Pete raised on his elbow, his dark eyes wide. "Spider!" he exclaimed.

The internes felt The Spider's slackened muscles grow tense as he
endeavored to get closer to the cot. They helped him a step forward.
He pulled his arm free and thrust out his hand. Pete's hand closed on
those limp, clammy fingers.

"I come ahead of time, pardner. Come to see how--you was--gettin'
along." The Spider's arm dropped to his side.

"Take him to the other bed there," said the doctor.

The Spider shook his head. "Just a minute." He nodded toward Pete.
"I want you to do something for me. Go see that party--in letter--fix
you up--he's played square with me--same as you done."

"But who was it--" began Pete.

"Old bunch. Trailed me--too close. Got 'em--every dam' one. A mas
ver. Tengo que marcharme, compadre." And then, "Close the cases,"
said The Spider.

The internes helped him to the cot on which Doris had rested as she
watched Pete through those dark hours, refusing to leave him till she
knew the great danger had passed.

Pete lay back staring at the ceiling. He was, stunned by this sudden
calamity. And all at once he realized that it must have been The
Spider who had called to see him several times. Doris had hinted to
Pete that some friend asked after him daily. So The Spider had come to
El Paso to find out if the money had been delivered--risking his life
for the sake of a few thousand dollars! Pete turned and glanced at the
other cot. The doctor was bending over The Spider, who mumbled
incoherently. Presently brisk footsteps sounded in the hallway, and
two men entered the room and stepped to where The Spider lay. They
spoke in low tones to the doctor, who moved back. One of the men--a
heavy-shouldered, red-faced man, whom Pete recognized--asked The Spider
who had shot him, and if he had been in Pony Baxter's place that night.
The Spider's lips moved. The other leaned closer. Dimly The Spider
realized that this was the Law that questioned him. Even at the last
moment his old enemy had come to hunt him out. The Spider's beady
black eyes suddenly brightened. With a last vicious effort he raised
his head and spat in the officer's face.

The doctor stepped quickly forward. The Spider lay staring at the
ceiling, his sightless eyes dulled by the black shadow of eternal night.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

GETTING ACQUAINTED

It was Pony Baxter who gave the names of the dead gunmen to the police,
confirm