"
"It's lucky I rode to Las Palmas this morning. In another hour you
would have been across the Rio Grande--with Rosa and all her fine
clothes, eh? Now you will be hanged. Well, that is how fortune
goes."
The horse-breaker tossed his head and shrugged with a brave
assumption of indifference; he laughed shortly. "You can prove
nothing."
"Yes," continued Dave, "and Rosa will go to prison, too. Now--
suppose I should let you go? Would you help me? In ten minutes you
could be safe." He inclined his head toward the muddy, silent
river outside. "Would you be willing to help me?"
Jose's brows lifted. "What's this you are saying?" he inquired,
eagerly.
"I would only ask you a few questions."
"What questions?"
"Where is Senora Austin?"
Jose's face became blank. "I don't know."
"Oh yes, you do. She started for La Feria. But--did she get there?
Or did Longorio have other plans for her? You'd better tell me the
truth, for your general can't help you now." Dave did his best to
read the Mexican's expression, but failed. "Senor Ed's death means
nothing to me," he went on, "but I must know where his wife is,
and I'm willing to pay, with your liberty.
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