. He did not speak. As a matter of fact he never spoke again. But his hand went to the cushion at the bock of him, and the report of his revolver answered the robber's threat. It was echoed by another. Chaves, unobserved as yet, throw up his weapon and instantly shot the driver through the head. When the smoke from the miscreant’s rifle lifted, dauntless Joe Harlow had pitched forward from his lofty seat and was lying dead under tho hoofs 0/ his horses. The terrible tragedy, sickening in its cowardice brought Elkins rushing from his concealment. “ Good Heaven, Chavez ! ” he cried, wildly as he approached. " You should not have shot.” “ Hold, senor ! Wait here !” thundered the Mexican. With the best of intentions, for he was not positive as to the number of occupants of the stage, or what dangers therefrom might be imminent, he caught at Elkins to, prevent' his approach, and by accident loosened and tore away, tho heavy black beavd by which tho latter’s features were disguised. Instantly a, woman’s scream—the scream of a woman who till then was dumb with terror—rang with bloodcurdling intensity from within the coach. "Oh ! Oh, merciful heavens ! Gilbert Elkina—here !”

©STAPTBB »XEk CONVERGING FORCE*. "PnV an hour later, and 5.% a fn the mountain pass some four miles beyond, two men came together from opposite directions. One was the man from Yuma— Chick Cartel’. The other • was riding a magnificent sorrel horse, and was clad very like a country parson. They came together at the brow of a gentle rise, from which the ravine coursed to the northern highlands ; and the rider instantly reigned in his horse, and swept a quick glance over the man afoot. It must be remembered that both were in disguise. "Hello, stranger !” he cried. "Hello, yourself 1” cried the man from Yuma. And he pushed back his broad sombrero, and thrust his hands into the depths of his pockets, then burst out laughing. He had recognised Nick's voice. “Well, I’ll be darned !” roared the latter, leaping down from his horse, "Chick !” "Hello, Nick !” cried Chick, extending his hand. And the palms of tho two detectives met with a more than genial and joyous handshake. "Well, Chick, what are you doing here afoot ?” demanded Nick, when their greeting was over. "I hadn’t any. option In tho matter.” cried Chick. "My wishes were not consulted. I took a chance, sir, when four infernal cutthroats wore not looking, and legged it for dear life. Here’s a bullcthole ir. my sunbonnet, which shows how near they came to dropping me after I had started.” "Something has happened I ” exclaimed Nick. "I should say happened ! It was more than a case of happen, Nick. The stage was held up four miles below here, less than an hour ago.” "The duce you say ! "It Is a fact, Nick. Tho driver was shot dead, Ethel Dare taken prisoner, and your humble servant j "only effected his escape by the skin I of his toeeh.” "Who were the desperadoes ? "Who do you think ? " "Not Elkins ? ” "That hits the nail on tho head, Nick. Ha and Riggs, aided by two dirty-facod greasers.” "Do you. know tkeir names?” "I heard on* of them called Chavez.” "By Heaven ! it was Manuel Chavez !” cried Nick, at once. ‘ Ihu whole dastardly job is plain enough now.” “Then you know the man ?” "I know of him,” said Nick. “I ■ have heard the whole story from Hillary Dare.” I "Then you have also run across I Dare ? ” "Yes, Chick, and he has turned out all that I predicted. The ‘Slang Pe mine was ‘salted’ by this man, Chavez, and I’ve been hunting about for the past forty-eight hours, bi the watch Jor him. He was at the Black ! Panther three days ago, but suriden- { ly disappeared. Undoubtedly Elkina 1 communicated with him in some way and they, have held up the stage, to rob Ethel Dare of that certificate.” "That was just it !” cried Chick. "But Elkins met with a mishap, and Bthel Dare recognised him. That ! mads It necessary for them to hold her a prisoner, even if they, do no I worse than that. Hen testimony would convict them all.” I "She must be rescued,”, said Nick, ' decisively. ! "But you haven’t told mo why you are riding here alone.” j "That’s quickly explained,” said Nick. "Soon after noon I received the note you sent from Peach Springs.” "Yes ? ” “I was taking dinner with Hillary Dare at tho time. I did, not disclose myself to him when I first met him, for I wanted to learn what sort ;of a man ho had become. Yesterday I made myself known, and told him the whole buaineeg.” “Glad to hoar from his wife ? ” “You bet he was ! ” cried Nick"Of course I did not know where you were until I got your note this noon. That informed my that you and Mrs. Dare was, coming by to-day’s stage.” “I remember.” ‘T at once told Dare all about it, and that his wife was coming hero to seek him.” "With what results, Nick V "Just what might have been expected,” laughed. Nick. "You could j not have Imld him with a yoke of I oxen. He mounted his horse and I started straight away to meet the stage.” "How long ago was that ? ” "Not more than an hour.” "But I have not seen hkn ! ” cried Chick. "You must have missed him since leaving the stage, after it was hold up.” "May be so.” A "It is ten to offo IBeft HiUary Dane is bow in pursuit of 1 this gang” "By Jove ! that’s so.” "After Dare departed,” continued Nick, “I thought I would stretch myself with a bit of exercise, so I borrowed Jim Hoxie’s horse for a ride. I cam* this way, thinking that I, too, might meet tho stage.” "It’s lucky you did.” "I should say so.” "What’s to be done first ? ” "You say Joe Harlow was killed ?’ "Dead as a doornail,” nodded Chick. "Where was tho stage held up ? ” •• "Just about four miles away, straight through tho pass.” "Thou I can find tho place ? ” "Quite easily. You can’t miss it.” ! "Of course, Elkins did not recognise you, Chick ? ” "Not he ! If he had, I reckon my light would have been put out at once.” ■ "There shall be more than one light put out to pay for this job,” rejoined Nick.

