diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 20:40:29 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 20:40:29 -0800 |
| commit | 841a9a0fcf16ddf3c7fe47c9b97062f6ebc3be92 (patch) | |
| tree | 0483f9d06d5010c762c79a197ed7f8bf8a0a5a1b | |
| parent | 10df80dc057d0fc97deef12b89a765cd0855b8c4 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | 44061-0.txt | 1 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44061-8.txt | 5448 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44061-8.zip | bin | 87114 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44061-h.zip | bin | 126713 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44061.txt | 5448 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44061.zip | bin | 87083 -> 0 bytes |
6 files changed, 0 insertions, 10897 deletions
diff --git a/44061-0.txt b/44061-0.txt index bfb4339..8d52096 100644 --- a/44061-0.txt +++ b/44061-0.txt @@ -5050,5 +5050,4 @@ Transcriber's note: --Non-standard spellings and dialect were left unchanged. - *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44061 *** diff --git a/44061-8.txt b/44061-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7c62070..0000000 --- a/44061-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5448 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Crossed Trails in Mexico, by Nell Virginia -Fairfax and Helen Allan Ripley - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: Crossed Trails in Mexico - Mexican Mystery Stories #3 - - -Author: Nell Virginia Fairfax and Helen Allan Ripley - - - -Release Date: November 1, 2013 [eBook #44061] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CROSSED TRAILS IN MEXICO*** - - -E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) - - - -CROSSED TRAILS IN MEXICO - -by - -HELEN RANDOLPH - - - - - - - -A. L. Burt Company, Publishers -New York Chicago - - * * * * * * - -Mexican Mystery Stories For Girls -By Helen Randolph - -The Mystery of Carlitos -The Secret of Casa Grande -Crossed Trails in Mexico - - -Copyright 1936 by -A. L. Burt Company -Printed in the U.S.A. - - * * * * * * - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. "I'm Afraid I'm Going to Lose My Life" 7 - II. The Mystery Man 19 - III. The Hitch-Hiker 29 - IV. Pressing Difficulties 38 - V. The Hidden Car 51 - VI. A Familiar Face 63 - VII. "We Must Get an Early Start" 78 - VIII. At the Mine 90 - IX. Miss Prudence's Cleaning Spree 100 - X. The Indefinite Mañana 111 - XI. The Secret of the Olla 119 - XII. Heading for Trouble 127 - XIII. The Pottery Woman's Warning 139 - XIV. Jo Ann's Search 148 - XV. Anxious Moments 161 - XVI. Down the Mine Shaft 177 - XVII. In the Darkness 189 - XVIII. Jo Ann Finds a Way 200 - XIX. An Exciting Race 216 - XX. More Troubles 229 - XXI. Welcome Guests 243 - - - - - CHAPTER I - "I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO LOSE MY LIFE" - - -Peggy nudged Jo Ann and pointed to the sign ahead: "Speed limit, 80 -miles." - -Jo Ann's dark brown eyes twinkled. "It's plain to see we're out in the -Texas open now--the wide open." - -"Too bad poor old Jitters can't accept the invitation to do eighty. She's -doing well when she makes forty or fifty. But even if she could go -faster, Florence wouldn't let her." Peggy gestured toward the small, -trim, fair-haired girl at the wheel. - -"Florence has lived in Mexico so long that she's slow but sure like the -Mexicans. She's always saying, 'Why the great rush? There's plenty of -time!' If I were driving, now--" Jo Ann nodded her mop of unruly black -curls vigorously--"I'd encourage Jitters to go her limit, especially -since she has brand-new tires." - -"Here too. Weren't we lucky to find such a bargain in a car? I'll admit -she's not much on looks and that she shakes till she deserves the name of -Jitters--but she's ours, all ours." Peggy's hazel eyes gazed admiringly -upon their old battered Ford. - -"And look where she's carrying us: to Mexico! All the way to the land of -mystery and romance!" - -"I can hardly wait to get back down there again. I wonder if we'll run -into as thrilling adventures as we did last summer when we were visiting -Florence." - -Peggy smiled. "You will. You're always getting out of one mystery only to -tumble headlong into another." - -Jo Ann nodded toward the prim, erect, gray-haired woman on the front seat -beside Florence and murmured, "Miss Prudence'll keep me on my good -behavior this time. Even if some tremendous mystery bumps right into me -this trip, I'm not going to pay one bit of attention to it." - -"Straight from Missouri am I," Peggy replied, laughing. - -"From Mississippi, you mean. From a year's hard work in good old Evanston -High. The work's agreed with us, hasn't it? We're both four or five -pounds heavier. School's agreed with Carlitos, too." Jo Ann leaned -forward to smile at the round-faced eleven-year-old boy sitting on the -other side of Peggy. "He's as fat as a butter ball now." - -Ever since the five had started on their long automobile journey, -Carlitos had been too busy viewing the scenery to talk, but at Jo Ann's -words he opened his blue eyes wide and asked in broken English, "Butter -ball--what is dat?" - -Both Jo Ann and Peggy exchanged smiles. It seemed strange to them that -Carlitos could not understand the most commonplace phrases, yet when they -stopped to think that he had spoken Spanish altogether till he had come -to the States last fall, they marveled that he talked as well as he did. - -While Jo Ann was explaining to him the meaning of the words "butter -ball," Peggy was mentally reviewing his strange life. When he was about a -year old his parents had come from New Jersey to a remote Mexican village -where his father, Charles Eldridge, owned a silver mine. A few months -later Mr. Eldridge had met his death at the hands of a treacherous -Mexican foreman, and shortly afterwards Mrs. Eldridge had died from the -combined effects of shock and pneumonia, leaving the tiny Carlitos in the -care of a poor ignorant Indian nurse. The foreman, who had taken -possession of the mine, then tried to kidnap Carlitos, the rightful heir. -Alarmed at this threatened danger, the nurse had fled across the -mountains with Carlitos and her family where they were befriended by Jo -Ann, Florence, and herself. Due to their efforts Carlitos's uncle, Edward -Eldridge, had been found and the mine restored to Carlitos. So dismayed -had his uncle been at finding that his nephew could not speak English -that he had sent him to Massachusetts to live with his aunt, Miss -Prudence Eldridge. - -Peggy smiled to herself as her thoughts wandered around to the New -England spinster aunt who had come down by train with Carlitos to -Mississippi and was accompanying them the rest of the way to Mexico. Miss -Prudence's never-ceasing astonishment at having a half-grown nephew who -was just learning to speak English was a source of amusement to her and -Florence and Jo Ann. - -Just then Carlitos broke into an excited exclamation: "We come to big -city! See--big high houses!" - -"Fine!" Jo Ann ejaculated. "That must be Houston. We've made much better -time than I thought. We'll be there by seven o'clock." - -With a broad smile Peggy remarked low-voiced to Jo Ann, "Don't forget -that you drew Miss Prudence for your roommate tonight. I heard her say -she always rises at five-thirty, so I see where you'll have to get up -with the chickens." - -"If I have to get up at that ghastly hour, I'll wake you and Florence, -too. It'll be specially good for you to get up early. As Miss Prudence -said last night, 'Remember, the early bird catches the worm'!" - -Peggy made a funny little grimace. "But I don't want to catch worms--I -don't like 'em." - -"You'll have to acquire a taste for them then," Jo Ann retorted between -giggles. A moment later she added, "We really ought to get an early start -tomorrow morning, sure enough, since we may go by way of Brownsville." - -On reaching the city a half hour later, they drove straight to one of the -larger hotels. - -"I just adore going into strange hotels," remarked Peggy, starting to get -out of the car. - -Miss Prudence turned in time to see her rising and said quickly, "You -girls wait here while I go in and look around. One can't be too -particular about the kind of hotel one chooses, even to stay for a few -hours." - -Disappointed, Peggy dropped back into her seat. - -"Never mind, Peg, when we get to Mexico she'll let Florence and us take -the lead, since she's never been there before." - -In a few minutes the girls saw Miss Prudence returning, followed closely -by a porter. - -"Come on," she called out briskly to them. "I've registered for us all." - -She hurried them on inside the hotel and into the elevator so rapidly -that Peggy declared afterwards that she wouldn't have known she was in a -hotel if she hadn't seen a bellboy. - -When the porter stopped at the first room and asked which baggage he was -to carry in, Miss Prudence pointed to her suitcase, then hesitated a half -second. - -Peggy grasped this opportunity to put in, "Jo says she's going to be your -roommate this time." - -Miss Prudence smiled over at Jo Ann. "Fine. Carlitos's room connects with -ours; then you and Florence have the one next to his. All of you hurry -and get cleaned up, now, so we can get something to eat right away. Then -we'll come straight up and go to bed. We have to get an early start in -the morning, you know." - -The three girls exchanged swift glances but did not protest. - -Once inside their room, however, Peggy groaned loudly to Florence, "Miss -Prudence acts as if we were still in rompers. Putting us to bed as soon -as we've eaten our suppers! What's the fun of coming to a new city if you -can't see anything?" - -By nine o'clock, still inwardly protesting but outwardly calm, the girls -were marshaled back to their rooms by Miss Prudence. - -Jo Ann bade Peggy and Florence good night and remarked with a teasing -smile, "You'll hear me knocking at your door about 5:30 A.M." - -"Don't you dare!" both girls exclaimed in the same breath. Florence -added, "Surely you wouldn't be that cruel!" - -"Oh yes, I would. Misery needs companionship. Be sure to leave the -sliding panel of your door down as it is now, so you can hear my first -tap." Jo Ann indicated the top section of the door which was screened by -a Venetian blind, as were the doors of all the other rooms. - -It seemed to Jo Ann she had hardly been asleep two winks that night when -she heard a voice saying in her ear, "Sorry, my dear, but it's time -you're getting up." - -Miss Prudence! Surely it couldn't be morning! She suppressed a groan and -turned over for another nap, only to hear the insistent voice: "Sorry, my -dear, but----" - -Jo Ann managed to mumble a sleepy "All right." - -After much stretching and yawning she reluctantly slipped out of bed. She -stood blinking sleepily at Miss Prudence in her blue kimono and thinking -how Chinesey she looked with her long, gray, braided pigtail down her -back. - -Miss Prudence's next words were anything but Chinese: "Call the girls and -Carlitos before you start to dress. Both Peggy and Florence are slower -than you, and it'll take them a long time to get ready." - -"Some of my clothes are in Peg's bag, so I'll have to go in and get them -before I can dress. I'll wake them then." Thoroughly roused at last, Jo -Ann thrust her feet into her slippers, slipped into her negligee, and -started down the hall. - -Just as she reached the girls' door a man's earnest voice sounded -startlingly clear through the screened panel of the door directly across -the hall. Her heart gave a sudden frightened leap at hearing someone say, -"I'm afraid I'm going to lose my life before this is over." - -So distinct were the words that it seemed as if the man were talking to -her. In danger of losing his life! And he was! There was no mistaking the -conviction in his voice. It was not the broken trembling voice of a -coward. It had been firm, strong, even though he was sure he was in grave -danger. He must be talking to someone over the phone--there was no -audible answer. Why was he in such terrible trouble? What had he done? -Was he a criminal or a detective? - -Standing statue-like at the girls' door Jo Ann listened intently for his -next words. "I was hot on their trail," the voice went on, "but had two -flats, and that delayed me.... Yes, in the usual place." - -Before she could realize that the conversation had ended, the door opened -suddenly, and a tall, stalwart man wearing a broad-brimmed tan felt hat -stepped out. On seeing Jo Ann he halted and shot a piercing glance at her -from gray eyes so penetratingly keen that she felt as if they were -cutting straight through her. - -She flushed with embarrassment. It had been unpardonably rude to -eavesdrop that way. What must that man think of her? Hurriedly she began -knocking on the girls' door. - -Out of the corner of her eye she saw that the man, after hesitating a -fraction of a second, had gone on down the hall toward the elevator. - - - - - CHAPTER II - THE MYSTERY MAN - - -After she had knocked several times, Peggy called out sleepily, "Who's -that?" - -"Open the door. Hurry!" - -"All right--I'll be there--in a jiffy." - -In a few moments Peggy flung the door open, and Jo Ann stepped inside, -her eyes still dilated with excitement. - -"I've just heard the strangest--most mysterious thing!" she gasped. - -"You would!" Peggy declared. "But that's nothing unusual for you. You're -always hearing and seeing mysterious things." - -"What was it?" Florence called from the bed. - -"Well, just as I had reached your door and was about to knock, I heard a -man in the room directly across the hall say in the most earnest voice -imaginable, 'I'm afraid I'm going to lose my life before this is over.'" - -Both girls stared wide-eyed at Jo Ann; then Peggy, recovering from her -first shock, asked half doubtfully, "You're sure you didn't misunderstand -him? Your imagination runs riot now and then. Perhaps you just thought -you heard him say that." - -Jo Ann shook her head vigorously. "No imagination about it. I heard him -as distinctly as I do you now." - -"What on earth made him say that, do you suppose, Jo?" Florence asked -curiously. - -"That's what I'd like to know." - -"What can that man be--a gangster?" Without waiting for an answer Peggy -added, shuddering, "The idea of that man's being right across the hall -from us gives me the creeps." She flew back to the door to see if she had -locked it. - -"I believe he must be a detective; I feel sure he wasn't a gangster," Jo -Ann said quickly. "He didn't look like one." - -"You saw him!" both girls exclaimed together. - -"Yes, he came out of his door suddenly and caught me standing there -listening. I hadn't any business eavesdropping--but I just couldn't help -it. I wanted to know why he thought he was going to lose his life." - -"Did you hear him say anything else?" queried Peggy in a whisper, -glancing back toward the door as if she thought the man might be doing -some eavesdropping himself. - -"Not very much. Evidently he was talking to someone over the phone. I -couldn't hear anyone answering. He said that he'd lost the trail because -he'd been delayed on account of two flat tires." - -"Lost the trail!" Florence repeated. "That sounds as if he's a detective, -sure enough. Whom do you suppose he was after?" - -"That's hard to say. I'd have to use my imagination to answer that." - -"You've certainly run into a real mystery this time," put in Peggy, now -thoroughly convinced that Jo Ann's tale was not fiction. "You ought to -have thought up some kind of a solution by----" - -A sharp knock at the door broke into Peggy's sentence, and all three -girls gave little surprised jumps and stared at the door without saying a -word. - -The next instant Miss Prudence's voice called out crisply, "Girls!" - -"Oh, it's just Miss Prudence!" Peggy exclaimed in relief. "I thought -maybe that man...." She left her sentence unfinished and ran to the door. - -Jo Ann's face reddened guiltily. She had forgotten entirely about -dressing and telling the girls to hurry. - -As soon as Miss Prudence stepped inside and saw that the girls were still -in their pajamas, she looked over reproachfully at Jo Ann and said, "I -thought you'd all be almost dressed by this time." - -"We would've been ready, but...." Jo Ann rushed into an account of the -strange telephone conversation she had heard, ending apologetically, "I -was so excited that I forgot all about our having to dress." - -As soon as Jo Ann had finished, Miss Prudence spoke up quickly, "The -sooner we get out of this hotel the better. I don't like the idea of -being in a room across from a man that's expecting to get killed any -instant. Hurry fast as you can and get dressed." - -"The man's not in his room now: I saw him go down the hall toward the -elevator," Jo Ann reminded her. - -"But he might come back any minute, and there might--well, something -might happen. Hurry, girls." - -Thus urged, the girls dressed hastily. Even Peggy, who usually was -deliberate about arranging her auburn hair into neat waves, speeded up -this part of her toilet and was dressed in record-breaking time. - -After they had been joined by Carlitos they all went down to the coffee -room for their breakfast and then on out to the garage to get the car. - -Jo Ann slipped into the front seat of the car saying, "It's my turn to -drive Jitters this morning." - -"I'll sit with you to see that you don't go too fast," Florence remarked -smilingly, dropping down beside her. - -Jo Ann laughed. "It's Jitters herself that'll keep me from exceeding the -speed limit." - -After they had left the city and had gone several miles, Jo Ann noticed -that in the automobile just ahead of them were three men, one wearing a -uniform and the other two in civilian clothes and large felt hats similar -to the one the mystery man had worn. "The biggest one of those men in -that car ahead looks exactly like the man I overheard talking this -morning," she remarked to Florence. "He's the same size and is wearing -the same kind of hat." - -Florence smiled. "It seems to me most of the men I've seen so far in -Texas are big and wear that kind of hat. You have that mystery man on -your mind: that's why you think you see a resemblance." - -"Maybe so, but I believe it's that very man." - -"It's possible that it is he, but"--Florence smiled--"I'm more interested -in that man in the uniform. I believe he's a traffic cop and is going to -get you for speeding." - -"Look at that sign!" Jo Ann pointed to another road sign indicating that -the speed limit was 80 miles. "And now look at the speedometer. I'm going -to let Jitters do her best now and pass that car. I want to get a good -look at that man and see if it is my mystery man. I'll feel relieved to -know he's still alive." - -Jo Ann stepped on the gas and soon was swinging out to the side of the -road. As she passed by the other car, she threw a swift but keen glance -at the largest one of the men. - -"That is the mystery man!" she exclaimed a moment later. "I'm sure it's -he. I certainly am glad he's still alive." - -Florence relayed Jo Ann's words to Peggy, whereupon Peggy craned her neck -to stare out of the rear window at the occupants of the car. "Where do -you suppose they're going--to Mexico?" she asked Florence a moment later. - -Florence shook her head. "Ask me an easy question. That's too hard for -me." - -"I wish I knew more about him. I wonder why he's in such terrible -trouble. I hope he's going the same route we are." - -"It's high time we're deciding whether we're going by way of Brownsville -or Laredo," Florence called back, hoping that Miss Prudence would catch -the anxious note in her voice. She and the other two girls had hinted -very strongly to her that they would like to take the longer route, by -way of Brownsville, so they could see Lucile Owen, one of their -schoolmates, but Miss Prudence had so far refused to say definitely -whether she would be willing. - -"I'd love to see Lucile," Jo Ann put in, loud enough for Miss Prudence to -hear, and adding also for her special benefit, "She says no one really -knows Texas till he's seen the Rio Grande valley and its citrus groves." - -"It's the most famous garden spot of Texas," added Peggy. - -The girls could see that Miss Prudence was favorably impressed, but she -still hesitated to give her approval, saying, "It's so far out of our -way--four hundred miles at least." - -"I believe if we keep singing the valley's praises she'll give her -consent," Florence prophesied, low-voiced, to Jo Ann. - -"Whichever way we go, I hope the mystery man goes the same way," Jo Ann -replied. "I want to find out more about him. Is his car still following?" - -Florence turned around to see, then reported, "Yes, just a short distance -behind." - -Several times afterwards Jo Ann asked that same question, to have it -answered each time in the affirmative. - -By about two o'clock she decided that they must be nearing the road -turning off to Brownsville. "Miss Prudence'll have to decide very shortly -now which way we're going," she told Florence. - -Evidently Peggy was thinking the same thing, as the next moment they -heard her appealing again to Miss Prudence to decide on that route. While -Miss Prudence was still wavering about her decision, Jo Ann drove past -the Brownsville road, but stopped as soon as Florence told her she had -seen the sign. "We've got to decide right now," she ended. - - - - - CHAPTER III - THE HITCH-HIKER - - -Just as Florence was speaking, she and Jo Ann saw the car that had been -following whiz by them with only the two men in civilian clothes in it. - -"Oh, there goes the mystery man!" Jo Ann exclaimed. "He's going the -Laredo road. I wish I could follow and see if anything happens to him." - -Miss Prudence spoke up quickly: "We're not going to follow anybody who's -expecting to be murdered any minute. We'd better go the Brownsville road. -Back to that filling station and ask if the road's good." - -Jo Ann obediently backed the car to the filling station, though a queer -feeling now possessed her that she ought to have kept on the Laredo road. -"I can't help feeling as worried over that man as if I'd known him for a -long time," she told herself. "I wonder if I'll ever see him again." - -By this time Miss Prudence was talking to the service-station man about -the road. - -"I think the road's okay, but"--he nodded toward a man in uniform--"he'll -know. He's a coast guard and goes back and forth often that way. He's -waiting to catch a ride to Brownsville now." - -Miss Prudence inspected the tall blond young man closely, then remarked -low-voiced, "It might be a good idea to have him go with us: coast guards -are used to protecting people." - -"I hope she asks him to ride with us," Jo Ann whispered to Florence. "He -might know about the mystery man, since he's been riding in the car with -him." - -The next moment Miss Prudence gestured to the coast guard, who promptly -hurried over to the car and in answer to her questions began praising the -road and the beauty of the valley. - -"Californians could learn how to boost higher and better from him," Jo -Ann thought, smiling. "Miss Prudence'll be sure to go now." - -She was right. Miss Prudence promptly decided to go to Brownsville and -asked the coast guard to accompany them. To make room for him on the -front seat, she ordered Carlitos and Florence to exchange places. - -"You're the sandwich filling now," Jo Ann laughingly told Carlitos, as he -slipped in beside her. - -Carlitos smiled doubtfully. From the expression on her face he knew she -must be joking, but he could