A VERIFIED PROPHECY OF SENORITA BILLIE
That smile was yet with him when he saw the herd and the vaqueros
coming up from the water tanks, and noted Conrad and Tomas Herrara
talking together beside Conrad's automobile.
The beat of the many hoofs prevented the two men from noting one horse
near them, and words of Conrad came to him clearly.
"It has to be that way. You to go instead of Miguel. You have enough
English, you can do it."
Tomas Herrara muttered something, evidently reluctance, for again
Conrad's words were heard.
"But think of the _dinero_, much of money to you! And that fool swine
will not see what is under his nose. You can do it, sure you can!
There is no danger. The blame will be to him if it is found; my agent
will see to that. Not you but the gringo will be the one to answer the
law. You will know nothing."
He spoke in Spanish rapidly, while both men watched the approaching
vaqueros.
The smile had gone from Kit's face, and he was puzzled to follow the
words, or even trust his own ears.
"_Bueno_," said Herrara with a nod of consent. "Since Miguel is
hurt----"
"Whoa, Pardner," sang out Rhodes, back of them as he slid out of the
saddle. "Good morning, gentlemen. Do you say Miguel is hurt, Herrara?
How comes that?"
The face of Herrara went a curious gray, and his lips blue and
apparently stiff for he only murmured, "_Buenas dias_, senor," and
gulped and stared at Conrad. But the surprise of Conrad, while
apparent, was easily accounted for, and he was too well poised to be
startled unduly by any emergency.
"Hah! Is it you, Rhodes, so early? Yes, Miguel is reported hurt over
Poso Verde way. Not serious, but for the fact that he was the one to
go with you on the horse shipment, and now another must go. Perhaps
his brother here."
"Oh--ah--yes," assented Rhodes thoughtfully. He was not so old as
Conrad, and quite aware he was not so clever, and he didn't know their
game, so he strove as he could to hold the meaning of what he had
heard, and ended rather lamely: "Well, too bad about Miguel, but if
you, Tomas, are going instead, you had better get your war togs ready.
We start tonight from the Junction, and have three hours to get
ready."
"Three hours only!" again Herrara seemed to weaken. To start in three
hours a journey into the unknown far East of the Americano was beyond
his imaginings. He shrugged his shoulders, tossed his hands outwards
in despair, and turned toward the barns.
Conrad looked after him in irritation, and then smiled at Rhodes. He
had a rather ingratiating smile, and it the first time he had betrayed
it to Kit.
"These explosive Latins," he said derisively. "I think I can make him
reasonable, and you go forward with your own preparations."
He followed Herrara, leaving Kit staring after them wondering. His
glance then rested on the automobile, and he noted that it had not
merely come out of the garage for the usual work of the day. It had
been traveling somewhere, for the wheels were crusted with mud--mud
not there at sunset yesterday. And in that section of Pima there was
no water to make mud nearer than Poso Verde, and it was over there
Miguel Herrara had been hurt!
He had only three hours, and no time to investigate. There were rumors
of smuggling all along the line over there, and strange conferences
between Mexican statesmen and sellers of Connecticut hardware of an
explosive nature. He recalled having heard that Singleton was from
Connecticut, or was it Massachusetts? Anyway, it was over there at the
eastern edge of the country somewhere, and it was also where plots and
counter plots were pretty thick concerning ammunition; also they were
more complicated on the Mexican border. He wondered if Singleton was
as simple as he looked, for he certainly was paying wages to a mixed
lot. Also it was a cinch to run any desirable contraband from Granados
across to La Partida and from there hellwards.
He wondered if Singleton knew? But Singleton had a capable business
manager, while he, Rhodes, was only a range boss with the understanding
that he adjust himself to any work a white man might qualify for.
The mere fact that once he had sat at the family table might not, in
Singleton's eyes, warrant him in criticizing an approved manager, or
directing suspicion towards him. He might speak to Pike, but he
realized that Pike was not taken very seriously; only welcomed because
Billie liked him, and because an American ranch usually had the open
door for the old timers of his caliber.
Also Pike had told him plainly that he must not be expected to mix up
in the Mexican game for any reason whatsoever.
"I reckon it's up to us, Pardner," he decided, as he called directions
to the different men loading the wagons with oats and barley for the
stock on the trail. There were three mule teams ready for the railroad
junction where the cars were waiting on the siding, or would be by
night.
Some of the men were getting the mules straightened out in the harness
while others were roping horses in the corral. It would take most of
the home outfit to lead and drive them to the railroad, which meant
one lonely and brief period of hilarity at the only joint where
"bootleg" whiskey could be secured by the knowing, and a "movie"
theater could add to other simple entertainments for the gentle Juans
of the ranges. Neither Conrad nor Herrara were visible, and he
presumed the latter was making arrangements for the sudden and
unexpected departure from his family, but he knew he had not attempted
to ride home for a farewell greeting, because his horse still stood
near Conrad's automobile where he had first overheard that curious
conversation between the two men.
