ellow capable of any crime. At this moment Ed bitterly
regretted his acquaintance with these neighbors, for both men knew more
about his affairs than he cared to have made public. He was angry and
resentful at Tad for taking sides against him, and more than a little
fearful of Adolfo's enmity if he refused assistance. The owner of Las
Palmas still retained a shred of self-respect, a remnant of pride in
his name; he did not consider himself a bad man. He was determined now
to escape from this situation without loss of credit, no matter what
the price--if escape were possible--and he vowed earnestly to himself
that hereafter he would take ample pains never to become similarly
involved.

Austin remained out of the room for some time; when he returned his
visitors appeared to have reached some determination.

"I reckon we can fix things if you'll help," Lewis announced.

"And that's just what I won't do," Ed impatiently declared. "Do you
think I'm going to be tangled up in a--murder? I've got nothing against
Don Ricardo."

"Who said anything about murder? Things ain't like they was when your
father owned Las Palmas; he done his share of killin', but nowadays
there's too dam' much law layin' around loose. All you've got to do is
give me about a thousand dollars."

"What for?" Ed asked, suspiciously.

"So's we can handle ourselves. It's up to you to do something, ain't
it?"

Austin demurred. "I haven't that much that I can lay hands on," he
said, sullenly. "I'm broke. And, anyhow, I don't see what good it'll
do."

"You better dig it up, somehow, just for your own sake."

The two men eyed each other for a moment; then Austin mumbled something
about his willingness to try, and left the room for a second time. The
money which Alaire kept on hand for current expenses was locked in her
safe, but he knew the combination.

It was with an air of resignation, with a childish, half-hearted
protest, that he counted out the desired amount into Lewis's hand,
salving his conscience with the statement: "I'm doing this to help
Adolfo out of his trouble, understand? I hope it'll enable you to
square things."

"Maybe it will and maybe it won't," sneered Lewis. "Anyhow, I ain't
scared of tryin'. I got the guts to make a battle, even if you haven't."

Ed Austin was greatly relieved when his unwelcome callers rode away; as
he composed himself for sleep, an hour later, he refrained from
analyzing too deeply the motives behind this