glances about him. Then he swiftly crossed the
street, hurried along the sidewalk to Pat, and
reached the horse's head and bridle. Untying
the reins from the post, he leaped into the saddle.
Then he swung Pat around, put light spurs to
him, and urged him rapidly across the avenue.
Beyond the avenue toward the north lay Stygian
darkness. In these black depths he disappeared.

At this moment the clerk in the hotel was
aroused by the unusual spectacle of one of his
guests -- young Wainwright -- leaping down the
stairs. He looked up with a surprised question.
But Stephen ran past him, across the office, without
heed. He gained the door, rushed down the
steps, and shouted. The boys ceased playing, a
passer-by came to a stop, out of the saloon opposite
stepped Miguel. Miguel hastened across,
drawing his hand over his mouth as he ran. Stephen
opened upon him breathlessly.

"He's gone!" he burst out. "I saw it from my
window. A young man in blue shirt and overalls.
The horse has been stolen!"

Miguel threw up both hands in despair.
"_Valgame_Dios!_" he cried. "I am lose my job!" He
looked about him blankly.

Sick at heart, not knowing what to do, Stephen
himself bolted back into the hotel. He entered
the telephone booth and rang up the Judge's
office. It was late, but he took a chance. The
Judge answered the call. His voice was weary
with the strain of a long day.

"Who in thunder wants me at this hour?" he

[[152]]

p151 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p152w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p153

v?