After a leisurely breakfast Pike was meandering towards the stock
yard on his mule with the intent to trail along to the Junction with
the boys. Rhodes, catching sight of him, looked hopefully but
unsuccessfully for Singleton. The minutes were slipping by, and no
definite instructions had been given him concerning the three car
loads of horses. Did Conrad mean to leave every detail until the last
moment and make difficulties for the new man? Was that the way he got
rid of the Americans he didn't want? He recalled the prophecy of
Billie that he would not hold his job. Well, he would show her!
With memories of the white and gold vision of the previous night, and
the guitar in the _sala_, and the moonlight touching all to
enchantment, he had fully decided that he would not only hold the job,
but on some future day he would be business manager. And he'd find
that lost mine or know the reason why, and he would----
For after all Kit Rhodes was only twenty-three and all of life ahead
of him for dreams! He was wondering what he could fetch back from the
East that would be acceptable to a witchy elf of a butterfly girl who
already had, to his simple estimate, all the requisites of a princess
royal.
Juanito came loping past, and Rhodes asked for his father.
"I am myself looking for him," said the boy. "He has there on his
horse all the things for Tio Miguel, but Miguel not coming, and I
wonder who goes? Maybe it will be me. What you think?" he asked
hopefully.
Kit did not answer, for Juanito's mention of the articles for Miguel
brought from home by Tomas, and still fastened to the back of the
saddle, drew his attention to the articles tied there--some clothing
badly wrapped, a pair of black shoes tied together with brown strings,
and under them, yet plainly visible, a canvas water bag.
There was nothing unusual in a water bag or a canteen tied back of any
saddle in the dry lands, it was the sensible thing to do, but Kit
found himself staring at this particular water bag stupidly,
remembering where he had seen it last. It had been only partly full
then, but now it was plump and round as if water-filled; yet one
glance told him it was not wet, and moreover, he had noted the day
before a hole in the side tied up in a hard knot by twine, and there
was the knot!
Yet it might be a stock of _pinole_, parched corn, as evidence of
Miguel's forethought against privation on the long eastern trail. He
could think of several reasonable things to account for an old water
bag tied to a Mexican's saddle, but reason did not prevent his glance
turning to it again and again.
The fear in Narcisco's eyes came back to him, and his attempt to cover
his harmless playthings at the coming of the unexpected American. He
wondered----
"Say, Bub, I've got ten dollars to invest in some little trinket for
Billie boy, and I want you to put it down in your jeans and invest it
in whatever it will cover," said Captain Pike at his elbow, clinking
the silver coin meditatively. "You'll have time to see plenty
attractive things for the money there in the streets of New York, or
Baltimore, or whichever of the dock towns you'll be heading for."
Rhodes accepted the coin, absently frowning.
"That's one of the dark secrets not yet divulged by this curious
management," he growled. "I'm to go, or so I was told, but have been
given no instructions. Where's Singleton?"
"Just rounded up for breakfast."
"Is he coming down here to the corrals?"
"Not that I could notice. Pedro got in from the Junction with last
Sunday's papers, and he and Billie have the picture sheets spread
around, having a weekly feast."
Kit strode over to his mount, and then halted, glancing towards the
house a half mile away, and then at the telephone poles along the wide
lane.
"Say, there's a telephone somewhere down here at the works, connecting
with the hacienda, isn't there?"
"Sure, in that hallway between the two adobes where the bunk house
ends and offices begin."
Kit started briskly towards the long bunk house, and then turned to
Pike.
"Do me a favor, Captain. Stay right there till I get back, and don't
let anyone take that Herrara horse away, or his load!"
"All right, but load!--why, the spotted rat hasn't got a load for a
jack rabbit, load!" and Pike sniffed disdain at the little knobs of
baggage dangling from the rawhide strings. He didn't think the subdued
animal needed watching--still, if Kit said so----
At the same time Kit was calling the house, and hearing in reply a
soft whistle of the meadow lark, and then a girl's laugh.
"Your music is good to listen to, Lark-child," he called back, "and
your ears are perfectly good at telling who's who, but this is a
strictly business day, and it is Mr. Singleton I need to speak with."
"Still holding your job, or asking for your time?" came the mocking
voice.
"You bet I'm holding my job, also I am on it, and want the boss."
"Well, sometimes you know the boys call me the boss. What can we do
for you, Mr. Kit Rhodes?"
"I'll use all three of my Spanish cuss words in a minute, if you don't
be reasonable," he thundered.
"Is that a bribe?" came sweetly over the wire, and when he muttered
something impatiently, she laughed and told him it was not fair to use
another language when he had promised Spanish.
"Listen to me, young lady, if I can't get Singleton on the wire I'll
get on a horse and go up there!"
"And you listen to me, young man, it wouldn't do you a bit of good,
for just now he is nearly having a fit, and writing telegrams about
something more important than the horse corrals."