not understand the point. - -After she had explained it to him, she told the curious coast guard -briefly how it was that Carlitos, though an American by birth, was just -beginning to speak English. The guard, proud of his newly learned -Spanish, began talking in that language to Carlitos, much to his joy and -to Miss Prudence's disapproval. - -At the first break in their conversation Jo Ann quickly recounted to the -guard the strange telephone conversation she had overheard in the hotel -and ended tentatively, "I believe that man I overheard was one of those -men whose car you were in." - -"You're probably right," the guard replied. "I'd never seen either of -those men before they picked me up, but they told me they'd been chasing -some smugglers who'd been bringing in dope and gold across the Mexican -border. I shouldn't like to be in those men's shoes. Those smugglers -belong to a desperate gang who're as cold-blooded as snakes. They'd as -soon kill anyone as not." - -"With as many officers as we have, it looks as if they could stop that -smuggling," Jo Ann replied. - -The guard shook his head. "Easier said than done. When we get to -Brownsville, I'll show you just one of the smugglers' many tricks--how -some of the boldest bring dope and gold across the bridge there, closely -guarded as it is. Smugglers have whole bags of such tricks." - -"Be sure to show us that. It'll be interesting to find out first hand -about smugglers." - -Though it was dark when they reached Brownsville, Jo Ann reminded the -guard of his promise as he was about to get out of the car near the -International Bridge. - -"Sure, I'll show you if you want to see," he answered. "It's black as -pitch under the bridge now, and you'll get a better idea of how the -smuggling's done." - -Jo Ann turned to Miss Prudence and rapidly explained that the guard was -going to show them how some of the smuggling was carried on across the -border. - -Miss Prudence raised her eyebrows in disapproval. "I hardly think you -girls need any information along such lines. Of course, it's probably a -little interesting--in a way--to see how smuggling could be carried on -right under our custom officials' noses, but----" - -Jo Ann smiled to herself. Miss Prudence was as curious to know about -smuggling methods as she was. "She'll consent--after she objects a -while." - -Jo Ann was right. Finally, after protesting a few more minutes, Miss -Prudence gave her permission, and all five followed the guard below the -bridge. Blinded by the sudden change from the lighted street, they -stumbled along in the darkness, half terrified at their daring. - -"The river's very low now," the guard explained. "Anyone can manage to -crawl down the bank and get out a long way under the bridge and hide. -Just before the smuggler, coming from the Mexican side, nears the -appointed place, he whistles his signal to his confederate waiting under -the bridge, then tosses his package over the railing to him." - -"There might be some of those smugglers here this very instant," Miss -Prudence whispered nervously. "Let's go back." - -"They might think we're spying on them and shoot us," added Peggy. - -Jo Ann heard the amused note in the guard's voice as he answered, "There -won't be any smuggling going on this early in the evening." - -"But it's pitch dark," Miss Prudence put in. - -"And terribly scary," added Florence, grabbing Jo Ann by the arm. "Come -on." - -Even though Jo Ann was reluctant to leave this fascinating spot, she too -felt more comfortable when they climbed back up the bank and out on the -lighted sidewalk again. Her thoughts centered once more on the mystery -man whose work kept his life endangered by smugglers. - -"I hope he breaks up that gang of smugglers without losing his life," she -told herself. - -After they had said good-by to the coast guard, they went to the nearest -hotel. - -"The first thing we've got to do now," Jo Ann said while they were being -whisked up in the elevator, "is to phone Lucile and tell her we're here." - -"She'll be sure to invite us to her house to dinner tonight," put in -Peggy, her eyes shining with anticipation. - -"Won't it be nice to be together again?" added Florence. - -As soon as Jo Ann had succeeded in getting Lucile on the telephone, Peggy -and Florence listened eagerly to the one-sided conversation and tried to -guess the other side. - -Lucile's eager voice came back quickly in answer to Jo Ann with an -invitation for all five to spend the night at her home. "You've arrived -at the right moment," she went on. "Edna is visiting me and I'm having a -little dinner party for her tonight." - -Jo Ann refused the first part of the invitation, explaining that they had -already secured their rooms at the hotel. "We'll be delighted to come to -your dinner party, though," she added. - -Miss Prudence broke in quickly with an emphatic, "Tell her it'll be -impossible for me and Carlitos to come. I'm too tired to go another step -anywhere. If they'll come after you girls and bring you back, it'll be -all right for you to go without me." - -Jo Ann relayed this message to Lucile, ending, "We'll be ready when you -get here." - - - - - CHAPTER IV - PRESSING DIFFICULTIES - - -After Jo Ann had finished talking to Lucile, Florence and Peggy asked -together, "Is it a real party she's having? Will we have to dress up?" - -"Yes, we'll have to wear dinner dresses, of course. We'll have to speed, -too, if we're to be ready when she gets here." - -"Oh, I'm afraid my blue crêpe'll be a mass of wrinkles," Peggy exclaimed -as she hurried over and began unpacking her clothes. - -"Get my dress--the pink taffeta--out, too," Jo Ann called out on her way -to the bathroom. "It's in your suitcase. I'll have my bath in two jiffies -and be in my dress in another one." - -When she reappeared in the room a few minutes later, garbed in a negligee -whose rose color matched her fresh glowing cheeks, she found that Miss -Prudence and Carlitos had gone to the dining room and that Florence and -Peggy were standing lamenting over the wrinkled state of their dinner -dresses. - -"Our dresses are terribly rumpled, and yours is the worst of the three," -Peggy remarked with a worried frown. "I hate for us to disgrace Lucile by -coming to her party looking like wrecks of the Hesperus." - -"We won't have time to send them out to a pressing shop or even to the -maid here in the hotel--we'd never get them back in time to wear," added -Florence. - -"Oh, stop worrying!" Jo Ann sang out, as she ran the comb through her -curls. "I'll press all three dresses while you're getting your baths. You -have a small electric iron in your bag, didn't you say, Florence?" - -"Yes. It's really a toy that I'm taking as a present to one of the little -girls in my neighborhood. The cord's so short--I doubt if you can use the -iron." - -"Get it out and I'll use it all right." Jo Ann's voice was confident. - -When Florence handed the iron to her and she saw how short the cord was, -she began to feel dubious, though her determination did not waver. She'd -manage some way. After a hasty look about the room she saw there was only -one usable light socket in the room--the high ceiling one above the bed. - -"I'll have to attach the iron to that socket." She pointed to the ceiling -light. - -Florence looked at the diminutive cord and laughed. "You can't do it." - -"If you'll hold me steady, you'll see." Jo Ann climbed up on the foot of -the bed. "Hold my legs, now." She stood tiptoe on this perch and after -many efforts succeeded in putting the plug into one of the center -sockets. - -That done, she stepped down on a newspaper on the bed, but to her -disappointment she saw that the cord lacked at least four feet. - -Peggy and Florence burst into giggles at the funny sight of Jo Ann -holding the iron in midair. - -"Stop giggling, sillies, and do something, quick. This iron's getting -hot, and I'm getting tired holding it. Get that table over there and put -it up here on the bed. Hurry!" - -The two girls rushed over to the table, jerked off the water pitcher and -glasses, and then carried it over and lifted it on top of the bed. The -iron still hung at least two feet above the table. - -"Oh gee!" wailed Jo Ann. "Get something else to put on top of the table. -Step on it! Don't run around in circles like a puppy after its tail, -Peg." - -"Thanks for the beautiful comparison," Peggy grinned. "You're equally -funny looking yourself, springing up and down on that bed every time you -move." - -"Can't help springing. It's the springiest bed in all Texas." - -By that time Florence had brought over the low luggage stool and placed -it on top of the table. But even with its added height there were several -inches between it and the iron. - -"There's nothing else to put on top of that--except the dresser," called -out Peggy between giggles. "Oh yes, maybe the telephone book'll help." -She ran over with it and several magazines and piled them on top of the -luggage stand. - -"Attaboy!" Jo Ann ejaculated triumphantly as she set the iron down on the -magazines. "Now bring me something for an ironing-board cover and the -dresses." - -In a few more minutes she was ironing away energetically, swaying back -and forth in her efforts to keep her balance on the springy bed. "Stop -staring at me and giggling and get dressed, you sillies. What's so funny -now?" - -"I was just wondering what the manager'd say if he'd come in and catch -you ironing," grinned Peggy. "It's against the rules to iron in a -room--at least, it is in all the hotels I've ever heard of." - -Jo Ann flushed guiltily. Noticing that the sliding wood panel of the door -was down and that someone might be able to peer between the slats of the -blinds at the screened top, she implored Peggy to slide the panel up. -Peggy obediently pushed the panel up as commanded, but no sooner had she -turned away than it slipped down with a crash like a pistol shot. - -Both girls jumped in alarm, and Jo Ann almost tumbled off the bed. - -"Now we're in for it!" Jo Ann gasped. "Someone'll think we're shooting in -here and will come to investigate. Shove that panel up again--quick. Push -a chair against it to hold it in place." - -After a few minutes had passed and no one had come to investigate, Jo Ann -breathed more freely. Just as she was complimenting herself on coming to -the finishing touches of her pressing, there came a sudden knocking at -the door. Jo Ann was petrified. Was it the manager? She shook her head -vigorously at Peggy, who was starting to open the door. - -The next moment the door was rattled violently. Simultaneously the panel -banged down again. - -From the hall there sounded a woman's shrill voice. - -"Miss Prudence!" the girls gasped. - -"Open the door this instant, Peg, and get her inside before someone else -comes," Jo Ann ordered. - -The moment Miss Prudence stepped inside and saw Jo Ann perched on top of -the bed, ironing, she stared in amazement. As soon as she had recovered -from her first surprise, she burst out, "What does this mean? Don't you -know it's against the rules to iron in your room? I've never stayed in a -hotel anywhere that allowed ironing in the rooms. We'll get in trouble -yet--besides having to pay extra money. You'd better stop this instant." - -"But I'm most through now," Jo Ann replied meekly. "In a few minutes I'll -have my dress finished." - -"But just suppose the manager should knock on the door and catch you on -top of the bed like this?" - -As Miss Prudence was still worrying when Florence had finished dressing, -she decided to see for herself what the hotel rules said about ironing. -She walked over and began glancing at the printed rules hanging on the -wall by the telephone. - -A few moments later she stopped reading and burst into peals of laughter. -"Oh, girls!" she exclaimed after she had checked her mirth a little. -"This is rich! Funniest thing I've ever heard. The rules say----" She -stopped and broke into uncontrollable laughter again. - -Peggy ran over to read the rule that was causing Florence so much -amusement. Then she too began to laugh, stopping only long enough to -exclaim, "Oh--this is killing!" - -"What's the joke? What on earth does that say?" Jo Ann demanded. - -Peggy checked her laughter long enough to answer, "It says when a -guest--wishes to iron--to call the office, and ironing board--and iron'll -be sent up immediately." - -Jo Ann's jaw dropped, as did Miss Prudence's. Their expressions were so -ridiculous that Florence and Peggy continued laughing till the tears -rolled down their cheeks. - -After an amazed, "And to think I could've had a real iron and board for -the asking!" Jo Ann began laughing equally merrily. - -They were all still smiling broadly several minutes later when they went -down to the lobby to meet Lucile and her mother, who were waiting for -them there. - -The dinner party turned out to be a great success, and the girls did not -return to the hotel till almost eleven o'clock. - -"It's my turn to sleep with Miss Prudence," Peggy remarked on entering -the other girls' room, "but I'm scared to go in there and wake her up -this late. She'd think it an unearthly hour." She stopped talking and -smiled over at the girls. "Aren't you going to be polite and ask me to -sleep with you? You'd better, because I'm going to, invitation or no -invitation." - -With a mock groan Jo Ann looked at the double bed and then at Peggy. -"Say, Florence," she remarked finally, "I feel sorry for ourselves, don't -you?" - -"Put her in the middle where she can take the consequences," suggested -Florence, her eyes twinkling. - -Jo Ann grimaced. "The consequences'll probably be that you and I'll be -out on the floor before the night's over." - -After much subdued giggling and chatter the three girls finally climbed -into bed and drifted off to sleep. - -About five o'clock the next morning they were aroused by someone knocking -at the door. - -Peggy waked with a start. "Someone knocking! Maybe the hotel's afire and -they're trying to rouse us!" darted through her mind. - -She flung off the covers, tumbled over the sleeping Jo Ann, and rushed to -the door to find an anxious-faced Miss Prudence. - -"Thank goodness you're here, Peggy," Miss Prudence exclaimed. "I just -woke up and found you weren't in my room, and I was so alarmed! Are the -other girls here?" She snapped on the light and stood blinking at the -frightened Florence and Jo Ann, who by this time were sitting up in bed, -trying to figure out what had happened. - -"Now that you're all awake you might as well dress, so we can get an -early start," Miss Prudence announced crisply. - -Jo Ann groaned audibly and sank back in the bed. - -"Isn't it only about two or three o'clock?" Florence asked hesitatingly. - -"Mercy, no! It's after five. It takes you girls so long to dress that -it'll be six or half past before you'll be ready." - -"Oh, but I'm so--so sleepy!" Peggy yawned. "Five o'clock's an awful hour -to get up." - -Miss Prudence eyed her severely. "You stayed up too late last night, -probably. Just dash some cold water in your face--that'll wake you." She -added with a whimsical note in her voice, "Perhaps I'd better do it for -you--and sprinkle some on Florence and Jo Ann, too." - -"Oh, have a heart, Miss Prudence!" Jo Ann begged, burrowing her head -under the covers. - -Seeing that Miss Prudence was in earnest about the early start and was -going to stay there to see that they did get up and dress, Florence and -Jo Ann reluctantly slipped out of bed. - -"When we reach the mine, I'm going to sleep and sleep to make up for all -this lost time," Jo Ann murmured to the girls between yawns as she was -dressing. - -"Maybe you'll even sleep through the siesta hour--you couldn't learn that -trick last summer, it seemed," Peggy replied. "I take to sleeping the way -Miss Prudence does to getting up with the chickens. Maybe the tropical -heat'll make her more sleepy-headed down there." - -Florence smiled. "Here's hoping it will." - - - - - CHAPTER V - THE HIDDEN CAR - - -Once they were in the car and on their way, winding along the Rio Grande -and breathing in the fresh, invigorating morning air, they felt better -about having had to start so early. - -"We'll make the city early this afternoon, at this rate," Peggy remarked. -"That'll give us time to do a little sightseeing. I wish we didn't have -to go clear to Laredo before we cross the river. I'm eager to get on -Mexican soil right away." - -"That's the way with me," Jo Ann added. "I wish there were a short cut -somewhere. It seems as if there ought to be." - -When, two hours later, they stopped at a filling station in a little town -to get some gas, and Jo Ann made this same remark to the service man, he -looked puzzled and merely nodded his head. Florence, realizing that he -understood little English, began questioning him in Spanish. - -All smiles on hearing his native language, he answered at once, "_Sí_, -there is a bridge you can cross here. They are putting in a new highway -across the desert, which joins the main highway from Laredo." - -"_Bien._ I think we shall go that way," Florence replied. "It will save -us much time, will it not?" - -"_Sí_--a little. It is about a hundred kilometers less, that way." - -Florence smiled. "That is very good." Now that she was so close to the -country where her parents lived she was growing more and more eager to -get home. - -"That desert road doesn't sound good to me," Miss Prudence put in, -shaking her gray head vigorously. "It's probably impassable. Ask him if -it's any worse than this one. I certainly don't want to get stranded in -the desert." - -Florence obediently relayed her question. - -"If there isn't any rain"--the man grinned and shrugged his -shoulders--"you can drive through all right." - -Florence translated to Miss Prudence what he had said and added, "The -rainy season doesn't begin till September. We're not likely to have rain. -Look at the sky!" She gestured to the cloudless expanse of blue above -them. - -"It's so dry and hot now it's hard to believe it ever rains in this -forsaken country." Miss Prudence hesitated a moment, then went on, "If -we'll save that much distance through this awful country, maybe we'd -better try it." - -"Grand!" ejaculated all three girls together. - -"Ah, how good!" sang out Carlitos in Spanish. - -While Miss Prudence was still pointing out the country's bad points, Jo -Ann followed the man's directions and turned into the side road leading -across the toll bridge. With little difficulty she steered the car down -the narrow road, not stopping till they reached the bridge. - -As soon as they had passed over the middle of the bridge, the girls and -Carlitos, to Miss Prudence's evident disapproval, exclaimed joyously, -"We're in Mexico now! _Viva_ Mexico! _Viva_ Mexico!" - -As both Florence and Carlitos spoke Spanish fluently, it did not take -them long to answer the questions asked by the customs officials on the -Mexican side, and so they were soon permitted to drive on. They had not -left the river far behind before the vegetation began to change again to -the typical desert varieties, mesquite, chaparral, cacti--especially the -prickly pear and many other thorn-bearing kinds. - -Miss Prudence expressed her opinion by saying in a disgusted tone, -"Desolation itself. I never saw so much land going to waste." - -"But just think how fertile and productive the land is after it's -irrigated," observed Florence. - -Miss Prudence passed over Florence's comment without a word and went on -to scold about the condition of the road. "And that man called this a -good road. I'd call it a series of gullies. It's practically impassable. -If it should rain----" - -"It won't, don't worry," comforted Florence. - -On account of the many washed-out places in the road, Jo Ann found that -she had to drive in low gear frequently. As a result the engine soon -became overheated and steam began to pour out in jets from the radiator. - -"Oh, gee!" she ejaculated. "I'll have to stop now and get some water and -put it in the radiator." She drew her brows together into a frown. -"Where'll I get the water? We haven't a drop with us. Of all the -tenderfeet, I'm the biggest and greenest." - -"We'll have to drive all the way back to the river--or maybe we can find -a water hole down toward the river. We might walk down that gully a piece -and see." Florence pointed to the deep cut leading toward the river. - -"All right." Jo Ann drew the car up to one side of the road and stopped. - -"What's the matter?" Miss Prudence called out anxiously. - -"Nothing except our radiator's thirsty. I'm going down here and see if I -can find some water for it." She reached down and picked up a tin bucket -off the floor. "Who wants to go with me?" - -"I'll go," Florence replied. - -After eying the thick thorny vegetation on all sides, Peggy shook her -head. "Not I. I'd feel as if I were being electrocuted, walking through -all those thorns and stickers." - -As Jo Ann and Florence were picking their way gingerly along the rocky -gully, Jo Ann exclaimed, "Why, look! Here're some automobile tracks, and -here's one that looks as if it'd been made just recently. I can't imagine -anyone's being able to get much farther down here." - -"Nor I." - -When they had gone several yards farther, Jo Ann noticed that the car -tracks led up the sloping left side of the gully. All at once she spied a -car hidden behind some bushes up on the edge of the gully. - -"Look, there's the car!" she exclaimed, low-voiced, pointing to it. "Up -there behind that mesquite. Looks as if someone's tried to hide it there. -Something queer about that--suspicious. I'd like to go up and peek inside -it." - -"Well, I for one am not going up to investigate." Florence caught Jo Ann -by the hand and pulled her along as fast as she could through the maze of -thorny plants. "You have entirely too much curiosity." - -"It's enough to make anyone wonder, to find a car hidden in such a -desolate spot. Maybe"--she whispered her next word--"smugglers've hidden -it there. I'm going up and----" - -"Oh, please don't--please----" Florence tugged at Jo Ann's arm, but in -vain. - -Jo Ann turned back and started up the slope. - -"Well, if you're bound to go, I might as well go, too. I'm not going to -stay here alone." After this whispered reply Florence began following -her. - -Without speaking another word the two girls climbed on up the slope. -Cautiously they peeked through the mesquite and chaparral to see if they -could notice anyone in or around the car. - -As soon as they were satisfied that there was no one in sight, Jo Ann -made her way up to the old Ford and peered inside, Florence close behind. - -Both girls opened their eyes wide on seeing the quantities of pottery and -baskets piled in the back of the car. - -Just as Jo Ann was about to whisper to Florence that she believed the car -belonged to smugglers, she suddenly noticed that there was steam jetting -out from the radiator. She pointed meaningly to the steam. - -Florence caught the point immediately. Since the engine was still hot the -car must have been hidden there only a few minutes before. Without saying -a word she indicated to Jo Ann that they must hurry away. - -Jo Ann lingered for one long keen-eyed look at the battered old car and -especially at the license tag. She was determined to be able to identify -the car if she should see it again. She felt that there was something -mysterious about its being hidden there. A moment later she followed -Florence back down the slope. Silently they continued on down the gully. - -On noticing a path leading upward a few yards ahead on the left, Jo Ann -opened her lips to remark about it. Before she could utter a word, a -man's angry voice floated down, speaking rapidly in Spanish. What was it -he was saying? Something about---- - -Florence caught hold of her hand in a convulsive clutch, and she turned -to see Florence's eyes dilated in terror. - -Simultaneously a second voice sounded, with an even more angry ring in -it. - -"Hurry! Let's run!" Florence breathed. - -To Florence's consternation, Jo Ann darted straight up the path. Just -before reaching the top she halted and peered cautiously in the direction -of the men's voices, then scurried silently back. - -Together the two ran up the gully, not even halting when thorns tore -Florence's skirt and scratched a red gash in one of Jo Ann's legs. - -"Those men must've said something terrible to scare Florence this way," -Jo Ann thought as she ran. "All I could make out were the words 'money' -and 'thief.'" - -On the two rushed, with only a hurried glance backward now and then. - -When at last, panting and puffing, they reached the road, Jo Ann gasped, -"What'd--they say?" - -"The first one said--'he's a thief--cheating us--I'm going to kill him.'" - -"Wh-ew!" Jo Ann ejaculated while Florence was catching her breath. "The -other--what'd he say?" - -"He said, 'I'll help--you kill him.' Then he said--something about some -packages weighing more than his enemy had paid them for." - -"Did he say what was in the packages?" - -"No." - -"I believe those men are smugglers, don't you?" - -Florence nodded. "I feel sure they are." - -"Do you suppose they belong to that gang of smugglers the mystery man was -after?" - -"Hard to say." - -"I believe I'll know those men if I ever see them again--their car, too." -Jo Ann threw another hasty glance over her shoulder. "We'd better get -away from this place soon as possible." - -"But the engine's so hot--and we haven't any water." - -"Here's hoping the engine's cooled off by now." - -When they reached the car, Jo Ann glanced anxiously to see if the steam -were still rising. - -"Thank goodness!" she murmured as she saw there was no sign of misty -vapor rising from the radiator. "We'll get away from this spot in a -hurry." - -When they reached the car, Peggy called out, "We'd decided you'd tumbled -into a water hole or the Rio Grande and drowned. What kept you so long?" - -"Er--we----" began Florence. - -Jo Ann broke in hurriedly with, "We couldn't find any water." - -"What'll we do?" Miss Prudence spoke up quickly. "We can't go on without -water, can we?" - -"Yes, the engine's cooled enough by now." - -"But it would be the height of folly to start out on a desert road -without water." - -By that time Jo Ann had started the car, but not before both she and -Florence had looked anxiously toward the gully. - -"Something happened down in that gully that scared them," Peggy told -herself knowingly on noticing their anxious side glances and the excited -expression in their eyes. "As soon as I get them off to themselves, I'm -going to find out." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - A FAMILIAR FACE - - -It was with the keenest relief that Jo Ann managed to start the car and -drive away before the men appeared. She was not alone in feeling -relieved. - -Florence's taut body relaxed, and she remarked, in a low tone, "That was -a narrow escape. If those men'd seen us, no telling----" She left her -sentence unfinished. - -Jo Ann nodded understandingly. Those men would have been more angry than -ever if they had known that she and Florence had been listening to them -and peeking into their car. It was too bad she and Florence couldn't have -got some water, but she would far rather run the risk of finding water -elsewhere than for those men to have discovered them there. - -Florence seemed to have read her thoughts as she remarked the next -moment, "Surely we'll be able to find some water soon. We've just got to -get some before we go much farther." - -The engine soon began to boil again, and Jo Ann was almost in despair. -"Now what'll we do?" - -The next instant Florence cried excitedly, "There's a water carrier! We -can get water from him." - -"You mean that donkey cart jogging ahead there with the barrel on it?" - -"Yes. The Mexican's carrying water to some ranch house or village, and -maybe we can get him to sell us some." - -In a flurry of dust Jo Ann stopped the car beside the cart, and Florence -called out in Spanish to the old wrinkled water carrier, "_Buenos tardes, -señor_. Will you sell us a little water?" - -At the sound of Florence's voice the lazy burro promptly stopped, and the -man stood peering at them from under his big sombrero. - -"See," Florence went on, "we need water for our car. Will you sell us -some?" - -"_Muy bien._" He nodded his head and reached for the bucket Jo Ann was -holding out to him. - -"Thank my stars someone knows where to get water in this awful desert!" -Miss Prudence exclaimed, feeling relieved at sight of the water. "Do you -suppose that is the only way the people have of getting water out here, -Florence?" - -"Probably so." - -"Well, I'd certainly hate to live here! Imagine having to drink that -water! And washing dishes and clothes in a thimbleful of water wouldn't -suit me at all, either. I have the whole Atlantic Ocean right at the edge -of my home in Massachusetts." - -Florence smiled at the contrast of life in the desert and on the -seacoast. - -After they had filled the radiator and their thermos jug with the -precious fluid, they drove off, the girls and Carlitos all calling a -smiling "_adios_" to the water carrier. - -A little later, at the old stone house on the edge of the village, they -were halted and their passports examined. As they were waiting for one of -the men to look over the papers Carlitos and Florence talked in Spanish -to the other man. Jo Ann half smiled to herself as she noticed Miss -Prudence's evident disapproval at seeing Carlitos's delight on finding -someone with whom to speak Spanish. - -Catching Jo Ann's expression, Miss Prudence remarked crisply, "I can't -get used to having a foreigner for a nephew. I have my doubts if he'll -ever get to be a genuine American." - -"I wish I knew Spanish as well as he does. I love the language--it's -beautiful," Jo Ann replied. "I'd be glad, if I were you, that he knows -it; maybe he'll soon be speaking English as easily as Spanish." - -"I hope so." - -As Jo Ann drove the car slowly through the narrow streets of the quaint -old village, the girls gazed interestedly at the adobe and stone houses -and the picturesque church with its bell tower. From behind half-closed -doors they caught glimpses of dark, eager faces peering at them. A moment -later the road sloped down an abrupt hill, and there was nothing to be -seen but the bleak expanse of desert. - -"There's a weird beauty about the desert," Peggy commented thoughtfully -to Florence as she gazed at the vast stretch of silvery grays and tawny -browns which were rolled out before them and silhouetted against the deep -blue of the sky. - -"I've decided there's no spot on earth where there isn't beauty of some -description. I agree with you that the desert has its share of -loveliness." - -"And it has its share of washes and gullies too," spoke up Miss Prudence -as the car suddenly dipped into a deep cut which jolted them vigorously -from side to side. - -About an hour later, Carlitos suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, look--the -mountains! See, over there!" - -The other four stared in the southwesterly direction in which he was -pointing, and soon all were able to distinguish the low irregular purple -line of mountains. - -"The sight of those mountains thrills me," declared Florence with a -joyous exultation that the other girls and Carlitos shared. "Just think! -Back of that line there's another higher range, then another." - -From then on they watched the mountains become more and more distinct, -the deep purple changing into a soft, mauve-tinted gray, while the -distant ranges gradually came into view, their lofty majestic peaks -cloud-wreathed. - -When at last they reached the main paved highway, Miss Prudence's -expression brightened. "Thank my stars we're on a good road at last!" - -"Oh boy! What a road!" cried Jo Ann as she turned into the smooth-paved -highway. - -The miles seemed to fly by, and almost before she realized it they had -reached the first mountain range and begun to climb the walled-in highway -which wound back and forth up the mountain side. - -So intent was Jo Ann upon keeping the car close to the cliffs, she could -catch only fleeting glimpses of the valley below and of the road beyond -as it threaded its way higher and higher. The other four, however, had -plenty of time to drink in the majestic beauty of the scenery. - -Several times Miss Prudence became alarmed over Jo Ann's ability to -manage Jitters and started to caution her, but each time Peggy broke in -with such warm praises of Jo Ann's driving that she subsided. "Jo never -lets her nerves run away with her," Peggy declared. "She always keeps her -head in emergencies, like the good scout that she is." - -"She may be able to keep her nerves from running away, but can she keep -this old Ford from running amuck?" Miss Prudence came back sharply. - -"Sure. Jitters is hitting on all four--humming along like a--well, maybe -not like a Cadillac, exactly, but at least like a much better car." - -In spite of Peggy's encouragement Miss Prudence did not cease to be -nervous till they reached a more level stretch. - -When at last they came in sight of the city, the girls' and Carlitos's -excitement reached the boiling point. - -"Now I can speak de Spanish in de city," exulted Carlitos, oblivious of -Miss Prudence's frown. - -"Oh, don't you hope the band plays tonight so we can promenade around the -Plaza?" exclaimed Peggy. "That's the most fun! The lovely music--those -beautiful dark-eyed señoritas--and, oh, those handsome men! Light of my -eyes! Pride of my heart!" Peggy placed her hand over her heart in a -ridiculously exaggerated gesture that sent Florence into peals of -laughter. - -Suddenly remembering that Peggy's exaggerated acting might have been -misunderstood by Miss Prudence, Florence hastily checked her mirth and -remarked, "Peggy doesn't mean anything by her raving. She's perfectly -harmless." - -On nearing the outskirts of the city Miss Prudence suggested to Florence -that, as she was familiar with the hotels, she choose the best one and -drive directly to it. "When I say choose the best one, I mean the most -modern one," she explained. - -"There's a beautiful new one just built recently that I know you'll -like," Florence replied, then added, "I'd better drive the rest of the -way, as I'm familiar with the city and the narrow one-way streets." - -Jo Ann stopped the car saying, "I'm glad to turn the wheel over to you. -I'd get all mixed up on the one-way streets and go in the wrong direction -every time, since all the signs are in Spanish." - -With eyes eager and shining, the four young people viewed the streets, -the shops and houses, and the crowds in the downtown section. - -When Florence stopped the car in front of the city's most modern hotel, -Miss Prudence went with Florence and Peggy to see about rooms while Jo -Ann stayed in the car with Carlitos. - -A smiling little black-eyed Mexican newsboy ran up to the car to try to -sell them a paper, and Carlitos promptly bought one; not that he wanted -to read it, but because he wanted to talk to a real Mexican boy once -more. He was still chatting with him in a lively flow of Spanish when -Miss Prudence came back. At first she frowned in disapproval, then began -to smile. "I might as well be resigned to having a little Mexican for a -nephew," she remarked to Jo Ann. "Carlitos loves Mexican people and their -language." - -"I do, too," Jo Ann replied. "Spanish is such a beautiful language, and -the people here--why, there aren't any friendlier, more smiling people -anywhere in the world." - -As soon as they had gone up to their cheerful, airy hotel rooms, bathed -and dressed, it was time for supper. At Florence's suggestion they went -to an old restaurant with a more distinctive Mexican atmosphere and -cookery than the hotel had. The girls, as well as Carlitos, thoroughly -enjoyed ordering from a menu card written in both Spanish and English. - -Miss Prudence smiled whimsically as she glanced at the card and remarked -to Florence and Carlitos, "You two may order your food in Spanish, but -not I." Her smile suddenly disappeared on noticing the high prices: -"Scrambled eggs--forty cents," she read. "Why, that's terrible!" - -"But that's in Mexican money," laughed Florence. "That's only about -thirteen cents in American." - -Miss Prudence nodded. "O-oh! I see. I'd forgotten about that." - -It was a delicious meal that the alert, polite waiter brought them, and -even Miss Prudence, who at first was dubious about Mexican cookery's -comparing favorably with New England's, praised it enthusiastically. - -Florence and Carlitos, though, enjoyed it most of all. - -"That _chocolaté_ is the best I've had since I left Mexico last fall," -Florence declared, while Carlitos was all smiles over the _frijoles_ and -_chile con carne_. - -When they left the restaurant, it was twilight, and they could hear the -band in the little park, or plaza, as it was called, playing an old -Mexican air. - -"Oh, let's go to the Plaza now and promenade!" exclaimed Peggy eagerly. -"I adore walking around and around the square with the crowds." - -"Yes, let's," agreed Florence. "You want to go, too, don't you, Jo Ann?" - -"Of course. I may let you girls do the strolling around while I sit on -one of the spectators' benches and----" - -"Pooh!" scoffed Peggy. "You're no Methuselah. You'll have to promenade -too. When you're in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do, my dear." Realizing -that Miss Prudence had not given her consent to their plan, she began -explaining how the Mexican girls walked slowly round and round the -square, while the boys walked equally as slowly on the inside in the -opposite direction, exchanging smiles and a few words now and then but -not stopping. "And chaperons! I never saw so many. You won't have seen -Mexico unless you see this scene." - -Miss Prudence smiled. "That being the case, I'll have to go with you." - -As soon as they had reached the Plaza, Miss Prudence and Carlitos found -seats, and the three girls joined the laughing, dark-eyed señoritas, -mingling with them and feeling a warm kinship--a oneness with them. - -Jo Ann, having been the one on the outside, found her attention centered -on the spectators sitting or standing near the curb rather than on the -boys on the inside of the Plaza. - -Just as she reached one of the corners, she caught a sudden glimpse of a -familiar face in the crowd in the background. Her heart leaped. There was -the mystery man! The very man to whom she had listened in the hotel in -Houston. Thank goodness, he hadn't lost his life! - -As she slowed her steps to look over her shoulder at him to assure -herself that she was not mistaken, Florence pulled her along saying, "No -fair stopping--you're blocking the line." - -"Yes, but I just saw the mystery man on that corner, and I----" - -"Jo! I declare you must have that man on your mind. You're probably -imagining that it's he. Someone resembling him, perhaps it was." - -"No--no! It was he. When we get back around to that corner I'll point him -out to you." - -"Who's that you're going to point out, Jo?" broke in Peggy. - -"The mystery man! I've just seen him. I wish you didn't have to keep -going in the same direction." - -Jo Ann could scarcely wait to get back to that corner. It seemed miles -around the square to her this time. When at last she reached the corner -again, she gazed eagerly about for the stalwart, keen-eyed stranger, but -he was not to be seen anywhere. - -"Oh, shoot! He's gone!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "And I wanted to tell -him about those smugglers we saw back there in the desert." - - - - - CHAPTER VII - "WE MUST GET AN EARLY START" - - -Peggy stretched her eyes wide. "Smugglers! You actually saw some -smugglers in the desert?" - -"Sh! Not so loud," Jo Ann warned, low-voiced. "We think they were -smugglers, but of course we can't be absolutely certain." - -"So that was what you and Florence were so excited about when you came -back to the car out there in the desert. Hurry up and tell me all about -it." - -"We can't--not here, with all these people around. Wait till we get to -the hotel; then we'll tell you everything, won't we, Florence?" - -Florence nodded assent. - -After a second time around the Plaza without seeing the mystery man, Jo -Ann was more disappointed than ever. - -When they reached the place where Miss Prudence and Carlitos were -sitting, Miss Prudence gestured to them to step from the line and come to -her side. "Girls," she began as soon as they walked over, "I think we'd -better leave now and go on back to the hotel. You know the trip tomorrow -up the mountains to the mine is bound to be a very hard one. We must get -an early start in the morning." - -On hearing these familiar words, "get an early start," the girls -exchanged swift glances but succeeded in keeping sober expressions on -their faces. - -Peggy protested lightly, "This music is so lovely, I hate to leave it." - -"You'll be able to hear it from your room at the hotel--it's so close -by," Miss Prudence replied. - -"Peggy likes to promenade as well as to hear the music," Florence put in, -teasing. - -"She'll have other opportunities to promenade, probably." - -"Yes," put in Florence. "The mine is not so far away but what we can come -back here at least a few times this summer." - -Miss Prudence rose from the bench and started toward the hotel, the girls -following, but not without several backward glances at the fascinating -Plaza and the gay young crowd. - -Peggy would not have followed as meekly if it had not been that she was -eager to hear Florence's and Jo Ann's tale about the smugglers. Jo Ann, -too, would not have been so willing to go if it had not been that the -mystery man had disappeared and she now felt that she would not get a -chance to tell him about the smugglers. - -When they reached the hotel, Florence, who was to be Miss Prudence's -roommate, went on with Jo Ann and Peggy to their room, explaining to Miss -Prudence that she would come to bed shortly. - -As soon as Peggy had closed the door of their room, she ordered, "Tell -that tale about the smugglers from beginning to end. I knew something -exciting had happened to you back there in the desert, and I don't know -why I forgot to ask about it sooner unless it was because I was so -interested in getting to the city." - -Jo Ann, with Florence's frequent promptings, quickly recounted the -details about the hidden car, its contents, and the men's angry -conversation. - -"Wh-ew, I'm glad I didn't go with you after the water," Peggy exclaimed -when they had finished. "I'd have been sure to have shrieked or squealed, -and they'd have discovered me. One thing I don't understand, though, is -what makes you so certain they were smugglers. The fact that they had -baskets and pottery in their car doesn't prove that they were trying to -take them across the border without paying duty, does it?" - -"No," Jo Ann replied. "Think what a good blind the pottery and baskets -would be! It would look as if the men were regular merchants buying -Mexican wares for the trade in the States, wouldn't it?" - -Peggy nodded. - -"Then think how easy it'd be to conceal dope or gold in the jars and -vases and baskets. It's dope or gold--or both--they're probably -smuggling. The chances are the packages the men complained about not -being weighed correctly held one or both of those articles." - -"That's so. Those are the things the coast guard said were smuggled most -frequently." - -"I'm not going to be satisfied till I see my mystery man again," Jo Ann -went on earnestly. "I could tell him the exact spot where we'd seen that -hidden car, and that might be the very bit of information he needs to be -able to catch the men." - -"I shouldn't be at all surprised if those men belong to the gang that -man's trying to break up. I wish, Jo, you could see that mystery man and -tell him all this, but in this big city"--Florence shook her head -dubiously--"your chances of seeing him again are small." - -Jo Ann's chin took on a determined little tilt. "I'm coming back here as -soon as I can and look for him. I believe this main plaza is a good place -to look for him, too. It's a sort of central meeting place for -everybody." - -Florence nodded. "That's true. Everybody naturally gravitates toward the -Plaza. It's the very heart of the city." - -Long after Florence had left to go to Miss Prudence's room and Peggy was -sound asleep, Jo Ann lay wide awake pondering over plans for getting back -to the city and for finding the mystery man. She had to leave early -tomorrow with the others, as all arrangements had been made for -Florence's father and Carlitos's uncle, Mr. Eldridge, to meet them at a -small village on the way to the mine. - -It was well that they did get an early start the next morning, as the -nearer they approached the high mountain range beyond the city, the -steeper and more dangerous the road became. - -"I think we'll have to leave our car at the village and go the rest of -the way to La Esperanza by oxcart or horses," said Peggy. "That's the way -Mr. Eldridge said they had to do last summer." She smiled over at Miss -Prudence. "Which will you choose, the oxcart or a horse?" - -"A horse every time," came back the quick reply. "I love to ride -horseback." - -"Grand!" approved Jo Ann. - -"I'll feel safer--more comfortable, too--on a good horse than in this -car." Miss Prudence added whimsically, "I beg your pardon for knocking -Jitters that way." - -Jo Ann smiled broadly. Miss Prudence was a good scout after all. She -could ride horseback and condescended now and then to a bit of slang, -such as the word "knocking" just then. - -When they neared San Geronimo where they were to meet Dr. Blackwell and -Mr. Eldridge, the faces of all five began to glow with anticipation. -Florence could hardly wait to see her father, and Carlitos his uncle Mr. -Eldridge, who was Miss Prudence's only brother. - -As soon as she caught sight of the flat-roofed adobe houses of the -village Florence began exulting, "I'll soon see Dad now! He'll be waiting -at old Pedro's store." - -"We'll hate to give you up," put in Peggy. "We'll miss you so much!" - -"It won't be long till I'll be coming over to see you, and then you can -come over and visit with me and see our city again." - -"So we'll end up in spending the summer together after all," laughed Jo -Ann. - -Florence nodded so emphatically that Peggy's face brightened again. - -In a few more minutes Florence stopped the car in front of the little -store, then leaped out and into the arms of a tall, distinguished, -gray-haired man, crying, "Daddy! Oh, Daddy! I'm so glad to see you." - -Just then a tall thin man and a small black-eyed Mexican boy rode up on -horses and leaped off. - -At sight of them Carlitos shouted joyfully, "My uncle and Pepito! My -Pepito!" He sprang out of the car, ran over and greeted his uncle -hastily, then flew over to the grinning little Mexican and threw his arms -affectionately about him. - -"Who is that child?" Miss Prudence demanded of Jo Ann after they had all -exchanged greetings with Mr. Eldridge. - -"That's Pepito, his foster brother--the son of the nurse who took care of -Carlitos so many years. They love each other like real brothers." - -"We-ell, I suppose they should feel that way," Miss Prudence said slowly. -"After all, all the peoples of the earth are 'of one blood'--so the Good -Book says." - -"We believe that in theory but don't always practice it, as Carlitos and -Pepito do," put in Mr. Eldridge, secretly amused at his sister's inward -struggle to accept this relationship between her nephew and the little -Mexican. - -"Where're the horses we're to ride?" Peggy asked curiously after looking -about on all sides. "Or are we going to ride in that oxcart over there?" - -"No, that won't be necessary. I left the horses on up the road about -twelve miles," Mr. Eldridge answered. "I've had the road repaired so you -can drive the car to the foot of the mountain." - -"Why, that's grand!" exclaimed both girls together. "Not that we don't -like to ride horseback," added Jo Ann, "but we can travel so much faster -in Jitters." - -After many words of farewell Florence and her father drove off down the -highway which led to the town farther into the interior where they lived. - -In a few more minutes, Jo Ann was steering Jitters out of the village and -into the road which led to the mine. She had only two other passengers -now, as Carlitos insisted on riding on the horse with Pepito. - -Just as she was about to pass a little shack on the outskirts of the -village, she caught sight of an empty old Ford parked under a mesquite -tree just off the road. She stared at it incredulously, then cried out a -sharp, "Oh, there's that same car we----" She checked her words suddenly, -swerving the car dangerously near an irrigation ditch at the side of the -road. - -"Mercy!" gasped Miss Prudence from the back seat. "What are you trying to -do--turn us over?" - -Jo Ann's face flamed with excitement and embarrassment. - -"No'm," she said meekly as she drove on slowly. "I--I--really--I -don't--see why I did such a silly trick." - -Under cover of the car's noise, a little later, Peggy asked curiously, -"What on earth made you so excited over seeing that old car?" - -Jo Ann's voice was barely audible as she replied, "Because it was the car -Florence and I saw hidden up in that gully in the desert. Smugglers." - -"O-oh! Are you absolutely sure?" - -Jo Ann nodded. "It had the same license number, and the radiator was -bumped in exactly the same places." