ive him satisfaction. Until he had done one or the
other Manuel could not live at peace with himself. He had put a powerful
curb upon his desire to wait as long as he had. Circumstances had for a
time taken the matter out of his hands, but the time had come when he
meant to press his claims. The American might refuse the duel; he could
not refrain from defending himself when Pesquiera attacked.

A step sounded in the doorway, and almost simultaneously a voice.

"_Dona,_ are you here?"

The room was lighted only by the flickering fire; but Valencia, her eyes
accustomed to the darkness, recognized the boy as Juan Gardiez.

"Yes, I am here, Juan. What have you to tell me?" she said quickly.

"I do not know, _senorita_. But the men--Pablo, Sebastian; all of
them--are gone."

"Gone where?" she breathed.

"I do not know. To-day I drove a cow and calf to Willow Springs. I am
but returned. The houses are empty. Senor Barela's wife says she saw men
riding up the hill toward Corbett's--eight, nine, ten of them."

"To Corbett's?" She stared whitely at him without moving. "How long
ago?"

"An hour ago--or more."

"Saddle Billy at once and bring him round," the girl ordered crisply.

She turned as she spoke and went lightly to the telephone. With the need
of action, of decision, her hopelessness was gone. There was a hard,
bright light in her eyes that told of a resolution inflexible as
tempered steel when once aroused.

"Give me Corbett's--at once, please. Hallo, Central--Corbett's----"

No answer came, though she called again and again.

"There must be something wrong with the telephone," suggested Don
Manuel.

She dropped the receiver and turned quietly to him.

"The wires have been cut."

"But, why? What is it all about?"

"Merely that my men are anticipating you. They have gone to murder the
American. Deputy sheriffs from Santa Fe to-day came here to arrest Pablo
and Sebastian. The men suspected and were hidden. Now they have gone to
punish Mr. Gordon for sending the officers."

She could not have touched him more nearly. He came to her with burning
eyes.

"How do you know? What makes you think so?"

She told him, briefly and simply, giving more detailed reasons.

Without a word, he turned and left her. She could hear him rushing
through the hall, traced his progress by the slamming of the door, and
presently caught sight of him running toward the corral. He did not
hear, or heed, her call for him to