But I think your
acquaintance with American men is, after all, very inconsiderable." And
with a stiff inclination he left the room.

She ran after him impulsively but at the threshold of the door she
paused. Then she swiftly returned and gently pushed Red down into the
seat from which he had arisen. "Wait--a single little moment, Senor, I
beg of you. I will return immediately." She ran into the bedroom and he
heard a swift rustling. In ten minutes she returned, bearing in her
hands a packet of letters. She had in some marvelous way succeeded in
rerobing herself and was now arrayed in an exquisite tea gown which made
Red's eyes light up with admiration. Inwardly exulting at the success of
her experiment, she sat down close beside him on the divan and rapidly
opened the letters.

At her insistence he took them, though very reluctantly, and
perfunctorily scanned their contents. Then he reread them with
deliberate care, hesitated for a moment and then thrust them in his
breast pocket.

"I reckon I'll keep these for a few days at least; they may come in
handy."

"It is your right, Senor McVey. And now there is more that you must
know. They have sworn the death of yourself and friend: his because he
stands between them and their thefts and has brought to black shame the
man Matlock; yours because you did slay the jackal of my husband. Do you
know that in the hands of the sheriff there is a warrant for the arrest
of you both, sworn out by my husband, charging you with murder, and the
Senor Douglass with being accessory thereto? It is the plan to have you
in the weak jail confined--one single night will serve their
purpose--and when your friends come the next morning it will be too
late. The sheriff is a weakling, as you know--worse, he is as wax in the
hands of Bartholomew, who did win from him at cards much treasure that
is to the county belonging, though why that should be cause to make him
lick my husband's hand I can not understand. Maybe you, a man, do know?
And while two unarmed men are striving with those who will do my
husband's bidding--even now has he gone to summons them, your coming
being known to him through a spy who rode faster than you--yet others
will be sent to your rancho to burn and destroy."

McVey stifled a great oath. "You are givin' me straight dope?" His
strong hand was crushing her soft arm.

"As Heaven is my witness, Senor. I swear it by the memory of my dead!"

"Do you know when thu warrant