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - AT THE MINE - - -When they neared the foot of the lofty mountains and the end of the -automobile road, Jo Ann parked the car in front of a small thatched adobe -house. "This is the jumping-off place," she smiled. "Here's where we -leave Jitters and get our horses." - -Miss Prudence eyed the house curiously. "This must be where Ed told me we -were to change into our riding clothes. He said for us to be ready by the -time he and the boys got here. I don't fancy going into a strange house -in a strange----" She stopped abruptly as a fat, smiling-faced Mexican -woman appeared at the open door and began beaming her welcome and -punctuating her Spanish with gestures for them to come inside. - -Summoning her limited Spanish, Jo Ann replied with a "_Gracias_," then -turned and translated the woman's welcoming words to Miss Prudence. - -After a moment's hesitation Miss Prudence followed the girls into the -house. Her keen eyes quickly took in the room, which had a neat, -well-kept appearance in spite of its dirt floor and primitive furniture. - -The woman disappeared into the other room, evidently the kitchen, as they -could hear her rattling dishes and beating vigorously with some utensil. - -"I hope she's making us some _chocolaté_," Jo Ann whispered to Peggy as -they slipped into their khaki riding trousers. - -"I hope so too. I'm hungry as a bear. Mountain air always gives me a -ravenous appetite." - -"Here, too. I could wrap myself around a substantial meal right now, and -it'll probably be two hours yet till we reach the mine--and supper." - -As Jo Ann's thoughts turned on the distance to the mine, she wondered how -she would be able to get back to the city and find the mystery man. Now -that she had seen the car of those suspected smugglers in the village so -close by, she felt it was more imperative than ever for her to tell the -mystery man about them and their whereabouts. "I've simply got to get in -touch with him some way," she told herself. - -So intent was she upon these thoughts that she did not heed Peggy's -nudging her till she squealed out, "Can't you put on your boots, Peg, -without poking me in the side?" - -"Oh, I most humbly beg your pardon," Peggy replied, her twinkling eyes -showing that her apology was anything but abject. - -Catching her gesture, a nod of the head in Miss Prudence's direction, Jo -Ann looked over at Miss Prudence. The next moment her eyes opened in -astonishment. That long, full, navy skirt Miss Prudence had on--how on -earth was she ever going to ride in that thing? That must be one of those -old-fashioned side-saddle riding skirts she'd heard her grandmother talk -about. It'd be absolutely dangerous to ride side saddle in this -mountainous country. She'd often heard how easily such a saddle was -tipped out of balance and the rider thrown off. The next moment she -relaxed as the thought occurred to her that there were no side saddles in -this part of the country. Perhaps she'd better tell her that. - -Somewhat embarrassed, Jo Ann stammered, "Er--Miss Prudence--er--they -don't have any--side saddles down here." - -Miss Prudence looked puzzled as she replied Yankee-fashion with a -question, "Well, who wants one?" Seeing the girls' eyes fastened on her -skirt, she smiled, "This isn't one of those old side-saddle riding -skirts. It's a divided skirt." There was a note of pride in her voice as -she added, "I was the first woman in my part of the country to begin -riding astride. I shocked the older people dreadfully." - -"I think you were a good sport, Miss Prudence, to start that style," -Peggy remarked. - -Miss Prudence received this praise with a pleased smile. - -Just then the Mexican woman entered with a tray of food which she set on -a little table near by. Gesturing and talking rapidly to Jo Ann, she -explained, "I think you have much hunger, and I make you some -_chocolaté_." - -Though Jo Ann's reply was made in broken Spanish, it was straight from -her heart. "_Gracias._ You are most kind. We have hunger after the long -ride. And _chocolaté_--I love it." She raised the cup to her lips and -drank a little of the rich, frothy liquid. "This is very delicious." - -Peggy and Miss Prudence nodded a smiling approval to the woman, and her -black eyes glowed with happiness at the praise, both spoken and unspoken. - -A few minutes after they had finished eating, Mr. Eldridge and the two -boys rode up. - -On going outside Jo Ann saw that there were three other horses saddled -and waiting for them. She noticed, too, that José, Pepito's father, was -standing near by, his arms caressingly about Carlitos, whom he loved -almost as dearly as he did his own son. Carlitos's face was aglow with -happiness at being reunited with his Mexican friends. - -After she and Peggy had mounted, they watched with curious eyes to see -how Miss Prudence manipulated that queer skirt. When they saw her -unbutton the front panel and fold it back and refasten it on another set -of buttons, they saw that it was a divided skirt after all. - -Peggy leaned over from her horse to murmur to Jo Ann, "It looks like a -pair of floppy-legged pajamas now." - -Jo Ann nodded, then added, grinning, "I prefer to sleep in pajamas and -ride in trousers. It's so much more modest." - -Peggy suppressed a giggle with difficulty at the thought of the proper -Miss Prudence's ever wearing anything but the most correct clothes. - -Notwithstanding the queer skirt, they found that Miss Prudence rode -unusually well, handling her horse with the ease of an experienced -horsewoman. - -Up the steep mountain trail they began climbing in single file, José in -the lead. The sheer precipice at the edge looked so dangerous to Jo Ann -that she tried to keep from looking over. One good thing, they had an -excellent guide in José. He had led her and Florence over worse places -than this. - -On nearing the mine a strange feeling of tenseness filled the girls and -Carlitos; and yet that was not surprising, as the mine had been the scene -of the most thrilling adventures they had ever experienced. It was here -that they had been rescued from the treacherous mine foreman who had -stolen the mine from Carlitos's father. - -On their arrival at the great stone house that this foreman had so -proudly built for his own use, they found José's wife, Maria, the nurse -who had reared Carlitos as one of her family. Though she was only a poor -ignorant woman of the peon class, the girls as well as Carlitos loved -her. - -"Maria has a heart of gold," Jo Ann told Miss Prudence as they watched -her enfold Carlitos in her arms and kiss him on each cheek. "She loves -him as she does her own Pepito and her girls." - -A few minutes later Maria proudly showed Carlitos to his room, into which -she had put the best of everything, then took Miss Prudence and the girls -to adjoining rooms, which looked bare and forbidding with their concrete -floors, scant furniture, and curtainless, iron-barred windows. - -"Looks like a soldiers' barracks," Miss Prudence said crisply after a -swift glance about. - -Jo Ann laughed, then said, "You should have seen this house as it was the -first time I saw it. There was a grand piano in every room with a game -rooster tied to one of the piano legs." - -Miss Prudence gasped. "A rooster in every room! Heavens! You mean to say -this whole house was a chicken coop?" - -"Not exactly. It was just that Mexican foreman's idea of the luxurious -life. He loved music and cock fighting, so he wanted the pianos and -roosters handy." - -"Heavens!" gasped Miss Prudence again. "Why, I must fumigate this whole -house, clean it with Old Dutch Cleanser, Lysol----" - -"Oh, Maria cleaned it long ago--thoroughly," broke in Jo Ann quickly, -seeing that the anxious-eyed Maria was watching Miss Prudence's frown of -evident disapproval and was worried. She turned now to Maria and said in -Spanish, "The house is very clean. You have worked hard." - -Maria's grave eyes brightened. "Yes, the little girls and I work hard." -She gestured to the window and the corners of the room. "See, I clean it -good like Carlitos's mamá show me." - -Though Miss Prudence had caught from these gestures that Maria was -showing how thoroughly she had cleaned the house, she was far from being -convinced that it was fit for human habitation. Again she broke into a -list of the different kinds of cleansing materials and things that she -would need. - -"We'll have to go to the city to get all those things," put in Peggy. -"They won't have them in the little store in the village." - -Jo Ann's eyes suddenly began to shine. Here was her chance to get back to -the city to find the mystery man. She could stop in the village and find -out what those smugglers were doing there. Maybe they were buying baskets -and pottery from the villagers. She'd soon find out now. - -The first moment she and Peggy were alone she told her of her plans. - -Peggy laughed. "I knew that's what you were planning. You can't resist a -mystery, can you?" - -"And you're almost as eager as I am to have a finger in my mystery pie. -You know you're crazy to go to the city with me." - -"Of course I am." - - - - - CHAPTER IX - MISS PRUDENCE'S CLEANING SPREE - - -Before dropping to sleep that night Jo Ann decided that as soon as she -got up in the morning she would urge Miss Prudence to let her and Peggy -go to the city. "I'll tell her what this house needs worse than another -cleaning is some pretty cretonne for curtains and pillows, and some of -the lovely Mexican pottery and bright-colored blankets. I could stop at -the village and buy the pottery and blankets. There were some pieces of -pottery outside that shack near where the smugglers' car was parked. -That'd give me a grand chance to find out from the family in the shack -about the smugglers. Then I'd have more to tell the mystery man--if I can -find him. Finding him--that'll be the hard part." - -Still visioning ways and plans for this trip to the city, she finally -drifted off to sleep. - -She was roused early the next morning by a cold hand upon her bare -shoulder. Horrors! One of those smugglers had grabbed her--she'd jerk -away from him! She sprang out of bed with a leap that sent her into the -middle of the room, then stood staring dazedly at an amazed Miss -Prudence. - -"Why, I didn't mean to frighten you, Jo Ann," she said apologetically. "I -just meant to wake you early so----" - -"O-oh, it's just you!" gasped Jo Ann, feeling very foolish at seeing it -was only Miss Prudence. "I must've been dreaming. I thought one of -those----" She stopped abruptly. She must not say a word about having -seen those smugglers. No use to get Miss Prudence stirred up and excited -over them. - -"I'm sorry I scared you," Miss Prudence began again, "but I thought we -ought to get an early start to----" - -"But we're at the end of our journey," broke in Peggy, who was sitting up -in bed now, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "We don't have any place to start -early to." - -"What I began to say was that we ought to get an early start at giving -this house a thorough cleaning," Miss Prudence went on, undisturbed by -Peggy's interruption. - -"The house looks clean to me--very clean," Jo Ann remarked. - -"Maria may have gone through the motions of cleaning, but"--Miss Prudence -raised her eyebrows skeptically--"a peon housekeeper's ideas of cleaning -and an American's are two different things." - -"Don't you want us to go to the city to get some--some fumigating -stuff--formaldehyde, isn't that what you call it?" Jo Ann asked eagerly. - -"No, I've decided it isn't necessary to have the place fumigated. I've -decided there's enough laundry soap here to begin with. Ed says he's -ordered more, and a lot of supplies that should have come to the village -yesterday. He thinks they'll come today surely. I'll make plenty of -strong suds, and we can begin scrubbing this morning. When we get -through, this place'll be as bright as a new penny." - -"It'll still be dreadfully bare, though," Jo Ann remarked tentatively. -"As you said last night, it looks as bare as a barracks. What it needs is -gay cretonne draperies and pillows, bright-colored blankets to throw over -the chests and couches, and some of the lovely Mexican _ollas_. As soon -as we get the house clean, let's go to the city to get the draperies. We -can probably find some pottery and blankets at the village." - -"Well, we'll think about that later." - -"The sooner we get this house fixed up, the longer we'll have to enjoy -it," spoke up Peggy, coming to Jo Ann's aid. She knew how Jo Ann's heart -was set on getting back to the city. "Let's try to have it all done by -the time Florence comes." - -"Well, we'll see." - -The girls had to content themselves with that vague promise. - -After Miss Prudence had left the room and the girls were dressing, Jo Ann -remarked, "I haven't given up hope yet of going to the city soon. I'm -going to try to persuade Miss Prudence to let us go to the village this -afternoon for the supplies that Mr. Eldridge is expecting." - -"I'll help persuade her." Peggy changed the subject abruptly by saying, -"I hate to have her hurt Maria's feelings by doing all this cleaning, -don't you?" - -Jo Ann nodded. "I'll try to smooth it over to Maria, but she'll never be -able to understand such extreme ideas about sanitation." - -As soon as they had finished eating breakfast, the girls entered -industriously into Miss Prudence's "cleaning spree," as Jo Ann called it. -While Peggy poured the soapy water over the concrete floors, Jo Ann -scrubbed vigorously enough to satisfy even Miss Prudence. - -"It's really fun," Jo Ann declared as she swished the foamy suds about -with her broom. - -Miss Prudence, a towel over her head and her long skirts tucked up and -pinned in the back, bustled about superintending the girls, Maria and her -oldest daughters, and the two boys. - -Maria was horrified that Miss Prudence should set Carlitos, the chief -owner of the silver mine and the house, to doing such menial tasks as -carrying water from the stream back of the house. Miss Prudence, however, -believed with St. Paul that he who would not work should not eat and soon -had everybody in the household stepping lively. - -"I wish that soap and other supplies'd come today," she said, frowning as -she took out the last bar of soap. "The supplies are very low. I can't -plan a decent meal in this house without those things." - -"Peggy and I'll go to the village for them this afternoon," Jo Ann -offered eagerly. "We can drive the car and make better time than José can -in the oxcart." - -Miss Prudence hesitated a moment, then replied, "Well, if José can go -with you, I believe you'd better go." - -"Fine! I'm sure Mr. Eldridge'll let José go. He sends him there -frequently for the mail--every other day, I believe." - -Jo Ann was right in this surmise. Mr. Eldridge promptly agreed to let -José accompany the girls to the village. "José can take two burros along -to carry the supplies," he added, "and he won't need the oxcart at all." - -So it was that shortly after lunch the two girls and José started on -horseback but changed into the automobile when they reached the foot of -the mountain. - -On reaching the village they drove straight to Pedro's store to see if -the supplies had come. On finding that they had arrived, José set to work -to load them into the car. While he was busy at that task, Jo Ann and -Peggy walked back to the adobe shack where Jo Ann had seen the smugglers' -car. - -To Jo Ann's relief, the battered old car was not in sight. - -"I'll have a far better chance to find out about the smugglers without -their being on the scene," she remarked to Peggy. - -As soon as they neared the shack, a thin, undernourished woman with a -black _rebosa_ about her shoulders and a baby in her arms appeared at the -door. Peeping from behind her skirts were several other small, half-clad, -hungry-looking children. As quickly as she could in her broken Spanish, -Jo Ann explained that she wanted to buy some of the pottery jars piled up -at the side of the house. - -The woman shook her head and replied, "I have much sorrow that I cannot -sell them to you. Two men in an automobile told me they take all my -_ollas_." - -"Was that their automobile I saw here near your house yesterday?" - -The woman nodded. - -"I must find out when they will be back," Jo Ann thought quickly. "Can -you not get more jars for these men by the time they come back, and sell -me some of these you have now?" she asked tentatively. - -"No, that is impossible. It takes much time to make the _ollas_, and the -men say they come back in three or four days." - -"Three or four days," Jo Ann thought. "I hope Florence comes on one of -those days, so we'll have an excuse to come down here to meet her." - -Peggy broke into her thoughts with, "Ask her the price of these jars. -They're lovely." She picked up two jars, each attractively decorated with -a design of cactus and Spanish dagger. - -Jo Ann relayed this question to the woman. "How much do you sell these -for?" - -The woman went on to tell the price of each--an absurdly small amount, -not a third as much as they were worth. - -"Is that what those men pay you for them?" Jo Ann asked incredulously. - -"_Sí._" The woman nodded. - -Jo Ann repeated the price to Peggy, adding, "Those men are robbers, as -well as----" - -She left her sentence unfinished and turned back to the woman, saying, -"They do not pay you enough. I will give you twice that much for these -two _ollas_." - -The woman's eyes opened wide. "Ah--that is good. I have much need of -money to buy food for my children." She hesitated a moment, then added, -"_Bien_, I will let you have these two. The men will be angry, but -then----" She shrugged her shoulders expressively. - -Jo Ann's mind was working rapidly. Perhaps she could help this poor woman -to market more of her pottery. Florence had a friend who purchased -Mexican curios for a firm in the States. She would tell Florence about -this woman's pottery. "I'll take these two _ollas_. Don't let those men -have all your pottery after this. I will sell it for you at this price." - -After Jo Ann had paid for the jars and had promised the woman again to -help sell more of the pottery for her, Peggy remarked as they were -starting away, "I'm glad you paid that woman more for the _ollas_, but -I'm afraid those men'll be furious when they find out you're buying her -pottery at double the price they pay. You're heading for trouble." - -Jo Ann's face grew grave. "I shouldn't be surprised, but I'm glad just -the same that I could help that family. Those poor little children look -half starved to me." - -"They surely do," Peggy agreed. - - - - - CHAPTER X - THE INDEFINITE MAÑANA - - -As soon as Jo Ann woke the third morning after their trip to the village, -she reminded Peggy that they must go back without fail today. "You know -Florence said she'd either be there by noon, or that there'd be a letter -telling exactly when to expect her. It all depended, she said, on which -day her father had to go to the city." - -Peggy half smiled. "That's not the only reason you want to go to the -village. You want to get another look at those smugglers and get some -information about them; now, don't you?" - -"Yes. I want to be able to give the straight facts to the mystery man--if -I ever see him again. I want to find out how often those men come to the -village--where they go on their trips farther into the interior--what it -is they're smuggling--exactly what route they take on their way back to -the border, and----" - -"What do you think you are--a glorified kind of Sherlock or a whole -detective agency?" - -"Neither. Only I think we've bumped into a fascinating mystery that's -daring us to solve it. I want to play safe, but if we can get any -information that'll aid in catching that band of smugglers and maybe help -keep the mystery man from losing his life, I certainly want to get it." - -"Well, don't get too venturesome. I've known you to get too enthusiastic -about your mystery-solving. One good thing, José will go with us to the -village. He'll be our bodyguard without knowing it." - -To the girls' relief Miss Prudence gave her permission for them to -accompany José to the village again. They were ready and waiting -impatiently for him several minutes before he appeared with the horses -and an extra pack burro. - -"I'm afraid those smugglers'll have come for the pottery and gone before -we get to the village, at this rate," Jo Ann fumed while she was waiting. - -Peggy grinned. "So much the better for us. I, for one, never want to see -them." - -"I've got to find out their plans some way or other." - -As before, they rode down the mountain, then left their horses and the -burro at the rough thatched shed where their car was stored. - -"Let's give this shed a name," Peggy suggested as they climbed into the -car. - -"All right," Jo Ann agreed. "How about calling it Jitters' House? That's -what it is now. It's the first time the garage was so far away that I had -to ride horseback to get to it." - -Peggy smiled. "Hereafter, then, this is Jitters' House." - -On nearing the Mexican woman's shack Jo Ann began looking eagerly to see -if the pottery were still piled up beside