TEare naa settled on ms expression of jrlxn and terrible d®« tWmination which orlmljjaJs hai learned both to read and dread. He turned and laid his hand on the bridle of his horse, and drew the | animal nearer. “What’s the plan, Nick ? ” demanded Chick, instantly surmising that the great detective had decided what to do. “Listen ! ” cried Nick. “I’m all ears, old man.” “Go straight to the Black. Panther at the top of your speed, Chick, the distance is six miles and the road easy to follow. You can reach there in an hour.” “In less time. What then ? ” "Go at once to Jim Hoxie and tell him the whole story.” “Yes.” “Tell him that Joe Harlow has been murdered. Say that Hillary Dare’s wife is a prisoner in the hands of the desperadoes, and that Nick Carter sends for a volunteer posse of men to hunt the devils down.” “And you Nick ? ” “Say that I already have taken up the pursuit !” cried Nick. “I can follow their trail, and Hillary Dare, if I am right in my suspicions, may need xny aid. He will prove no match • for ruffians like these ; but they shall know what it moans to have Nick Carter on their track in a cause like this.” “ I’m with you Nick,” cried Chick with a wave of his sombrero. “ Tell Hoxie,” continued Nick, “to send a posse to the mouth of the Pekoe Pass, sixteen miles south and head off their flight in that direction. Tell him to send but he will know Chick ! Tip us your hand and then be off ! “ I-1I not be far behind you Nick. We’ll ride like the wind, once we’re under way.” “Be off then and bear the news!” cried Nick, as they again shook hands. “As tor me I’ll now run Elkins to earth for good and all, as I more than once have threatened Away with you Chick, and tell the boys to be up and follow ! Chick dropped the detective’s hand and started on a run up the pass, and soon was out upon the open plateau beyond. Nick vaulted into his saddle. The look of stern determination on his . face intensified as he gave his horse the spur. He rode at breakneck speed down the hazardous declivity where a, rolling stone or a treacherous foot of ground meant a plunge and/ crash to death on the flinty rocks below. Ho sank lower in his saddle as the moments passed with head and shoulders bowed nearly to the neck of the rushing steed— a horse with ear&pointed, with nostrils spread and eyes inflamed with excitement. Stride ■ upon stride over; the sounding earth with mettle ‘as dauntless and energy as tireless as if her life was fed by the very blood that burned for justice in the heart and veins of her fearless rider, the horse thundered on and on until the scene of the tragedy was reached There an awful picture mot the gaze of the detective. Joe Harlow lay dead under the horse that Chavez had slain. The other animals had been turned loose and were nowhere to be seen. The stage stood vacant and deserted. Not a soul was to be seen in any direction. Nick paused only briefly. The way the desperadoes had taken was plain. There was but one way out through the mountainous defile. Convinced that Hillary Dare must have discovered the crime, and was then in advance of him Nick quietly gave his reeking animal the word, and grimly resumed the pursuit. Though bold in the superlative degree Manuel Chavez was not a careless desperado. Chick’s escape which had been accomplished so suddenly and boldly that It could not be prevented gave a more dangerous aspect to the situation. Chavez had believed that the news of the outrage could not reach the settlement before nightfall. In that case the trail could not I have been taken up and followed until daylight next morning. By dark he and his party easily could reach the house of Jose Levira, whore they had planned to rest their horses until the moan rose. Then by flight through the Pekae Pass the morning of the anticipated pursuit should have seen them well i away in the direction of Southern California and safe enough from immediate capture. But Nick Carter had quickly foreseen all this, and was up In arms to prevent It. * CHAPTER XXIII. FACE TO FACE. The house of Joso Lovira was a primitive structure with only a loft ; above the several rooms occupying ' the ground floor. I Some fifty yards to the east was a | stockade or staked enclosure called ] a corral having a shed for housing horses, and broad gateways at oiposite sides. It was to this retreat nearly sixteen miles from the scene of the hold-up that Chavez first turned in flight. Night had fallen by more than an hour but the stars wore shining bright from a cloudless sky. j Through the semi-darkness the ; broad sweep of an open plain to the east, the rising of the western hills, and the silent woodlands of the majestic mountains could be dimly discerned. i The silence of the impressive solitude was broken only by the occasional whinny of a restless horse or the far-away cry of some nightprowling jackal. The fouv men who were guilty ol the foul crime described were at , that time seated in the smaiy aag.

