a stiff horse arrived at Athens. Mrs. Van
Zandt saw them because she was up attending to Adams who was suffering.
She hailed the Chinaman from her doorway, bathrobed and boudoir capped as
she was.

"Is that you, Marc Scott?" she called anxiously, as she recognized
Cochise.

"No, lady," replied Li, in his professional manner. "This not Mr. Scott,
this Li Yow from Casa Grande. I come see sick boy," and he rolled off the
horse.

"Well, that's good, he needs you! Leave the horse and come in." Li
complied and Cochise, released, started wearily for the corral. "See
here," Mrs. Van Zandt led the way to the bedroom, "I guess you're pretty
well used up, ain't you? I'm going to get you something to eat in a
minute. Did you have a hard ride?" She had got a light and looked at him
curiously. Li Yow did look very much used up.

"I hurry a great lot," he said, simply. "I want go back but the horse he
want come on."

"What did you want to go back for?"

"Fire. I see big fire at Casa Grande," replied the Chinaman, gravely. "I
much afraid the bandits burn the house."

Mrs. Van Zandt pulled him suddenly from the bedroom door.

"Good land, man, don't let the boy hear you! He's half out of his head
now. What do you mean? Has Casa Grande been raided?"

Li nodded.

"By Pachuca?"

"Yes. He come morning, take everything--horses, chow, money, everything!
Then Mr. Scott's folks they come in afternoon. Only thlee horse for
everybody. Mr. Scott say he mend wagon and they come over to-morrow. I
come to-night to see sick boy. When I get up on mesa I see fire--don't
know who make him but mebbe bandits."

Mrs. Van Zandt turned pale. Clutching her bathrobe tightly she made for
the door. "Look here," she called, over her shoulder, "you look after the
boy and mind you don't spill any of that news before him. I'll get you
some breakfast and see what's to be done."

Then she came back. "They were all right when you left them? The young
lady, too?" she queried, anxiously.

"Yes, they all light. Both them ladies all light."

"Both! Who's the other?" demanded Mrs. Van Zandt, instantly.

"Mr. Hellick got flend--Mrs. Conlad," said Li, wearily. "She come day
before yest'day--from Mexico City. Mr. Hard's flend, too."

"Good Heavens, now what do you suppose the heathen means by that?" gasped
the astonished woman. "Come here," she added, sternly, and seizing the
Chinaman by the sleeve of his blouse, she led him into the room occupied
by Poll