it. - -"Good!" she exclaimed. "The pottery's still there. That means the men -haven't----" She stopped in the middle of her sentence. José was -beginning to understand English much better now that he was staying at -Mr. Eldridge's home, and so might be able to get an inkling of what she -was talking about. - -As it was, Peggy understood, since Jo Ann had been worrying all the way -down the mountain lest the pottery and the men should be gone. - -Jo Ann drove straight to Pedro's store, the scheduled meeting place -again, as it had been the day they had all driven from the city. There -was no sign of Florence's small trim figure to be seen outside the store -or inside. - -"Maybe we're too early," Peggy suggested. - -"We have to wait for the mail, anyway--it hasn't come yet, Pedro said," -Jo Ann replied. "If there isn't a letter from her, we'll know she's -coming and will wait till she appears. This delay suits me to a T." - -"Don't I know it! You're just aching for those old smugglers to appear -while we're here. I hope they don't." - -Undisturbed, Jo Ann went on, "While we're waiting, let's you and me go -back to that shack and find out if any of the family knows exactly when -the men are coming after the pottery." - -"We-ell, I s'pose there couldn't be any danger about asking a few -questions." - -Peggy climbed back into the car with Jo Ann, leaving José squatting on -the sidewalk smoking his corn-shuck cigarette and chatting with a group -of his peon friends. - -When they stopped in front of the shack, they noticed a little dark-eyed -girl, the tallest of the stair-step children she had seen previously, -standing close to the piles of pottery. Jo Ann promptly leaped out of the -car and walked over and began admiring the pottery. - -"The _ollas_ are very beautiful," she said in her slow Spanish. "Did you -help to decorate them?" - -"_Sí_, I fix this one." She picked up a small, brightly colored jar. - -"It is lovely," admired Jo Ann. "You are very artistic." - -The girl's black eyes shone, and two dimples twinkled in her olive-tinted -cheeks at this praise. - -After she had looked at the pottery a few minutes longer, Jo Ann asked -haltingly, "Do you know when the men are coming for your _ollas_?" - -"_Sí_," the girl nodded, her long black braids swaying with the motion. -"They tell my papa they come _mañana_." - -"_Mañana_," Jo repeated to herself discouragedly. That was the most -indefinite word in the Spanish language. It might mean tomorrow, and it -might mean any time in months to come. "Do you mean Friday?" she asked. - -"_Sí_, Friday." - -"What time?" - -The girl shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe in the morning; maybe in the -afternoon--I do not know." - -"What time did they come last time they bought your pottery?" - -The child shook her head. "I do not remember." - -Just then the girl's mother appeared in the doorway and smiled broadly on -recognizing Jo Ann and Peggy. - -Jo Ann walked over to the door and, after exchanging greetings with her, -asked if she knew exactly when the men were coming after the pottery, -ending, "Maybe they will sell me some more of your beautiful _ollas_ when -they come." - -The woman answered with the same gesture as had her daughter--a shrug of -her shoulders and, "I do not know." - -"When do they usually come?" Jo Ann persisted. - -"Last time they come about this hour. They stop at Pedro's store first; -then they come here." - -Jo Ann's eyes brightened. At last she had secured a bit of information. - -As it turned out, this was the only piece forthcoming. Question after -question brought forth only the inevitable but expressive shrug of the -shoulders. - -Though she could see Jo Ann was discouraged, Peggy could not help smiling -and asking teasingly, "Have you learned yet what this means?" She raised -her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders in true Mexican style. - -"Silly!" Jo Ann exploded. The next moment she grinned and replied, "It -means anything and everything. I'm going to cultivate that gesture myself -and use it when anyone tries to quiz me." - -When they reached the store, the mail had arrived and in it a letter from -Florence. - -Jo Ann tore open the envelope quickly, glanced over the short note, and -handed it to Peggy, saying, "She'll be here tomorrow afternoon--and so'll -we be here." To herself she added that there might be two others who -probably would not be very comfortable persons to have near. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - THE SECRET OF THE OLLA - - -The girls had thought that as usual José would accompany them to the -village the next day. As it happened, however, there was some extra work -for him to do about the mine, and Mr. Eldridge decided to send Carlitos -and Pepito as escorts for them in place of José. "Each boy can ride a -horse, and then on the way back they can ride double, as they did the -first day, and let Florence have the extra horse," he said. - -"Fine!" Jo Ann exclaimed. - -Peggy was silent. The thought had darted into her mind that if those -smugglers should chance to be in the village at the same time that they -were, it would be more comfortable to have José along instead of the -boys. - -When they reached Jitters' House, the boys suddenly decided to stay there -and wait for the girls. "Pepito and I are going to build a dam in this -stream," Carlitos explained, gesturing toward the small stream near by. - -When a half hour later the girls passed the pottery woman's shack without -seeing any sign of the smugglers' car, Peggy breathed a little more -freely. "We'll probably leave before they get here," she thought. - -As if in answer to her thoughts, Jo Ann spoke up briskly, "I see where -we'll have to wait around the village till those men come. Since the -pottery's still there, I know they haven't come yet." - -"Oh, I wouldn't do that," Peggy answered quickly. "We might have to stay -so long it'd be dark before we'd get back to the mine." - -"Of course we can't wait that long. I'm in hopes they'll come soon, but I -want to see them if I possibly can." - -When they came in sight of Pedro's store, they saw Florence standing out -in front, looking up the narrow street. - -"Attaboy! There she is!" cried Jo Ann. - -"She sees us now!" Peggy waved both arms vigorously, a gesture that was -answered equally enthusiastically by Florence. - -As soon as the three girls had exchanged the warmest of greetings and -Florence and her baggage were settled in the car, Jo Ann broke into an -account of having seen the smugglers' car, and all the other details. - -Florence was indignant over the ridiculously low price the men were -paying the villagers for their pottery. "You're right, Jo. Those men are -thieves," she said. "They're making three or four hundred per cent profit -on the pottery, to say nothing of what they're getting out of their -smuggling. I believe I can pay that woman and the other villagers more -than you did for their _ollas_, and ship them to the States, and still -break even. When I see these poverty-stricken women with their big -families to feed and clothe, I feel I've got to help them every chance I -get." - -"I do, too," agreed Jo Ann. - -"And I," added Peggy. "But I don't want to get those smugglers angry at -us. They'll be furious when they find out you're planning to buy all the -pottery." - -Both Jo Ann and Florence were silent a moment; then Jo Ann remarked, -"Maybe we hadn't better buy all the pottery, because if we do, the men'll -stop coming here altogether, and I won't get a chance to find out more -about them to tell the mystery man. I want to help him--his life's at -stake." - -Florence nodded. "That's so." She turned to Peggy then with, "You're -right. We'd better buy only a few pieces of pottery." - -"Let's drive past the shack now and see if the smugglers' car is there," -Jo Ann suggested, starting the car even as she spoke. - -"That's all right with me if you'll keep on driving and not stop," Peggy -spoke up. - -Jo Ann drove very slowly past the pottery woman's house, but there was no -sign of any kind of car to be seen. As the pottery was still there, she -knew the men were yet to come. She drove on a short distance, then turned -into a rough road circling into the village. To Peggy's disapproval she -turned again a few minutes later into the side road leading past the -woman's house. - -Almost simultaneously Jo Ann and Florence caught sight of the old car -parked beside the house. "The smugglers' car!" they both gasped. - -"Turn as fast as you can and get away from here," ordered Peggy. - -Instead of obeying her command Jo Ann drew the car to the side of the -road and stopped. "You stay in the car, Peggy, while Florence and I see -if we can find out anything." - -"Oh, do be careful!" - -With Peggy's last words in their minds Jo Ann and Florence approached the -shack cautiously, coming up close to the back of the house, where they -halted. Though they could not see the smugglers and the woman except by -peeping around the corner of the shack, they could hear them talking. - -"They're trying to make her come down on the price, aren't they?" Jo Ann -whispered. - -"Yes; trying to force her down to a mere fraction of what the _ollas_ are -worth." An angry glint came into Florence's blue eyes. "I feel like -marching right out and telling her not to----" She stopped whispering to -listen to the woman's plaintive reply that she needed the money for food -for her children. - -Jo Ann caught the woman's words and their meaning. "Come on, let's see if -we can't persuade or bluff them into giving more money." - -Without hesitating, Florence stepped out, and together the two marched on -around to where the men and the woman were standing. - -At their approach the two swarthy-skinned men looked up in surprise. The -taller one, who was a little squint-eyed and had a scar on his chin, drew -his brows together into a deep frown as he peered from under his sombrero -at Jo Ann. - -Involuntarily Jo Ann caught her breath as the thought darted into her -mind that he looked as if he recognized her. "Perhaps he saw me there in -the gully," she thought. - -By that time Florence was talking to the woman in rapid Spanish, offering -to buy all her pottery at almost three times more than the men had -offered. - -The taller man whirled about to stare at Florence and to scowl more -fiercely than ever. "It is impossible for you to buy the _ollas_. She -promise us all--everything." - -Florence ignored this remark and asked the woman, "How much did they say -in the first place that they would pay you?" - -Between sobs the woman replied and added, "Now they say they will give me -only half of that." - -"Since they won't pay you what they had promised, then sell your pottery -to me." - -Both men broke into a torrent of protests, waving their arms and shaking -their heads violently. - -While they were absorbed in arguing with Florence, Jo Ann gradually edged -over and looked into the back of the car, the bottom of which was filled -with pottery packed in straw. After one hasty glance over her shoulder at -the men, she reached over and pulled out a large _olla_ from the middle. - -How heavy it was! She peered into it, then thrust her hand inside. There -was a package--a heavy one--at the bottom. - -Just then a furious voice rang out, "Put that _olla_ back in the car!" - -She wheeled about to see the shorter one of the men rushing angrily -toward her. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - HEADING FOR TROUBLE - - -In another moment the man had grabbed the _olla_ out of Jo Ann's hand and -had placed it back in its nest of straw in the car. "What are you doing?" -he demanded sharply, edging between her and the car. "Leave these alone!" - -Jo Ann detected a note of alarm in his voice. "He's afraid I've -discovered the contents of that _olla_," she thought. Determined to -conceal her nervousness, she replied in as cool and controlled a voice as -she could muster, "How much will you take for that _olla_?" - -The man shook his head. "No--no. It is not for sale." - -"I will give you fifty _centavos_ for it." - -"No--no. I cannot sell it." - -"Well, how about seventy-five _centavos_, then?" - -The merest shadow of a smile began to spread over the man's dark, -unshaven face. Perhaps here was a chance for him to make a few extra -_centavos_, and no one would be the wiser. He reached down in the car and -after rummaging about for a few moments drew up another _olla_ similar to -the one Jo Ann had picked up. "Here--I let you have it," he said, -offering it to her. - -Jo Ann shook her head. "No, that is not the one I want. It is this one." -She started to lean over the car, but the man stopped her. - -"No, this is the only one I have to sell," he insisted. "See, it is -beautiful! Seventy-five _centavos_ is very cheap. I do not make -anything." - -"Cheap!" Jo Ann flung back at him, her eyes blazing. In her anger she had -forgotten to be cautious. "I heard what you're paying for these _ollas_. -You are a thief. Pay them more money, or I'll buy them all myself." - -He scowled menacingly at her. "Ah, it was you who put evil things into -that woman's head--demanding more money! They are lucky to get that much. -Do not interfere with my business again. _Sabe?_" - -Before she could reply, the other man stepped up, an angry glint snapping -in his eyes along with that same half-puzzled expression, as if he were -still undecided about her identity. The two men exchanged a few whispered -sentences so rapidly that she could not make out a single word. Every now -and then they glanced in her direction. - -"They're furious at me," she thought. "I don't want them to stop coming -to the village. I'd better not say another word." She glanced over at -Florence, who was motioning to her to leave. "Florence has come to the -same conclusion. Time we're leaving this place." - -She walked over to Florence, and after both had bade the woman and her -children "_Adios_," they started off down the road toward their car. - -"Those men are watching us," Jo Ann remarked a few minutes later, after a -swift backward glance over her shoulder. "I don't want them to get so -angry that they'll stop coming to the village, do you?" - -"No. That's why I told the woman I could buy only a part of their -pottery." A satisfied smile passed over Florence's face. "I hope that'll -force those men to pay more. They're very anxious to keep on buying here, -because this village makes unusually good pottery." - -"Their designs are beautiful. I think they'll keep on coming here." Jo -Ann looked back over her shoulder again before adding, "They're still -watching us. Did you notice how that taller one kept staring at me?" - -Florence nodded. "It made me wonder if he'd seen you when you so -foolishly ran up the side of that gully." - -"But how was I going to be able to recognize them if I hadn't seen them?" - -When they reached their car, Peggy began hurling questions at them. - -"Florence'll tell you everything," Jo Ann said as she started the car -quickly and turned up the rough road toward the city, adding, "I'm -heading toward the city so those men won't know where we live." - -After she had gone a short distance, she wound back out of the village by -the rough back streets. When she finally cut back onto the main road, she -threw an anxious look back up the road toward the village. There was no -sign of a car to be seen. - -"We fooled them," she said, well pleased. - -"I believe we did," agreed Florence. "They probably think we live in the -city." - -When, two hours later, the girls and the two boys reached the mine, the -girls had completely recovered from their nervousness over their -encounter with the smugglers. - -Florence was enthusiastic over the attractive appearance and cleanliness -of the great stone house, which of course delighted Miss Prudence. - -"While you are here, Florence," she said, "we'll all have to make a trip -to the city to buy materials for draperies and couch and pillow covers to -brighten up this gloomy old house. It still reminds me of a barracks, -even if it is clean." - -"I think that'll be fine," approved Florence, exchanging pleased glances -with Jo Ann and Peggy. "We all love to go to the city." - -Of the three Jo Ann was the most delighted. She must get to the city and -find the mystery man, especially now that she had some more information -about the smugglers. "Can't we go tomorrow, Miss Prudence?" she asked -eagerly. - -Miss Prudence shook her head. "No. I want to finish all the cleaning -first." - -"But the house is spotless now," Jo Ann protested. - -"The kitchen is a downright disgrace. Why Maria insists on using that old -fireplace to cook on when she has this new range, I can't understand. It -makes such a mess. I told her I wanted that fireplace closed up. I want -some shelves put up, too. There isn't any place to store our supplies. -This kitchen wasn't built for convenience. It's big as all outdoors, but -there's no place to put anything." - -"Poor Maria!" thought Jo Ann. "She'll never understand Miss Prudence's -ideas of a modern kitchen. She feels that the kitchen is her domain and -won't like any interference. We'll have all we can do to keep peace in -the family." - -"We'll have to take Florence around the camp tomorrow and show her all -the improvements," Peggy spoke up. She turned to Florence. "Mr. -Eldridge's had all the miners' ugly little shacks replaced with stone -houses built of the natural stone from the quarry." - -"Yes, I noticed a few of them as we came up. I'm so glad. It worried me -to see the contrast between those horrible shacks and this great stone -house." - -"You'll be delighted to see the modern machinery they've put in the mine, -too," Jo Ann put in. "They use electricity now for a good deal of the -work, and that makes it lots easier on the miners--less dangerous, too. -Mr. Eldridge's promised to show us around tomorrow." - -"Fine." Florence's face was aglow on hearing of these improvements. She -was as happy as the other girls to hear how the drudgery and squalor had -been removed from the miners' lives since Mr. Eldridge had taken over the -management of the mining company of which Carlitos was the chief -stockholder. As all three girls owned stock in the company--a gift for -their share in recovering the mine for him--they felt a personal -responsibility for improving conditions. - -"Don't you want to go with us on our ride about the camp tomorrow?" Jo -Ann asked Miss Prudence. - -"Yes, I've been wanting to ever since I came, but I've been so busy, you -know. I'll get an early start at cleaning tomorrow morning, so I can go -with you." - -An amused expression slipped into each girl's face at the familiar words -"an early start." - -So it was that, immediately after the siesta hour, the girls and Miss -Prudence set out on horseback on a general inspection trip of the mining -camp. - -"We won't have time to go down into the mine this time," Miss Prudence -said as they rode off. "Ed says that he wants us to go all through it -soon, though." - -"We're very anxious to go down into the mine, aren't we, girls?" said Jo -Ann. - -"We surely are," both replied. - -With the greatest satisfaction Jo Ann and Peggy pointed out the rows of -neat, substantial limestone houses, each one very homelike with flowers -and vines. - -"The Mexicans love beauty," Florence remarked to Miss Prudence as they -passed a house one side of which was covered with a bougainvillea vine -aflame with pinkish purple flowers. The tiny yard was a riot of color, -too. - -"Yes, I've noticed that they are very fond of flowers," Miss Prudence -agreed. "Carlitos told me today that Maria had asked him if I'd brought -some flower seed with me--that she wanted to see if she could grow some -new kinds of flowers." - -Jo Ann, who had been listening to their conversation, now called out, -"That reminds me, let's dig up some ferns and cactus--that kind that has -bright red blossoms--this afternoon and plant them in our pottery jars. -And let's make a rock garden in the patio, too, and plant all the -different kinds of cacti we can find." - -"A grand idea," the girls agreed, and Miss Prudence nodded approvingly. - -As they approached the mine opening, Jo Ann proudly pointed out the -electric tram-cars which were used to carry the ore down the steep -incline, instead of the burros, as formerly. "The biggest improvement of -all, though, is the way they get the ore out of the mine. Mr. Eldridge -has promised to take us down there some time soon." - -After leaving the mine they rode a short distance on up the beautiful -winding mountain trail, then reluctantly turned at Miss Prudence's -suggestion and started homeward. Before leaving the trail, however, they -persuaded her to wait while they dismounted and dug up some cactus and -resurrection plants. - -"This cactus'll look lovely in that big jar with the cactus design on -it," Peggy explained to Miss Prudence. "And you'll love to watch these -resurrection plants. You can keep them out of water for months, till -they're dried, dead-looking balls, then put them into water, and they'll -unfold and become green and beautiful again." - -Once again, when they were crossing the crystal clear stream that ran -near the house, they begged Miss Prudence to halt. "Wait for us while we -dig up some of these exquisite wild maidenhair ferns," Jo Ann urged, an -appeal that the other two promptly echoed. - -"All right," Miss Prudence agreed, halting under the shade of a rocky -cliff over which trickled a tiny silver ribbon of water into a fern-edged -pool. - -Peggy began pulling up some of the ferns close by, but Jo Ann remarked, -"I can't bear to spoil the beauty of this pool by taking any more of -these ferns. Let's go up the stream a little farther, Florence." - -Jo Ann and Florence walked on along the stream in silent admiration and -soon disappeared around a great moss-covered boulder. - -Suddenly Florence caught sight of a short chunky figure of a man just -ahead. She gasped aloud. Simultaneously Jo Ann's lower jaw dropped, and -her eyes opened wide. The next instant the man clambered up the side of -the cliff and disappeared. - -"One of the smugglers!" whispered Jo Ann, finally recovering her speech. -"He was spying on us." - -"The one that grabbed the _olla_ from you," Florence breathed. "Let's -hurry back." - -The girls wheeled about and ran back down the stream. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - THE POTTERY WOMAN'S WARNING - - -On coming in sight of Miss Prudence and Peggy, the two girls checked -their steps. - -"Let's don't mention seeing that man before Miss Prudence," Jo Ann -warned. "No use alarming her." - -"All right," Florence agreed. "He didn't act as if he were dangerous, -anyway. He ran, too." - -"He didn't want us to see him--to recognize him. What's he doing here?" - -Florence shook her head, puzzled. "I can't imagine. The pottery woman -said they always went on to the city after getting the pottery." - -All at once it dawned upon Jo Ann that they had not got any ferns and -would soon be back at the pool empty-handed. "Miss Prudence'll wonder why -we didn't get some ferns," she said. "Let's stop this minute and pull up -some." - -"All right." - -In a few more minutes they had carefully pulled up some clumps of the -daintiest maidenhair specimens in sight and had wrapped elephant-ear -leaves about their roots to keep the leaf mold from falling off. - -When they neared the pool Peggy called out, "What'd you see to make you -come flying back so fast--a rattlesnake or a boa constrictor?" - -"Er--neither," Florence replied. - -To her and Jo Ann's relief Miss Prudence asked quickly, "Are there really -boa constrictors around here? Did you ever see one here?" - -"Not right here," Florence replied guardedly. - -"Close here?" - -"Well--fifty miles or so to the south." - -"Hop on your horses and let's go this minute." Miss Prudence tapped her -boot against her mount's flank and started riding down the path. - -In a few minutes the three girls were following. - -After Miss Prudence had gone out of hearing distance, Peggy rode over -close to Jo Ann and demanded, "What did you girls see to scare you that -way?" - -Jo Ann leaned over and whispered, "One of the smugglers!" - -Peggy gave a little sudden start that made her horse quiver responsively. -"Gol-ly!" she ejaculated. "What'd he come up here for?" - -"That's what Florence and I want to know." - -By the time the girls had reached the house, Miss Prudence had dismounted -and had gone inside. - -As they were walking along the corridor to their room Maria hurried out -of the kitchen, an excited gleam in her black eyes. - -After a swift glance around to assure herself that Miss Prudence was not -in sight she called to Florence in a low voice and motioned for all three -of them to come there. As they drew near she went on excitedly, "There is -a woman here from San Geronimo to see you. She say she has something to -tell the señoritas who bought her _ollas_ a few days back. It is very -important, she say." - -"A woman from San Geronimo to----" Florence checked her flow of Spanish -to relay the message in English to Peggy and Jo Ann. - -"She must think it's important to come 'way up here," Jo Ann murmured to -Florence as they followed Maria and Peggy into the kitchen. "Do you -suppose it could be something about those----" - -Before she could finish her sentence, they were inside the kitchen. There -sitting beside the door talking to José was the woman from whom Jo Ann -had bought the pottery. - -On seeing Jo and Florence the woman rose and hurried over to meet them. -With her words tumbling over each other in her excitement, she began -talking to Florence. So rapid was her Spanish that Jo Ann could catch -only a few words now and then. One thing she was sure of, however, was -that the woman was frightened. But why? She could stand the suspense no -longer and broke in, "What is it, Florence? What's the trouble?" - -Florence turned and explained quickly to her and Peggy, "She says she -heard the smugglers threaten to get even with you and me." - -Jo Ann's eyes flew open, but she repressed the frightened exclamation on -the tip of her tongue. - -"Her oldest girl overheard one of the men tell the other that they'd find -out at Pedro's store where we lived," Florence went on; "then that he'd -drive on with the load of pottery and let him wait around here for a -while." - -"So that's why that man's here--to get even with us!" Jo Ann exclaimed. -"That means we'll have to be extremely careful for a few days. Did she -say when the other man'd be back at the village?" - -"No, but I'll ask her." - -After questioning her closely Florence relayed her answers to the girls. -"She doesn't know. Says she thinks he'll come one day soon--maybe about -this time next week." - -"The vague _mañana_," Peggy summed up. "That means we'll be sitting on -top of a volcano for no telling how long." - -"I'm so thankful we know of the volcano's existence," Jo Ann replied. She -smiled over at the woman with a "_Muchas gracias_. You have been very -kind to walk all this way to tell us about the man." - -Florence, too, joined in thanking her, then began talking to the -anxious-faced Maria. She could see she was worried even more than they -themselves. "Don't worry, Maria. José won't let anything happen to us. -Will you, José?" - -"No, no, Miss Florencita. I will take care of you. But you and Miss Jo -and Miss Peggy must be very careful. Stay here at the house unless I am -with you. Shall I tell Mr. Eldridge about this?" - -"No--well, not yet, anyway." Jo Ann put in hastily. She must get the -information to the mystery man, and if she stayed a prisoner in this -house all the time, she couldn't get the chance. Mr. Eldridge might not -even want her and the girls and Miss Prudence to go to the city, if he -knew about this man's threat. - -"José, you haven't gone after the mail yet, have you?" Florence asked. - -José shook his head. "I am leaving soon." - -"Get a burro so this woman can ride home. She must be very tired. I'm -sure Mr. Eldridge will not object." - -"_Bien._ I get the burro." He gestured to the woman. "Come with me." - -"Wait just a minute, José," spoke up Jo Ann. "I want to give her -something for her children." - -She ran to her room and reappeared in a moment carrying a large box of -caramels. She handed them to the woman, saying, "Here are some _dulces_ -for your children. We will come back next week for some more _ollas_. You -will have some ready then?" - -The woman nodded. - -Both Maria and the girls felt relieved after the woman and José had gone -without Miss Prudence's seeing her. - -"I'd have had to tell Miss Prudence everything from A to Z about that -woman if she'd seen her," declared Jo Ann. She turned to Maria. "You must -not let Miss Prudence know anything about what this woman said. _Sabe_?" - -"No--I will not. I know nothing," Maria replied with emphasis, then -shrugging her shoulders added, "Miss Prudencia no speak the Spanish. I no -speak the English." - -"Even if they did speak the same language, Maria wouldn't confide in -her," Jo Ann thought. "They can't understand each other. Neither one -knows how good and kind the other is. Why is it that women living under -the same roof are so often antagonistic to each other?" - -Almost the same moment Miss Prudence entered the kitchen, gave Maria a -few orders, with Florence as interpreter, then added in a suspicious -tone, "I noticed a Mexican woman just leaving the house with a box in her -hands. What did Maria give her?" - -"Nothing," Florence replied quickly. "Jo Ann gave her a box of caramels -for her children. She's the woman Jo Ann bought the jars from. I'm going -to get some more from her and from the other villagers and ship them to -my friend in St. Louis, who has a curio shop." - -When Miss Prudence changed the subject to a discussion of the menu for -supper, all three girls were relieved. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - JO ANN'S SEARCH - - -It was not till after they had gone to bed that night that the girls had -an opportunity to talk over the woman's story and Jo Ann's and Florence's -discovery of the smuggler's presence. - -"I'm certainly glad you had my bed put in your room," Florence remarked, -reaching over across the narrow space that separated her bed from the -girls' double one and patting Jo Ann's hand. "I'd be scared to sleep in -one of these huge old rooms by myself--especially knowing about that -smuggler's being around here." - -"I'm as tall as he is, so I'm not scared of him," grinned Jo Ann. "If I -were as small and lilylike and fragile-looking as you, I might be -uneasy." - -"Stop teasing me that way," laughed Florence, "or I'll roll over between -you two for protection." - -Just as they were about to drop off to sleep, Jo Ann murmured drowsily, -"If Miss Prudence dares to come in and wake me up early in the morning -with 'we'll have to get an early start'--at something or other, I'm--I'm -going to----" She hesitated. - -"I'm going to what?" jibed Peggy. - -"I'm going to fire my pillow at her, then turn over and go back to -sleep." - -Peggy giggled. "Uh-huh! I see you firing a pillow at her." - -As it happened, Miss Prudence did enter their room early the next morning -to waken them, but instead of hurling a pillow Jo Ann listened gladly to -her plan for an "early start." - -"Going to the city--this morning?" she repeated, wide awake as soon as -the phrase "going to the city" had entered her brain. "That's fine! Sure -we'll be ready by the time you are." Seeing that Peggy was sufficiently -awake now to take in the plan for a trip to the city, she asked, "You'll -be ready, won't you, Peg?" - -"Yes, indeed. Reach over and wake Florence. Tweak her ear or her nose." - -Florence protested vigorously at this manner of being wakened but quickly -subsided when Jo Ann told her about the trip. - -An hour later they were dressed and mounted on their horses, as were -Carlitos and Miss Prudence. José tied the two bags to his saddle, which -were the only pieces of luggage they were taking, since they were to stay -only one night. - -"Remember, Carlitos," his uncle said smilingly on telling him good-bye, -"you'll be the man of the party after you reach Jitters' House. That's as -far as José'll go, you know." - -When they reached Jitters' House, José placed the bags in the car while -the girls and Miss Prudence changed from their riding clothes into -outfits more suitable for wear in the city. Miss Prudence was neatness -itself in her sheer black dress, while the three girls looked fresh and -lovely in their linen suits and crisp dainty blouses, topped off by pert -little hats. - -"I'm so glad the band will play on the Plaza tonight," Peggy remarked -after she had slipped into the front seat beside Jo Ann, who was at the -wheel. - -"I'm glad, too, but not for that reason," Jo Ann replied. "You want to -promenade, while I want to watch for----" She left her sentence -unfinished, but Peggy knew that it was the mystery man for whom she would -be looking. - -When they neared the shack where the pottery woman lived, Jo Ann looked -eagerly to see if there were any signs of the smugglers or their car. -"Nothing doing," she said finally. - -On nearing the city Florence took the wheel on account of her knowledge -of the city. After eating a late lunch, they started out on their -shopping tour to buy draperies and other materials. - -Everywhere she went, whether in the car or afoot, Jo Ann kept looking for -the mystery man. Every stalwart male of the mystery man's approximate -height whom she caught sight of she studied intently, hoping that it -would be he. She begrudged the time spent inside shops buying cretonnes -and draperies, as she felt she would never find him in such places. - -"Maybe he'll be on that same corner of the Plaza again," she comforted -herself later that evening after a fruitless search. - -As soon as the band began playing, all three girls made straight for the -Plaza and began promenading along with the gay groups of Mexican girls, -while Miss Prudence and Carlitos sat watching from a bench on the outside -of the square. - -As before, Jo Ann had eyes only for stalwart onlookers who might turn out -to be the mystery man. Peggy, however, kept on the inside of the line. - -When they had strolled about the square the second time, Peggy suddenly -uttered an exclamation of surprise, "There he is! There he is!" - -"Where? Where?" Jo Ann asked eagerly. - -"There--see? That tall, dark-haired, handsome boy with the big black -eyes!" - -"Oh, gosh!" Jo Ann ejaculated disgustedly when she realized Peggy had not -meant the mystery man but the tall youth with whom she had exchanged -smiles the other time she had promenaded. - -She was still more discouraged and disgusted after a whole evening of -strolling around the Plaza with no sign of the mystery man. - -"I'm afraid this trip's going to be a complete flop, after all," she -remarked to Peggy. "I might as well have gone to the hotel when Miss -Prudence and Carlitos did." - -"Miss Prudence was an angel to let us stay so long, wasn't she?" Peggy -smiled. - -Jo Ann nodded indifferently. Peggy might be thrilled over exchanging -smiles with a handsome Mexican boy, but not she. - -The next morning, as soon as they left the hotel to finish their -shopping, Jo Ann began to search for the mystery man again, but in vain. - -"The last thing we'll do is to go to the market," Miss Prudence announced -on leaving the department store a little later. - -"Let's go to the big market near the center of the city," Florence -suggested. "You can buy every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable -there." - -"The mystery man wouldn't be doing any marketing," Jo Ann thought -wearily. "It'll be no use to look for him there." - -All at once a sudden thought struck her. If he should have any inkling -about the smugglers hiding the dope or gold, or whatever stuff it was, in -jars and vases, he might stay around the pottery booths where the pottery -could be bought so cheaply. She brightened visibly at this idea. - -As soon as they reached the market, she left the others with Miss -Prudence in front of one of the vegetable stands and wandered back to -where she had remembered seeing the pottery booth. Eagerly her eyes roved -here, there, and all around the booths near by. That broad-shouldered man -standing----She caught her breath. It was the mystery man! - -"He's alive! He's alive!" rang through her mind; then the words, "Now's -my chance to talk to him." - -All at once it occurred to her that it would be an embarrassing situation -all around if Miss Prudence should appear while she was talking to this -stranger. "Before I say a word to him, I'll slip back to tell Florence to -keep Miss Prudence and Carlitos away from the pottery booth for a while," -she thought quickly. - -No sooner had this plan entered her mind than she hurried to Florence's -side, whispered a few words, and waited only long enough to catch her -emphatic "All right," then rushed back to the pottery booth as fast as -she could zigzag her way through the crowded passageways. - -When she caught sight of the stalwart figure again, she gave a sigh of -relief and hastened over toward him. - -As she drew near, the man shot a piercing glance at her, then a gleam of -unmistakable recognition shone in his keen gray eyes. - -"He hasn't forgotten me," she thought. "That makes it easier." - -She began speaking in a low voice: "You're trying to catch a band of -smugglers, aren't you?" - -The man gave an involuntary start but controlled his features. "What -makes you think that?" he countered. - -"From what I overheard you say in the hotel--I didn't mean to -eavesdrop--and from a bit of information I got from--" she started to say -"from a coast guard" but changed to--"from somebody else." - -"Was that somebody else a smuggler?" he asked in a carefully light tone. - -"No--no." There was a hint of impatience in Jo Ann's voice. He was trying -to throw her off the track. She'd go straight to the point now. "I've -accidentally run across some information about some smugglers that may -help you," she said. - -An alert expression replaced the half smile on the man's face as he -asked, "What is that you think you've discovered?" - -Quickly Jo Ann recounted her and Florence's discovery of the hidden car -with the pottery and the baskets near the border, the smugglers' -conversation, and their seeing them again at the village, ending with, -"I'm sure that must've been gold in that jar I lifted. It was so very -heavy." - -"It looks as if you've discovered one set of them," he said thoughtfully. -"They're only two of a large gang, though. The ringleaders stay on the -other side." - -"Was it the ringleaders you'd been pursuing in Texas?" she asked, -low-voiced. - -He nodded. "Dangerous men they are. If we can catch them we can break up -the gang. I'm going to keep an eye open for cars loaded with baskets and -pottery. If I can follow them to the border I may be able to catch the -leaders. Tell me exactly where you discovered that hidden car." - -Jo Ann went on to describe as accurately as possible the location of the -gully in which she and Florence had found the car. - -"Do you happen to know the license number of their car?" - -"Yes." As she gave the number, he jotted it down in a notebook. - -"Anything else about the car to distinguish it?" - -Jo Ann went on to tell of the battered places in the radiator. - -"And now give me a detailed description of the men." - -Racking her brain for every item that would be helpful, she described -their appearance and clothes, from the braided leather strips about their -sombreros to a peculiar squint in the left eye of the taller man. - -"Good. You're a close observer, I wish you could find out exactly when -they'll leave San Geronimo next week. If you could, I could wire my men -across the border. Maybe together we might round up the ringleaders. If I -don't get them soon, they'll----" - -He halted abruptly, but Jo Ann knew instinctively that he had been going -to add "get me." That was what he had said over the telephone in the -hotel. She must--must get him that information if possible. - -"I don't want to mix you girls up in this affair, and if you can't get -the information without endangering yourselves, don't do it." - -Jo Ann's eyes began to gleam determinedly. "I'll get it. As soon as we -find out exactly when the men're starting from the village, I'll get word -to you. If I can't come, I'll write you--but where?" - -The man took a card from his pocket and after writing on it handed it to -her, saying, "Write me in care of general delivery. I had decided to -leave in the morning, but now, since you've given me this very valuable -information, I'll wait till I hear from you. If you should come back to -the city, you'll find me somewhere around this pottery booth in the -daytime and near the Plaza at night." - -Jo Ann was about to ask some more questions when she caught a glimpse of -Miss Prudence and the girls coming down the crowded aisle. "I've got to -go this instant," she said and hurried around back of the booth, meeting -them in the main aisle. - -"I hadn't missed you till a moment ago," Miss Prudence remarked to her. -"What've you been buying?" - -"Nothing--yet. I want to get a pair of Mexican sandals to use for bedroom -slippers. Have you seen any here?" - -"Yes; they're at a booth on the extreme left," Florence put in quickly. -"I'll show you. Come on, Peg. We'll meet you and Carlitos at that first -fruit booth, Miss Prudence, in a few minutes." - - - - - CHAPTER XV - ANXIOUS MOMENTS - - -As soon as Miss Prudence and Carlitos were out of hearing distance, -Florence asked eagerly, "Did you get to talk to the man, Jo?" - -"Yes, and he was glad to get the information. He gave me his card. See? -His name's Mr. Andrews, and I'm to write to him here in care of general -delivery. I'll tell you all about it when we get back to the hotel." - -In spite of this promise Jo Ann did not get an opportunity to recount -this conversation till hours later. - -After purchasing the sandals with much bargaining in true Mexican style, -Jo Ann and the girls waited for some time at the fruit booth for Miss -Prudence and Carlitos. - -"I wonder what's happened to Miss Prudence and Carlitos to keep them so -long," Florence said finally. - -"I know Miss Prudence's not delayed by carrying on a conversation in -Spanish with anyone," smiled Peggy. "She's like me--about the only words -she knows are _cuanto_ and _adios_." - -"Perhaps she's bargaining by the gesture method," added Jo Ann. - -Several minutes later an anxious-faced Miss Prudence came hurrying up and -asked, "Where's Carlitos? Have you seen him?" - -"No," all three replied. - -"Well, he's disappeared--was right by my side one minute--then the next -he was gone. I've searched all around the market but can't find him." - -"You've just missed each other in the crowds," Florence replied -comfortingly. "You stay right here, and we three'll separate and go in -different directions and meet here again. We'll find him." - -Noticing an empty chair near by, Jo Ann moved the chair over to Miss -Prudence's side and said, "Sit here and rest. I'm sure we girls can find -him." - -Wearily Miss Prudence sank down in the chair, and the girls started off -to find Carlitos. Each took a different section of the building to search -and wound in and out the maze of crowded passageways that divided the -scores of booths. - -After Jo Ann had made the rounds of her allotted part twice without -seeing Carlitos, she started back to Miss Prudence, hoping that the other -girls had found him. Peggy arrived almost the same moment, but she, too, -was alone. - -The worried frown on Miss Prudence's face deepened on seeing they had not -found Carlitos. - -"Florence'll find him: she's more familiar with this building," Jo Ann -told her more confidently than she felt. Into her mind had darted the -recollection of the harrowing experience they had once had when Carlitos -had been kidnaped by the treacherous Mexican foreman. Just suppose he'd -been kidnaped again! That one of those smugglers had stolen him to get -even with her and Florence. That pottery woman had said they had -threatened to get even some way. - -Just as she had come to this painful point in her thoughts, Florence -appeared--alone. - -"No sign of him anywhere," she announced. "One man told me he'd seen a -boy of his description going out a side door." - -"Did he say this boy was alone?" Jo Ann asked anxiously. - -"He didn't say." Florence had caught Jo Ann's emphasis on the word alone, -and her heart began thumping rapidly. Did Jo Ann think someone might have -kidnaped him again? The smugglers! Could they---- "I'll go back and ask -that man if Carlitos was alone," she said. - -She hurried back to find the man and returned a few moments later, saying -in a disappointed voice, "He said he didn't notice whether he was alone -or not." - -"Maybe he got tired of waiting here and went back to the hotel," Jo Ann -suggested. - -"He might have," Miss Prudence replied. "Florence, tell the woman at this -booth"--she gestured to the booth just back of them--"that if she sees an -American boy looking for somebody to tell him we've gone to the hotel." - -After another round of searching they left the market and drove back to -the hotel. Florence parked the car near the side entrance, saying, "We'd -better leave the car here handy, as we'll be leaving as soon as we can -find Carlitos." - -They hurried into the hotel, looked about the lobby, and then went up to -their rooms. Carlitos was nowhere to be seen. - -"I declare, I'm getting more and more worried--and thoroughly -exasperated," Miss Prudence announced after looking in the last room. - -"Wait here, Miss Prudence, and I'll run down to the lobby and ask the -clerks at the desk if they've seen him," Jo Ann said hurriedly. "He -might've left some message there." - -"Well--I'll finish my packing while I'm waiting." - -"I'll go with you, Jo," offered Florence and Peggy together. - -On inquiring at the desk Jo Ann found that neither of the clerks had seen -him. - -As she was starting to turn away, one of the clerks summoned the porter -who stood at the front entrance and asked him if he had seen Carlitos. To -the girls' delight the porter nodded and replied that he thought he had -seen him talking to a newsboy about half an hour ago. - -The girls' faces brightened on hearing this, Jo Ann's especially, as she -immediately recalled how fascinated Carlitos had been with a Mexican -newsboy the first day they had arrived. After a quick "_Muchas gracias_" -to the porter, the girls hurried out to the street, Jo Ann in the lead. - -When they had walked only a short distance down the street, Jo Ann heard -a newsboy's shrill cry in broken English. "Carlitos's voice!" she -exclaimed. "I hear him!" - -She rushed around the corner and stared across the street. There, a bag -of newspapers slung across his shoulder, stood Carlitos selling a paper -to an American. - -"Can you beat that!" Peggy ejaculated, catching sight of Carlitos at the -same time. - -"Of all things!" Florence gasped. - -They hastened across the street to his side. He greeted them half -joyfully, half sheepishly; then, with a gesture to the grinning little -Mexican newsboy beside him, he said, "I sell lots of papers for Diego. He -say I very good 'cause I can speak de Spanish and de English." - -"You may be good at selling papers, Carlitos," Jo Ann answered, "but you -should've told your aunt Prudence where you were going. She's been -worried stiff about you." - -"Worried stiff--stiff," he repeated, puzzled. - -"Badly worried--_mucho_. She's been afraid something terrible had -happened to you. Come on to the hotel. We're leaving for the mine in a -few minutes." - -Reluctantly Carlitos parted with his newsboy friend. - -As soon as they had brought Carlitos to the hotel room and Miss Prudence -had delivered him a strong lecture, she urged them all to hurry and pack -their few belongings and leave at once. "You know it's a long hard trip -to the mine, and I certainly don't want to be riding horseback on that -steep, rocky mountain trail after dark." - -"We don't either," said Jo Ann quickly. "Florence and I had one -experience riding in the mountains in the dark and through a terrible -storm, too, and we don't want another, do we, Florence?" - -"No, indeed." - -After leaving the city Florence slipped over to let Jo Ann drive. "You're -a better chauffeur than I am and always make better time. We must get -back to the mine before dark, especially since we saw----" - -She left her sentence unfinished, but Jo Ann knew that she meant the -smuggler they had seen near the mine. - -When they finally reached Jitters' House in the late afternoon, they -found José waiting for them. - -"I wonder why he happened to come?" Peggy remarked curiously on seeing -him standing beside the shed. The next instant she realized that he must -be uneasy because of the pottery woman's account of the smugglers' -threats. "He's come as an extra protection for us," she thought. - -"It's good of him," Jo Ann put in, and Florence added, "He's always -thoughtful and kind." - -Carlitos was delighted to see him. Another male was a welcome change -after having to stay with women for two days. That was one reason he had -felt that he must slip off with the newsboy awhile, though he couldn't -have explained that in words. He was eager to tell José all about his -trip, too. - -Even Miss Prudence expressed appreciation of José's coming, adding, "He's -as thoughtful as he can be." - -Jo Ann was the first one of the group to finish changing into riding -clothes. She hurried back to the shed where José was still waiting, as -she was anxious to know how things had been running at the mine, and -especially if he had seen anything of the smuggler hanging around. She -had described the smuggler so carefully to him that he would be able to -recognize him. - -"Have you seen anything of that strange man while we've been gone?" she -asked him. - -To her relief José shook his head. "No." - -"Everything all right?" - -This time José shook his head more emphatically. "Ah--there was much -trouble at the mine today." With many excited gestures he went on to tell -her that one of the loaded tram-cars had got loose and had crashed down -the mountain side, tearing up the track and causing much trouble. "Very -much trouble," he repeated, shaking his head. - -"What caused the car to break loose?" - -José shrugged his shoulders expressively. "That I do not know. Me no -_sabe_. Señor Eldridge say he no understand." - -All at once the thought flashed into her mind that perhaps the smuggler -was at the bottom of this accident. Maybe that was his way of getting -even. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - DOWN THE MINE SHAFT - - -The next three days were busy ones for the girls. Miss Prudence had -bought scores of yards of gay-colored cretonnes and other materials, and -she now set all three to work making couch and pillow covers and -draperies. - -"I've got to have draperies to hide the iron bars at the bedroom -windows," she had said. "I don't like to see those iron bars. They make -me feel as if I'm in prison." - -When she escorted the girls to her bedroom and showed them the heaps of -materials, Jo Ann remarked with a whimsical smile, "I didn't realize what -I was getting us into when I suggested brightening up this house with -draperies and cushions. It looks as if we'll be running the sewing -machine instead of Jitters for the next week or two." - -Florence and Peggy both laughed. They knew Jo Ann did not like any task -that kept her in the house, and especially one of the sitting-still kind, -like sewing. - -"'Outdoor action and plenty of it,' is Jo Ann's slogan," Peggy explained -a moment later for Miss Prudence's benefit. "She says sitting still and -sewing make all her muscles feel cramped and her head ache and her mind -tired." - -"Well, it does," Jo Ann defended. "I feel as if I'm getting petrified. -I'd rather climb mountains any time." - -"I'll let you run the machine, then," Miss Prudence spoke up briskly. -"That'll keep your feet moving up and down as if you're climbing." - -"A poor substitute," Jo Ann returned, smiling. - -"Before you begin sewing, I'll give you an active job that'll bring into -use more of your muscles--measuring windows. Be sure to get the exact -length. Nothing looks worse than draperies that're too short." - -After Jo Ann had finished measuring windows, she set to work basting and -stitching the hems in the draperies. By this time her thoughts had -wandered from sewing to the mystery man and the smugglers. Was that -smuggler still lurking around the mine and had the other one reached the -border without being caught? And was the mystery man still safe and -sound? She must get word someway to him when the smugglers were to make -their next trip, so he could follow them. If only he could catch those -ringleaders and break up that gang! - -So engrossed was she in these thoughts that she did not heed Peggy's -sudden outburst of laughter several minutes later till Florence called -out a merry, "Jo! Will you look what you've done! You've hemmed all your -draperies upside down, so that the parrots or parrakeets--or whatever -kind of birds they are in the design--are all standing on their heads." - -"They'll look comical with their tails perpetually in the air," giggled -Peggy. "I'm getting dizzy already even at the thought of those poor birds -hanging head downward that way." - -"Oh dear!" groaned the discomfited Jo Ann on viewing her mistake. "Now -I've got to rip out every hem. Oh, woe is me!" - -"I'll help you," Florence offered, taking one of the draperies from her. - -"Next time concentrate on your sewing instead of on the mystery man and -those----" Peggy stopped talking abruptly on seeing Miss Prudence enter -the room. - -As soon as José came to the house that evening, Jo Ann slipped to the -kitchen to ask him if he had seen the smuggler hanging around the mine. - -At his reply that he had not, Jo Ann felt relieved till the next moment, -when he added, "We have much trouble at the mine today. No get out much -ore." He went on to explain that the tram-car wrecked the previous day -had torn up the track badly and that there had been trouble with some of -the mine machinery. - -"Have they found out who wrecked the car?" she asked. - -"No. One man told me he saw Luis, a bad workman _El Señor_ discharged -last week, near the track before the wreck." José shrugged his shoulders. -"I do not know who did it. Maybe it was Luis--maybe it was the strange -man you saw." - -"Why did Mr. Eldridge discharge this Luis?" - -"He steal ore." - -As Miss Prudence entered the kitchen just then and sat down, Jo Ann could -not question José further. She left the room wondering if after all she -had not been wrong in her surmise about the smuggler's having wrecked the -car. He might have become alarmed after she and Florence had seen him and -have left immediately. She certainly hoped that was the case. - -By the time the girls had finished sewing, Jo Ann was thoroughly weary of -staying in the house. "If I don't get outside for a long horseback ride -or a climb up the mountains today, I'll go raving crazy," she said. - -Peggy laughed at this exaggerated speech, and Florence remarked -smilingly, "Well, by all means let's get out and explore the country this -afternoon. I'm fed up with staying inside, too." - -"To tell you the truth," Peggy put in, "I've been rather glad to stay -inside. Ever since I heard about that smuggler's hanging around here, the -house looks good to me." - -"Oh, he's gone away by now, surely," Jo Ann answered. "José says no one -else has said a word about having seen a stranger around, and in a small -camp like this a stranger surely couldn't escape being noticed. I feel -sure he's gone back to join the other man. If that man returns for the -pottery the same time that he did last week, he'll be back at the village -Friday. I've got to get word to the mystery man what day they're starting -for the border." - -"The woman promised me to save some of the pottery for me, but I want to -select the best designs from the entire lot before she sells any of -them," Florence put in. - -"That means we'll have to go and get the pottery before those men come," -Jo Ann remarked. "That suits me to a T. You've already written to your -friend in St. Louis that you're sending the pottery in a few days, -haven't you?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, that settles it. We'll go to the village to get the pottery -Thursday morning and take it to the city and ship it from there. That'll -give me a fine chance to find out from the woman when the smugglers're -coming and to see the mystery man and tell him when to look out for -them." - -"I see where you're headed for more trouble," Peggy spoke up. "You'd -better keep your fingers out of this whole affair. You're too -adventuresome." - -Jo Ann half smiled. "Oh, skip it--the lecture, I mean. Let's get the -horses and go for a ride now." - -"There's one thing I'd like better than to go for a long ride, and that's -to go through the mine," Florence said. "Mr. Eldridge promised me he'd -take us through it while I'm here this time. When he comes in to lunch, -let's beg him to take us down into it this afternoon." - -"Fine!" approved Jo Ann. "I've been eager to see how the _malacate_ works -now that it's run by electricity." - -"What's a _malacate_, and what does it do?" Peggy asked curiously. - -"It's a windlass arrangement that draws the ore up out of the mine. A -rawhide bag is tied to the end of a long cable and let down into the -shaft. Using electricity is a vast improvement over the old way." - -"Did the peons have to work the windlass--wind it by hand?" Peggy asked, -puzzled. - -"No, burros were used for that purpose. But before they used a windlass, -back in primitive times, they made the Indians carry the ore up in bags, -and they had to climb all the way up out of the mine on dangerous notched -logs for ladders. Many and many of those Indians have fallen into the -deep shafts, to their death." - -There was silence for a moment; then Florence spoke up: "I have my doubts -if Mr. Eldridge'll take us into the mine in the daytime. The miners are -very superstitious about women going into the mine, he said. They think -every time a woman goes in, something terrible always happens--an awful -explosion or a cave-in, killing one or more of the miners." - -Jo Ann nodded understandingly. "That's so. I'd forgotten about that. -We'll ask him to take us tonight, then." - -As soon as Mr. Eldridge came in to lunch, all three girls greeted him -with requests to show them through the mine that night. - -"We-ell, I don't know quite what to say to that," he replied slowly. -"There've been two peculiar accidents lately that make me somewhat -reluctant to take you down into the mine. Those accidents haven't been -accounted for to my satisfaction yet." - -"But they were both outside the mine, weren't they?" asked Jo Ann. - -"Yes." - -"And two days have passed by without any more trouble," Florence added. - -Mr. Eldridge smiled. "Well, I might as well say you may go. When three -girls pounce upon one poor defenseless man, he has to agree to their -plans. There's no night shift working tonight, so this'll be a good time. -Be ready by eight o'clock." - -"All right," the girls chorused in reply. - -That afternoon the three, accompanied by Carlitos and Miss Prudence, took -a long horseback ride over a beautiful mountain trail. - -Miss Prudence refused, however, to go with them on their trip to inspect -the mine that night or to let Carlitos go. "Carlitos is tired and sleepy -from the long ride, and bed's the best place for him," she said. "I -should think you girls would've had enough exercise, too." - -By a quarter of eight the girls were ready and waiting. Knowing that the -mine was damp and cold, they had put on their sweaters and heaviest -oxfords, and Jo Ann and Peggy had prepared themselves for darkness as -well, as they had their flashlights. - -When Mr. Eldridge and they reached the shaft, he switched on the -electricity to work the _malacate_ so they could go down into the mine. - -No sooner had the machinery started running than the Mexican night -watchman came running to investigate, an alarmed expression on his face. -"Ah, it is you!" he exclaimed in a relieved tone on seeing Mr. Eldridge. - -Mr. Eldridge smiled. "You are a good watchman, Manuel. I am taking the -señoritas down to show them how we mine the ore. Do not tell anyone the -señoritas have been in the mine. _Sabe?_" - -"_Sí._ I _sabe_," Manuel replied quickly, knowing at once why _El Señor_ -had given this order. - -"Don't turn off the _malacate_. See that nobody comes near it. Stay close -by." - -Manuel nodded assent. "I stay here." - -"Manuel is the best watchman we've ever had," Mr. Eldridge told the -girls. "I can trust him not to go to sleep." - -When Jo Ann found herself in the rawhide bag tied at the end of the long -cable and being dropped down into the shaft's eerie darkness, she felt a -queer sinking sensation at the pit of her stomach, as if she were falling -through bottomless space. "It's breath-taking--scary," she thought. - -It was with a gasp of relief that she stepped out of the bag and onto the -rocky bottom of the shaft. She knew exactly how Peggy felt when she -scrambled out of the bag a little later and exclaimed, "Wh-ew! My heart's -up here!" She was clutching her throat dramatically. - -Together they waited for Florence's descent. By their flashlights' gleam -they could see that her eyes were dilated and her lips tightly closed. - -"It scared you speechless," grinned Peggy after waiting a moment for her -to speak. - -Florence nodded and managed a "Took my breath!" - -It seemed to all three that of all the cold, damp, terrifying places to -work, a silver mine was the worst. Mr. Eldridge led them through low -narrow tunnels and into several black, cavernous recesses opening from -these passageways and showed them the different mining processes. - -Peggy became decidedly nervous on learning that the ore was dynamited -down. "There might be some dynamite around here now, and it might explode -and blow us into smithereens," she whispered to Jo Ann. - -A few minutes later she bumped into something against the wall that made -her leap back in haste. When Mr. Eldridge told her it was a dynamite box, -her heart began leaping faster than ever. - -"He means an empty dynamite box," Jo Ann explained hastily as her -flashlight's beam showed her the ghastly pallor of Peggy's face. "Some -miners are using it as an altar," she added comfortingly. "See, there's a -picture of the Virgin inside." - -"I believe I'm ready to leave this murky gloom and get back up into the -good fresh air," Peggy said, her voice still shaky. - -"Well, I believe you've seen all the most interesting things." Mr. -Eldridge smiled. "We'll go on up." - -When they came back to the shaft, to Mr. Eldridge's amazement, the -_malacate_ was not working. "Now what's the matter!" he exclaimed, -annoyed. "I told Manuel to keep the _malacate_ running so we could get -back." - -For several minutes they stood waiting in vain for the cable and bag to -appear. - -Finally, in an exasperated tone Mr. Eldridge remarked, "Never had -anything like this happen before. Can't imagine what's the matter. -Manuel's always been so dependable. We may have to walk all that long -distance to the entrance of the workings. And you're all so tired -already." - -Just then there sounded an excited cry that reverberated uncannily -through the shaft. - -"Why, that's José's voice!" Jo Ann exclaimed. "What's----" - -The next instant the words, "Manuel's--killed!" echoed down to them. - -A moment's stunned silence fell; then Mr. Eldridge gasped, -"Manuel--killed! Start the _malacate_ at once, so we can get up there!" - -"No can--the wires all broke," came back the wailing answer. - -"Wires broken--and Manuel killed and----" Mr. Eldridge's voice trailed -off into silence. - -Jo Ann cut in, "José's so excitable! Manuel may have only fainted or been -shocked unconscious." - -"That's true. All the more reason I must get up there at once. It'll take -us so long to walk to the entrance." - -"Can't José attach burros to the _malacate_ and pull us up that way?" put -in Jo Ann. - -"Yes, he could. That'd take lots less time." Mr. Eldridge called -immediately to José to attach the burros to the _malacate_ and start it -working, ending with the usual, "_Sabe?_" - -"_Sí_," José called back. "I go now." - -While they were anxiously awaiting for José to start the _malacate_, Mr. -Eldridge remarked that he had better go up first to see about Manuel. "I -hate to go ahead of you, though." - -"Don't worry about us," Jo Ann said, more confidently than she felt. -"There's nothing here to harm us." - -"Nothing at all," agreed Florence in a voice that quivered -unconvincingly. - -Just then Peggy's hand clutched Jo Ann's convulsively. "Poor Peg's scared -stiff at the idea of his leaving us," thought Jo Ann as she grasped the -cold hand in a comforting pressure. Her mind, however, flew back to -Manuel. Surely he couldn't have been killed. He must've fainted. But he -was so strong-looking. What could have happened in that short time? If -only José would hurry faster and let down that cable. "Oh, surely Manuel -can't be dead!" she kept repeating to herself. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - IN THE DARKNESS - - -After what seemed to Jo Ann an interminable time the cable appeared, and -Mr. Eldridge was pulled up the shaft. - -"I feel better now that he's up safely," Jo Ann said, breathing more -freely. - -"I don't know which I dread worse--going up in that awful bag or staying -down here in this terrible dark," Peggy groaned. - -Noticing that Peggy's flashlight was not on, Florence asked, "Why don't -you switch on your flashlight? That'll help some." - -"It won't turn on. When I bumped against that dynamite box, I got so -scared I dropped it. It must've got broken then." - -So worried over Manuel was Jo Ann that she paid little heed to Peggy's -continued laments. If only this awful suspense about him was over! Surely -he must be only unconscious. If he were, when they got out they could -help give him first aid. She'd had first-aid training in her scout work. -"I wish I could go up first and see if I could do anything for him," she -told herself. - -Just then she heard Peggy say, "I believe I'll go up first. I can't stand -this creepy darkness. I keep thinking that smuggler's hidden down here -and----" - -"Peggy's so upset and nervous, she'd better go up first," Jo Ann admitted -to herself reluctantly. Aloud she said, "All right, Peg, you go next. See -what you can do to help Manuel." - -"But, Jo, Manuel's dead!" she wailed. - -Jo Ann shook her head as she answered, "I can't believe that he is." - -Shuddering, Peggy went on: "I'd planned to wait for you two before I took -a step when I got up. The lights are off up there. Whoever killed Manuel -must've cut off the lights." - -"Mr. Eldridge'll have some kind of a light, surely. If Manuel's -breathing--I can't help feeling that he is--do everything you can for -him." - -Soon the quivering Peggy was inside the bag and being slowly pulled up -the shaft. When, however, she had ascended only a short way, something -went wrong with the cable, and the bag hung suspended--motionless. - -Peggy's terrified shriek echoed and re-echoed through the shaft. - -"Horrors!" gasped Florence. "I hope the cable's not stuck. Sometimes -it'll get stuck that way for an hour or more." - -"You'll be all right in a minute," Jo Ann called up to Peggy. "Don't get -scared." In a low voice she added to Florence, "I hope I'm telling the -whole truth." - -To their vast relief, in a few minutes the bag began to move upward once -more. - -"Thank goodness!" Florence ejaculated. "Which one of us had better go up -next? I'd like to, but if you----" - -Jo Ann's impulse was to speak up, "Let me go," but, instead, she replied, -"You go on. I have a flashlight, and you haven't." - -Several minutes later, with mingled feelings of relief and fear, she -watched Florence being pulled up till she was above the reach of the -flashlight's beam. All was eerie blackness now. The shadows began to take -on weird ghostlike shapes. Was that a man crouching over there? The -smuggler? - -An involuntary shudder shivered through her body. She must not let her -imagination run riot this way. She steadied her lower lip to prevent its -trembling. - -At last the bag loomed into view, and after an anxious wait she got -inside it. Slowly--painfully slowly she began to ascend. - -When she was about halfway up, the cable suddenly spun around, knocking -the bag against the rocky side of the shaft. She felt a stinging -sensation in her right arm as it struck the rocks. Clutching her -flashlight more tightly and cringing with pain, she lifted her arm to -protect her light. It was too late. The flashlight had been broken--badly -smashed. - -In another moment she had forgotten about her injured arm and broken -flashlight in a more serious trouble. The bag was stuck--not moving -either up or down. She stifled a shriek that was threatening to escape -her lips. No wonder Peggy had cried out. And it was worse this time. -There was utter darkness below. No one to call up comfortingly from the -bottom of the shaft. No one at the top either. Both girls were probably -hovering over Manuel now, if he---- Had they found by now that he really -was dead? - -She must shut out that terrifying picture from her mind. It seemed, -though, to be outlined against the darkness in a glaring light that -refused to be blotted out. How long would she have to hang this way in -midair, seeing this horrible picture? - -"Better to hang suspended than to be dashed to the bottom on those -rocks," she told herself. "Peg was in the same plight, and now she's up -safely. But then she was stuck only two or three minutes, and you've been -here ten or fifteen at least," she reminded herself discouragedly. - -Endless ages dragged on, it seemed to her, as she hung there. Would this -suspense never end? Had anything happened to José? Had he been killed, -too? - -At last, when her hopes had almost ebbed away, she felt the bag moving -upward. Actually going up now. As she neared the top and drew in deep -breaths of the fresh air, a great wave of gratitude swept over her. - -Once safely out on the ground, she began feeling her way through the -darkness toward the light on her left. José hurried up just then with a -lantern in his hand. - -"Tell me about Manuel--he is not dead, is he?" she asked him quickly. - -"I think he is. He look dead when I see him," José answered brokenly. -"That wicked Luis--he knock him down. I