teach her."

Two men ran from between the huts and Cateras flung her, helpless from
her choking, into their grasp.

"Take her within--no, there; the second door, you fools."

Breathless from effort, a mere child in their grip, Miss Donovan
struggled vainly. They forced her through the door, and Cateras, still
cursing furiously followed, the whip in his hands.

CHAPTER XIX: WESTCOTT FINDS HIMSELF ALONE

It never occurred to Westcott on his escape through the darkness that
his night's adventure would in any way endanger Miss Donovan. He was
on the property of La Rosita Mining Company upon his own account, and
not in reference to the Cavendish Case at all--or, at least, this last
was merely incidental.

To be sure he had listened to a confession from Enright bearing
directly upon the affair in New York, a confession so strange he could
scarcely grasp its true meaning. But this never brought to his mind
the thought that suspicion already rested upon the girl's presence in
Haskell. His whole interest centred for the moment on Lacy's daring
attempt to break through the wall of rock below and lay claim to his
lead of ore. Not until this effort had been abandoned would he dare to
desert his mine--and even then safety could be assured only by the
establishment of an armed guard in the tunnel prepared to repel any
invasion.

While undoubtedly the mining law of the State would eventually sustain
his claim, yet the fact that he had for so long kept his discovery
secret would seriously operate against him; while, if Lacy's gang once
acquired actual possession of the property, the only way of proving
prior ownership would be through an official survey and long protracted
proceedings in court.

Here he would be at great disadvantage because of lack of money and
influence. In this respect Westcott realised, fully what he was up
against, for while it was quietly known that Lacy was a questionable
character, his name associated with the leadership of a desperate gang,
yet his wealth and power rendered him a decidedly dangerous opponent.
As proprietor of the biggest saloon, dance-hall, and gambling den in
Haskell, he wielded an influence not to be ignored--especially as the
sheriff of the county was directly indebted to him for his office. A
dangerous man himself, with the reputation of a killer, he had about
him others capable of any crime to carry out his orders, confident that
his wealth and influence would assu