ue*xinTOu siccnen ax xne rear 01 ww

hous». The adfiiUF frle<J bacoo and some Wittered crusts of bread upon a sideboard, indicated that a frugal meal had been disposed of a brief time before. By the feeble bracket lamp on the wail of nn adjoining room was visible the figure of a womans whom the miscreants had forced to travel with them from the scene of their crime. With head bowed she was seated near a low deal table void of cloth, yet on which a tin plate of food still remained untested. That the men were wearied by their day’s work disappointed by the results and in a bad temper was evinced by their several faces. Chavez wore a heavy scowl, and Levira was sullen. The heavy features of Gilbert Elkins wore a picture of such vicious desperation as is born only of some terrible mingling of hatred, vengefulness and bitterest despair. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice thick and unsteady, his cheeks and brow turned scarlet by frequent drinks. He was in the worst possible state to which an evil man can come—that of instinctively feeling himself near the end of his rope. Such conditions make them thrice reckless, dangerous and evil. The face of one alone, the craven countenance of Jordan Higgs indicated that his brain was clear and active, and his treacherous eyes ware bright with some secret purpose yet to be performed. “ How soon shall we leave here, Chavez ? ” he asked looking up at the silent Mexican opposite. “ When the moon rises,” replied Chavez in his cool manner. ” When will that be ? ‘‘Not for an hour or more.” ‘‘ Can I snatch a wink of sleep,” whined the wretch. ”My head is splitting. " Carramba ! thank your lucky stars that it is not already split with a bullet.” ‘‘There’s a bunk in yonder,” growled Levira, with a nod in the direction of the side room. ” Turn in there for an hour if you like.” The miscreant availed himself of the offer. With his knees knocking beneath him Riggs entered the rolom and shut the door. Once there out of observation, be resorted, not to the bunk but to the window. Softly opening it ho sprang to the ground outside. Stealing cautiously through -the solitude moving as stealthily as a snake to which ho had been likened, with an occasional backward glance at the dim outlines of the habitation ho was leaving, this craven participant in the tragedy of that day began to'.break faith with his confederates. It was like Jordan Rlgge. The crime committed was immeasurably greater than the man, and its magnitude appalled him. It threw up before him vivid and soul-sickening pictures of the law’s awful )power and relentless punishment. It made the coward a snake indeed, a reptile odious beyond comparison. It Inspired him to seek safety at whatever expense ; and while there was yet time to throw himself upon the mercy of the law he feared, ho aimed to get exemption by confession and betrayal. Trembling from head to foot with his blood cold and his craven heart sick with terror, he crossed the strip of land between the house and the corral, entered the broad open gateway secured a horse ready saddled from the shed near by,, and fled alone through the gloom and solitude of the silent night. With the departure of Riggs, Devira rose to clear the table. The Mexican pushed back his chair colly tipped it against the wall behind him and prepared to roll a cigarette. Elkina raised his heavy eyes and glanced at him, then at the bowed figure of the woman in the adjoining room. Though vengeance was sweet there was in that motionless figure something' which awed and cowed him. Ho could not bring himself to thp task which he knew was before him, that of confronting her for the last time. With a half-smothered oath he growled thiskly : ‘‘ This place is like an oven ! I must have air ! One breath of air!” ” Carramba I there is air enough , outside senor/’ muttered Chavez with icy humour. Elkins ignored it. Ho rose unsteadily, staggered to the door and went out into the starry night. The cool dampness of the air gave him fresh life. He walked round the building, and purely by chance, he presently behold the open window by which Jordan Riggs had effected his departure—his desertion. For a moment Elkins was in doubt ; then he went and peered ill f through the window. [ The room was vacant, j Though ho now guessed the truth, he did not dare impart it to his confederates. The treachery of his own hireling would almost warrant his death. He dkl not dare make it known to Manuel Chavez. ! With an oath trembling on his lips he started for the corral knowing that Riggs would require a horse fpr his craven flight. There might fSi, be time to overtake him. He listened for the fall of hoofs as ho approached but none eame. Yet, as he neared the open gate of the corral a figure suddenly rose up out of the darkness, and ho thought that ha bad found his man. j ‘‘You infernal cur ! ” h? fiercely cried, striding nearer. ‘‘Why have you left the house like this and ” “ Elkins ! Good Heavens ! ” i The interruption fell upon the night air in tones that were hoarse and strained by their frightful intensity.

uarK figure bounded forv ard with a face as white as marble it the starlight, with eyes that burnec with a fire of their own, and thi whilom broker of Wall-street felt the chilly circle, of a revoherV. mouth pressed hard against his face. ‘‘ Not a cry ! By heavens. If you utter a cry I'll shoot you dead ! ” Though 1 the voice was hard, though he felt the hand that gripped him by the throat, there was more of amazement than terror in the miscreant’s first, impression. (To be Continued.) 870.