"There is nothing more important this day and date," insisted Kit.
"Well, if you were as strictly a white dove advocate as Papa Singleton
is, and as neutral, and then saw a full page Sunday supplement of your
pet picture fraulein, working for your pet charity and sifting poison
into hospital bandages and powdered glass in jellies for the soldiers
of the Allies, I reckon you would change your mind."
"Powdered glass!--in _feed_!" repeated Kit, stunned at the words and
the sudden thought they suggested. "Great God, girl, you don't have
to go to the eastern papers for _that_! You've got the same trick
right here in Granados this minute! Why--damn you!"
The receiver fell from his hand as a crushing blow was dealt him from
the door at his back. He heard a girl's scream in the distance as he
grappled with Conrad and saved himself a second blow from the
automobile wrench in the manager's hands. It fell to the tiles between
them, and Rhodes kicked it to one side as he struck and struck again
the white, furious face of Conrad.
"The wrench! Tomas, the wrench! Give it to him! The Americano would
murder me!" shouted Conrad.
Tomas had other things to think of. He had heard as much as Conrad of
the telephone discourse, and was aware of his pinto standing placidly
not fifty feet away, with all the damning evidence in the case tied to
the back of the saddle!
Juanito, however, ran like a cat at his master's call and caught up
the wrench, but halted when Pike closed on his shoulder and pressed a
cold little circle of blue steel against his ribs.
"Not this time, _muchacho_!" he shrilled, "drop it! This is a man's
game, and you're out."
The men came running, and others attempted to interfere, but the
little old man waved the gun at them and ordered them to keep their
distance.
"No crowding the mourners!" he admonished them gleefully. "I've a
hunch your man started it, and my man will finish it. I don't know
what it's about, Kit, but give him hell on suspicion! Go to it,
boy,--do it again! Who-ee!--that was a sock-dolager! Keep him off
you, Kit, he's a gouger, and has the weight. Give it to him standing,
and give it to him good! That's it! Ki-yi! Hell's bells and them
a-chiming!"
For the finale of that whirl of the two striking, staggering, cursing
men, was unexpectedly dramatic. They had surged out into the open, but
Conrad, little by little and step by step, or rather stagger by
stagger, had given way before the mallet-like precision of the younger
man's fists until Kit's final blow seemed actually to lift him off his
feet and land him--standing--against the adobe wall. An instant he
quivered there, and then fell forward, glassy eyed and limp.
Singleton's car came whirling down the lane. Billie leaped from it
before it stopped, and ran in horror to the prone figure. One of the
older Mexicans tried to ward her off from the sight.
"No good, senorita, it is the death of him," he said gently. "One
stroke like that on the heart and it is--_adios_!"
"What in the name of God--" began Singleton, and Kit wiped the blood
from his eyes and faced him, staggering and breathless.
"Get him water! Get busy!" he ordered. "I don't think he's done for,
not unless he has some mighty weak spot he should have had labelled
before he waded into this."
The blood was still trickling from the cut in his head made by the
wrench, and he presented an unholy appearance as they stared at him.
"I'll explain, Singleton, for I reckon you are white. I'll--after
while----"
"You'll explain nothing to me!" retorted Singleton "If the man dies
you'll explain to a jury and a judge; otherwise you'd better take
yourself out of this country."
Kit blinked at those who were lifting Conrad and listening to his
heart, which evidently had not stopped permanently.
"But give me a chance, man!" persisted Rhodes. "I need some mending
done on this head of mine,--then I'll clear it up. Why, the evidence
is right here--powdered glass for the stock at the far end of the
trail--Herrara knows--Conrad's game--and----"
He did not know why words were difficult and the faces moved in
circles about him. The blood soaking his shirt and blouse, and
dripping off his sleeve was cause enough, but he did not even know
that.
"Take him away, Captain Pike," said Singleton coldly. "He is not
wanted any longer on either of the ranches. It's the last man I hire,
Conrad can do it in future."
"Conrad, eh?" grunted Kit weakly, "you're a nice easy mark for the
frankfurter game,--you and your pacifist bunch of near-traitors! Why
man----"
But Singleton waved him away, and followed the men who were carrying
Conrad to the bunk house.
"All right, _all_ right! But take care you don't meet with a nastier
accident than that before you are done with this game!" he said
shaking his fist warningly after Singleton, and then he staggered to
his horse where Pike was waiting for him.
He got in the saddle, and reeled there a moment, conscious of hostile,
watchful eyes,--and one girl's face all alone in the blur.
"Say," he said, "I heard you scream. You thought it was you I swore
at. You're wrong there. But you are some little prophetess,--_you_
are! The job's gone, and Herrara's got away with the evidence, and the
jig's up! But it wasn't you I cussed at--not--at--all! Come on, Pike.
This new ventilator in my head is playing hell its own way. Come
on--let's go by-bye!"