ld
see no way of safety opening to them. Suspicious by nature, Sebastian
judged the American by himself. If their positions were reversed, he
knew he would break any pledge he might make and go straight to the
sheriff with his story. Therefore they could not with safety release the
man. To kill him would be dangerous. To keep him prisoner was possible
only for a limited time. Whatever course they followed seemed precarious
and uncertain. Temperamentally he was inclined to put an end to the man
and try a bolt for the hills, but he found in Pablo an unexpected
difficulty. The young man would not hear of this. He had made up his
mind riot to let Gordon be killed if he could prevent it, though he did
not tell the American so.

Menendez made another trip after supplies next day, but he came back
hurriedly without them. Pesquiera's poster offering a reward of one
hundred dollars for the capture of him or Sebastian had brought him up
short and sent him scurrying back to his hole.

Gordon used the poster for a text. His heart was jubilant within him,
for he knew now that Valencia was not back of this attack upon him.

"All up with you now," he assured them in a genial, offhand fashion.
"Miss Valdes must be backing Pesquiera. They know you two are the guilty
villains. Inside of twelve hours they'll have you both hogtied."

Clearly the conspirators were of that opinion themselves. They talked
together a good deal in whispers. Dick was of the opinion that a
proposition would be made him before morning, though it was just
possible that the scale might tip the other way and his death be voted.
He spent a very anxious hour.

After dark Sebastian, who was less well known in the town than Pablo,
departed on an errand unknown to Gordon. The miner guessed that he was
going to make arrangements for horses upon which to escape. Dick was not
told their decision. Menendez had fallen sulky again and refused to
talk.

CHAPTER XVIII

MANUEL INTERFERES

Valencia had scarcely left the parlor to telephone for the sheriff
before Manuel flashed a knife and cut the rope that tied his prisoner's
hands.

Sebastian had shrunk back at sight of the knife, but when he found that
he was free he stared at Pesquiera in startled amazement.

"Come! Let's get out of here. We can talk when you are free of danger,"
said Manuel with sharp authority in his voice.

He led the way into the corridor, walked quickly down one passage and
along anot