uggestion in the irregularity
of the hoof-beats as of an exhausted, failing beast urged on by grim
and vital need.

The young engineer leaped to his feet as the clatter ceased in a harsh
scraping thud, and with Gentleman Geoff beside him, he crossed the
patio and re-entered the gambling-room. The voices had hushed as if by
magic, and every motionless figure was turned toward the entrance door.

It was flung open and a man staggered blindly over the sill, reeling
and clutching at his breast with both gnarled, sinewy hands.

"El Negrito!" his voice rose in a smothered sob. "He's hit the trail
and coming fast. Look out for your----"

The stranger choked, caught at his throat and crumpled slowly to the
floor, a thin scarlet stream pouring from his lips. The silence held
for one tense moment and then pandemonium broke loose.

"A raid! A raid!"

Hoarse cries filled the room and a mad stampede ensued, but somehow
through the rampant throng, Kearn Thode found himself before that
fallen figure. Gentleman Geoff was still at his side, but another had
been quicker than they. Soft hands raised the dying man's head and
Billie knelt beside him, her pallor intensified but her eyes steady and
calm.

"Sam! can you speak to me? Where are the babies, and Mamie?"

"Gone!" The breath whistled through the tortured lips.
"Macheted--thank God, I saw them die. Tell Geoff--save you----"

The whisper died in a rattle and the head slumped inert against her
knee.

"It's over, Billie. Get on down to the cellar, quick----" Gentleman
Geoff's tones rang with command, but the girl shook her head.

"Where the liquor is stored?" she smiled. "Alvarez's men won't leave a
cask unturned. No, Dad, I'd rather take a chance with you, here. If
it comes to a showdown, they won't get me."

She made a significant gesture, and the lethargy of consternation fell
from Thode as he saw for the second time that day the glint of her
revolver.

"Good God!" he exclaimed. "Isn't there something to be done? We're
only a handful! Are we going to wait here for that black devil to come
and slaughter us?"

"No, Son," Gentleman Geoff drawled. "We're going to put up the
stiffest fight we know how, but there's no help nearer than the
barracks at the oil refinery ten miles north, and El Negrito is on the
way."

As if in corroboration of his words a new sound broke all at once upon
their ears, distant at first but drawing rapidly close, a fusillade