not of his neckscarf loose,
While some one sang to the silver strings,
in the moonlight patio."

It was the song of "The Outlaw." Pete turned slowly and faced the
patio. Manuelo swept the strings in a melodious interlude. Boca, her
vivid lips parted, smiled at Pete even as she began to sing again.
Pete could almost feel the presence of men behind him. He knew that he
was trapped, but he kept his gaze fixed on Boca's face. The Spider
spoke to some one--a word of surprised greeting. In spite of his hold
on himself Pete felt the sweat start on his lip and forehead. He was
curious as to what these men would look like; as to whether he would
know them. Perhaps they were not after him, but after some of the men
in the patio--

"Annersley!"

Pete swung round, his hands up. He recognized two of the men--deputies
of Sheriff Sutton of Concho. The third man was unknown to him.

"You're under arrest for the killing of Steve Gary."

"How's that?" queried The Spider.

"Steve Gary. This kid shot him--over to the Blue. We don't want any
trouble about this," continued the deputy. "We've got a couple of men
out back--"

"There won't be any trouble," said The Spider.

"No--there won't be any trouble," asserted Pete. "Gimme a drink,
Spider."

"No, you don't!" said the deputy. "You got too many friends out
there," and he gestured toward the patio with his gun.

"Not my friends," said Pete.

Boca's song ended abruptly as she turned from her audience to glance in
Pete's direction. She saw him standing with upraised hands--and in
front of him three men--strangers to Showdown.

Came the shuffling of feet as the men in the patio turned to see what
she was staring at.

"Sit still!" called The Spider. "This ain't your deal, boys. They got
the man they want."

But Boca, wide-eyed and trembling, stepped through the doorway.

"That's close enough!" called a deputy.

She paused, summoning all of her courage and wit to force a laugh.
"Si, senor. But you are mistaken. It is not that I care what you do
with _him_. I do but come for the wine for which I have asked, but
there was no one to bring it to me,"--and she stepped past the end of
the bar into The Spider's room. She reappeared almost instantly with a
bottle of wine.

"I will open that for you," said The Spider.

"Never mind!" said one of the deputies; "the lady seems to know how."

Boca took a glass from the counter. "I will drink in the pati