catch Luis and tie him to a -tree." He gestured to the right. - -"Luis! That miner Mr. Eldridge discharged for stealing?" - -"Yes." - -"But why did he want to hurt Manuel? Manuel didn't discharge him." - -"Manuel tell him to keep away." José went on to explain that Luis had -thrown a crowbar back of the switchboard, so the _malacate_ would not -work, and that when Manuel had tried to grab him Luis had knocked him -down. There was a triumphant tone in his voice as he added, "I catch -Luis. I fix him." - -"How did it happen that you came up here? You didn't come with us." - -José hesitated a moment, then replied, "I saw you come up here, and I -think _El Señor_ need me. He tell me to take Luis down to the big house -now. I leave you now." - -On nearing the _malacate_ Jo Ann could see Manuel's inert figure lying on -the ground, Mr. Eldridge bending over him, and the girls standing near -by. - -"Is he----" Jo Ann left her question unfinished, but both girls knew what -she meant. - -"He's still alive," Florence whispered. "Unconscious. I could feel his -pulse. His skin is a clammy cold. I wish I had some hot-water bottles to -put around him." - -"Thank goodness he's still alive!" Jo Ann exclaimed softly. - -"We've put our sweaters over him," Peggy added, gesturing to the sweaters -on Manuel's body. "I can't think of anything else to do." - -"We might heat some rocks or bricks and put around him," Jo Ann suggested -eagerly. - -"Good idea," approved Mr. Eldridge, who had overheard her. "I'll help -you. We must do something to help him, since it'll be hours before we can -get a doctor here." - -They hurried about gathering wood and soon built a small fire on some -flat stones. As soon as the stones were hot, they pushed them out of the -fire, then covered them with some old pieces of a torn blanket. - -"We must be absolutely certain these rocks'll not burn him," Jo Ann -cautioned. "Persons suffering from shock are more easily burned than -usual. My scout book said never to put anything hot next the patient till -it could be held against your face for a minute without feeling too hot." -She tested each stone before passing it on to Mr. Eldridge to place next -to the unconscious figure. - -After that was done, Jo Ann began rubbing his arms toward the body. - -"Why's she doing that?" queried Peggy in a low voice. - -"I think it's to restore the circulation." - -When Jo Ann was still rubbing his arms, Manuel's eyelids began to -flicker. - -"He's beginning to become conscious," Mr. Eldridge said, low-voiced. "As -soon as José comes back he and I'll carry him down to the house. There -isn't any serious bleeding, so I feel sure it'll be safe to carry him -now. We'll have to make a stretcher." - -No sooner had he finished speaking than Jo Ann dashed away, returning -shortly with two poles. Mr. Eldridge immediately jerked off his coat and -pulled the poles through the sleeves, then tied a piece of blanket -securely to the poles also. By that time José was back from taking Luis -to the house. With Mr. Eldridge's help José tenderly lifted the injured -man upon the improvised stretcher and set off down the trail, careful to -hold the poles as steady as possible. - -The girls followed close behind, Jo Ann bringing up the rear. - -"Do you know where José took the prisoner?" Peggy asked Jo Ann. - -"Yes. To our house." - -"Gracious! That's awful. I'll never be able to sleep a wink tonight, -knowing he's in the same house that we are." - -"It's the safest place to keep him in the camp. The walls are as thick as -a regular prison's, and there're iron bars to all the windows. Besides, -José'll guard him." - -"It makes me shivery all over to know he's under our roof." - -"I don't believe even a Houdini could escape from that house," Jo Ann -assured her. "You'll be safe. Don't worry." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - JO ANN FINDS A WAY - - -Although Peggy had vowed she would never be able to close her eyes all -night with that prisoner in the house, she was so tired that she was not -long in dropping off to sleep. Exhausted by their exciting experiences, -all three slept till late the next morning. - -"For a welcome change," as Florence expressed it afterwards, Miss -Prudence had not wanted to get an early start to go somewhere or to do -some housework, and so had allowed them to drowse on undisturbed. - -The first thing Jo Ann saw on waking was the smiling Maria carrying in a -tray of food. - -As Maria set the tray on the small table between the beds, she remarked, -"Miss Prudencia say you may have your breakfast in bed. You were so -brave--so good to help Manuel last night." - -"_Muchas gracias_," replied Jo Ann, eying delightedly the golden toast, -oranges, crisp brown bacon, and cups of steaming chocolate. - -Peggy and Florence chimed in with their thanks; then Peggy put in -quickly, "Florence, ask her if the prisoner is still in the house." - -Florence promptly relayed this question. - -Maria nodded. "_Sí._ José watch good all night." She went on to add that -José had just come into the kitchen and had said he wanted to tell the -señoritas something about Luis. - -"Don't you know what it is?" Florence asked curiously. - -"No. Miss Prudencia send me out of the kitchen then, and José leave." - -"Is José going to the village to get the _rurales_ to come after Luis -this morning?" - -"_Sí._" - -"Tell him when he comes back that we want to go with him. Tell him to -have the horses ready for us." - -With a nod of assent Maria left the room. - -Jo Ann began eating an orange, a thoughtful expression in her dark brown -eyes. A moment later she remarked, "I shouldn't wonder if that Luis was -hired by the smuggler to do all the damage he could." - -"Why, what makes you think that?" asked Peggy in surprise. "You haven't -seen them together, have you?" - -"No." - -"And you've never seen that smuggler here again since that first time, -have you?" - -"No." - -"Then why this sudden idea?" - -"Because two men in the same small mining camp who have a grievance -against the mine owners would be likely to get together. They'd have a -common interest--to get even." - -Peggy smiled. "Oh, you Miss Sherlock!" - -"Your mentioning the smuggler reminds me that the pottery woman said -she'd have the pottery ready for us today," put in Florence. "I want you -girls to help me select the finest pieces as samples to send to my friend -in St. Louis for her curio shop. It'll be quite a job to get them packed -right. I was in hopes José would have time to help me pack them. His -having to get the officers this morning might interfere." - -"I don't think it will," Jo Ann replied. "Do you think you could get a -crate in the village and pack your pottery there?" - -"I doubt it. They've never shipped any pottery by train. I believe I'll -take the pottery to Jitters' House, and José can hunt up something around -there to make a crate out of." - -By the time the girls had finished eating and had dressed in riding -outfits, José was waiting for them with the horses. - -As soon as they came out, Florence asked José what it was that he had to -tell them about the prisoner, Luis. After he had explained in a rapid -flow of Spanish, Florence passed the news to the eager Jo Ann and Peggy. -"He said Luis had told him that some strange man had promised to give him -a few _pesos_ if he would wreck the mine machinery. He believes, judging -by Luis's description, that this stranger was one of the men the pottery -woman warned us about." - -"So I guessed right," Jo Ann spoke up. - -"It doesn't seem fair for Luis to get a prison sentence and for the -smuggler to go free," Peggy said, low-voiced, to Jo Ann. - -"Both of those smugglers're going to get caught yet--you'll see." Jo -Ann's head bobbed up and down emphatically. - -"Does that mean you're going to try to catch them?" Peggy asked, an -anxious note in her voice. - -"Wait and see," Jo Ann replied teasingly as she leaped on her horse. - -On reaching the village José went in search of the officers while the -girls drove to the pottery woman's shack to buy the _ollas_ and vases. - -With the greatest care Florence, with the girls' help, selected the most -artistic designs and shapes from the piles of pottery. "If my friend -likes these pieces as well's I do," she said, "I know she'll buy -regularly from these villagers and take a large per cent of their output. -They'll get ever so much more money, too, than they have been getting. -We'll be doing them a good turn, as well as my friend." - -At Jo Ann's urging Florence then began adroitly questioning the woman -about when she was expecting the men to come after the pottery this week. - -"They send me word they come in two days," she replied. - -"That'll be Friday, then," commented Jo Ann, who had caught the woman's -words. - -After they had finished choosing the pieces of pottery, they packed them -in the back of the car. - -"I'd like to know where José's going to sit now," observed Peggy as she -crowded into the front seat with Jo Ann and Florence. - -"He'll manage someway," Jo Ann smiled. - -On reaching Pedro's store they found José waiting for them. - -"Did you find the _rurales_?" Florence asked him. - -"_Sí_, I find two. They have gone to the mine to get Luis. They say they -do not need me to help." - -"Good," Florence approved. "Now you can help me pack these _ollas_ and -vases." - -After José had squeezed into the back seat and they were driving off, -Peggy remarked to Florence, "What puzzles me is how are you going to get -the pottery shipped after you get it packed? There's no railroad and no -truck service here. Someone'll have to take it to the city. How're you -going to get it to the city?" - -"I thought we'd drive in ourselves if--if----" - -"We can't let there be any ifs about it," broke in Jo Ann crisply. "We've -got to get to the city tomorrow. I've got to get word to the mystery man -to be on the lookout for the smugglers Friday." - -"Couldn't you write to him?" Peggy asked. - -"It wouldn't reach him in time. They take the mail in to the city every -other day. I asked at the store, and the mail's already been sent, and no -more'll be sent till Friday. That'd be too late." - -"But Miss Prudence'll probably say 'nothing doing' when we tell her we -want to drive to the city," persisted Peggy. "She said she didn't like -riding in Jitters well enough to take another trip to the city soon." - -"I heard her say yesterday that she had to have some more supplies--that -she just couldn't keep house without a larger variety of food," Florence -remarked. "She said we'd all be having scurvy and beri-beri and all sorts -of diseases if we didn't have a greater variety." - -Jo Ann smiled. "That sounds good to me--not the diseases, of course. -We'll tell her we'll bring her a load of good eats--fresh fruits and -vegetables and anything she asks for. I'm going to get word to the -mystery man--or bust." - -Both girls laughed, and Peggy added a moment later, "Puff out your cheeks -and prepare to bust, Jo, 'cause Miss Prudence won't let you go." - -"You underrate my persuasive powers, and you don't realize how tired she -is of preparing the same menus, day after day. I heard her say the other -day that about the only thing Pedro sold at his store was beans, beans, -beans." - -When they reached Jitters' House, José set to work at once to make a -crate. The girls wrapped each piece of pottery with the paper they had -brought for that purpose and carefully placed the smaller jars inside the -larger ones. When the crate was finished, they packed excelsior around -the jars and in every inch of space. That done, José carried the crate -over to the house across the road, for safe-keeping. - -With a wide smile Jo Ann remarked, "We'll have to get an early start -tomorrow morning to take our crate to the city. We'll have to promise to -make the trip there and back in one day, I know." - -When they were riding horseback on the mountain trail, they met the -_rurales_ taking their prisoner to the village. The girls urged their -horses close to the cliff to allow room for them to pass on the narrow -trail. - -After they had gone by, Jo Ann said gravely, "I hope it won't be long -till the smugglers are prison-bound, too. I believe this Luis was just -their tool." - -As soon as they had entered the house, the girls hunted up Miss Prudence, -and Jo Ann told of their plan to take the pottery to the city the next -day and get supplies for her. - -Miss Prudence pursed up her lips thoughtfully and remained silent for -some time before answering. - -Jo Ann, with her usual impatience, could not stand this quiet and -suspense and began talking about the necessity of a more varied diet. "We -need more fruit and vegetables to have a balanced diet, don't you think? -Our home economics teacher told us at school that it was absolutely -necessary for us to get plenty of fruit, as most of it has vitamin B. -It's that vitamin that makes our nerves normal and steady, she said." - -Miss Prudence's lips relaxed into a whimsical smile. "Well, we certainly -need our nerves steadied after last night's wild excitement." She grew -grave again. "I believe that Luis was trying to kill Ed and you girls." - -Jo Ann did not stop to argue this point but kept to the diet question. -"If you'll make a list of the things you want, we'll have them here for -you tomorrow evening." - -"Before dark?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I hesitate to give my consent. Maybe I'd better go with you--but, -no. I feel as if I ought to stay and nurse Manuel. Maria has no more idea -than a jay bird about how to take care of sick folks. Why, when I put -some rolls of bandage in the hot oven to sterilize this morning, she -looked at me as if she thought I was crazy!" - -In spite of her hesitation, Jo Ann finally succeeded in persuading her to -let them go to the city. - -"If you set the alarm clock for four-thirty and get up then, I believe -you can make the trip in one day," she said as the girls were about to -leave. "Take my clock to your room." She reached over to the near-by -table, picked up her alarm clock, and set it to go off at that hour -before handing it to Jo Ann. - -It was hard for Jo Ann to keep from laughing, as she could see Florence's -eyes twinkling, and Peggy holding her hand over her mouth to check her -mirth. - -At the first sound of the alarm the next morning, Jo Ann reached over and -turned it off, then popped out of bed and began dressing. Florence rose -almost as promptly, but it required much persuasion from both of them to -get Peggy out of bed. - -"I'm not keen on this trip anyway, since we won't get to stay in the city -tonight and promenade on the Plaza," she grumbled drowsily as she sat on -the edge of the bed, making no move to dress. "I'm not interested in -seeing an old mystery man, as Jo Ann is." - -"Only in handsome young Mexican ones," Jo Ann grinned. "Well, you may -pass your smiling young Mexican on the street today." - -"If I should, I'd look very romantic sitting in an old car packed with a -huge crate, now, wouldn't I? He'd think I was bringing chickens or -something to market." - -Both girls laughed at Peggy's disgusted tone. - -"That reminds me," Jo Ann added, "that we must go straight to the market -as soon as we reach the city." - -By the time they had dressed and had eaten a hurried breakfast, José was -waiting for them with the horses. To their surprise he rode on up the -trail with them. - -"I didn't know you were going with us," Florence remarked to him. - -"Miss Prudencia say I must take you to the village and go back for you -this afternoon." - -"That's good. It might be late this evening before we get back, but we're -counting on getting back before dark." - -As soon as they reached Jitters' House, they changed their clothes while -José was putting the pottery crate into their car. - -"Jitters is a picture now," Peggy remarked on coming out to the car. - -"You'll be sure to see your handsome young man today," teased Jo Ann. - -So interested were the girls in their plans for the day, as they drove -through the village, that Jo Ann for once forgot to look over at the -pottery woman's shack till after she had reached Pedro's store. "Did -either of you notice if the pottery was still piled up by the woman's -house?" she asked. - -Both shook their heads. - -"I'm sure it must be still there. The woman seemed to be certain that the -men weren't coming till tomorrow to get it. She said they'd sent her word -this time." - -As there was little travel on the road, Jo Ann was able to make good -time. As usual, she had planned to let Florence drive when they neared -the city. - -"At the rate you're speeding, Jo," Florence remarked finally, "we'll be -in town before we realize it." - -Jo Ann laughed. "Speeding in Jitters? Impossible. That old car in front -of us isn't built for speeding, either. It's been keeping ahead at about -the same distance for the last hour." - -"So I've noticed," said Peggy. "It must be of the same year's vintage as -Jitters." - -"If she is, Jitters can beat her. I'm going to step on it and see if I -can't gain on her." With that Jo Ann stepped on the gas, and soon their -car was lessening the distance between it and the car ahead. - -As they drew closer Jo Ann suddenly uttered an excited little cry. - -"What's the matter?" queried Florence and Peggy together. - -"That's the smugglers' car!" - -"You're crazy, Jo!" ejaculated Peggy derisively. - -"It can't be!" Florence cried. - -"But it is! I'm positive it is." - -"You're just guessing," retorted Peggy. "You can't tell from here." - -"I'm going to pass that car, and you look hard, Florence, and see if -those men aren't the smugglers and if it isn't piled full of pottery." - -"Oh, don't, Jo," begged Peggy, now beginning to be afraid that Jo Ann -might be right. "Don't try to pass it." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - AN EXCITING RACE - - -With a warning honk of her horn Jo Ann sped up and started to pass the -other car. - -Almost simultaneously one of the men turned and stared incredulously, -then shouted out a sharp order. The next instant the other man swerved -his car dangerously toward them, trying to force them off into a deep -ditch. - -"Oh, step on it!" cried Peggy. "Step on it!" - -"They're trying to hit us!" shrieked Florence. - -Somewhere from the back of Jo Ann's mind came the command, "Keep your -head!" - -Automatically her nerves and muscles obeyed. She turned her car sharply -and swiftly out toward the ditch as close as she dared, giving it all the -gas that it would take. - -For a perilous moment that seemed ages-long to the girls the car hovered -near the edge of the bank. Instinctively both Florence and Peggy leaned -to the other side of the car, as if to make their weight the deciding -factor in keeping the car from falling into the ditch. - -Then, to their unbounded relief, their car swept by, missing the other by -a few inches. - -"A miracle!" gasped Peggy. - -"Keep stepping on it!" implored Peggy as she turned to look back at the -smugglers' car. "They're coming full tilt after us." - -"O-oh, hear them yelling at us!" put in Florence, her eyes dilated with -fright. "They're trying to catch us. Step on it! Suppose they should -shoot at us--or our tires!" - -Though Jo Ann heard the girls' earnest pleas, she wasted no energy in -replying. Every cell in her brain must be centered on driving. That car -was still dangerously near. They might push past and try that same trick -of forcing her into the ditch on the other side. Moreover, the road ahead -was much steeper and narrower. It wound threadlike up the mountain side. -What if those smugglers should deliberately wait and force them off that -high road! To be knocked off that steep rocky cliff would mean death for -all of them. And what if her engine should go bad up there--or a tire -blow out! "Steady, Jo," she ordered herself. "Stop worrying and -concentrate on driving." - -"They're not gaining an inch," Florence called out encouragingly then. - -"But they're not losing any," added Peggy. - -When, in spite of her determination not to worry, she had to slow down at -turns in the winding road, she found her breath coming more and more -quickly. Perhaps the smugglers could make the turns faster. - -Again and again Florence encouraged her with, "They're not gaining." - -Finally, when they were nearing the highest stretch of all, Florence -exclaimed, "They're dropping behind a little now! See, Peg!" - -"Hot ziggity! They are, sure enough!" cried Peggy, vastly relieved. "I -believe the worst's over. But don't slow down, Jo." - -"I won't any more than I have to," Jo Ann replied, cheered immensely by -the girls' assurance that the smugglers were dropping behind in the race. - -"Good old Jo--and good old Jitters," praised Florence. "They can't be -beaten." - -"Don't brag too soon," Jo Ann found time to say in short, clipped -sentences. - -She was determined to keep Jitters running at the greatest speed -possible, and yet not be reckless in making the many sharp curves. With -mind and eyes ever alert, she watched the road. She must be ready for any -emergency. - -Florence and Peggy kept turning every minute or two to watch the pursuing -car. - -"It's losing ground right along," Peggy kept saying, ending each time -with, "isn't it, Florence?" - -Each time, to Jo Ann's joy, Florence would reply with an emphatic "Yes." - -Still Jo Ann held to the maximum speed possible for safety. "Nothing like -being on the safe side," she told herself. "They might gain on us on the -down grade." - -After they were on the downward stretch, both girls assured her that they -believed the danger was over. "They'll never catch us now unless we have -engine or tire trouble." - -A few minutes later, on glancing back, Peggy exclaimed triumphantly, -"They've about stopped! They've stopped now! On that highest curve. One -of them's getting out now. Maybe they have a flat." - -"Here's hoping they have two flats," smiled Florence. - -"Why not wish for three, for good measure?" added Jo Ann. - -"Say, aren't you thankful Miss Prudence isn't along?" Peggy asked -suddenly. - -Both girls smiled, and Peggy went on, "She'd have had heart failure or -something by this time." - -"No, she wouldn't," declared Jo Ann. "She'd have rallied to the cause and -encouraged me on, as you two did. When it comes to the test, she's strong -for action and plenty of it." - -A few minutes later Florence announced that it would not be long till -they would reach the city. "Do you think we'd better change, Jo, and let -me take the wheel?" - -Jo Ann shook her head. "I don't want to stop even long enough for that." - -"Oh, no, don't change," begged Peggy, immediately disturbed at the idea -of stopping. - -"I know the shortest way to the market now, and that's where we want to -go first," Jo Ann declared. "I've got to find the mystery man at once, so -he can get on the smugglers' trail." - -"It won't be easy for him to follow them even then," Peggy said -thoughtfully. "Can't they go around the city some way?" - -"No, that's the only road till they get to the edge of the city," replied -Florence. "They'll probably not come up into the main part." - -"I imagine the mystery man'll phone or telegraph to the officers on both -sides of the border to be on the lookout," put in Jo Ann. "They could -catch more of the gang that way." - -When Jo Ann turned into the street leading to the market, Florence -remarked, "It'll be no use trying to find a parking place in front of the -market. It's always full. You'll save time by parking in the first empty -place you find within a reasonable distance. I've wasted as much as half -an hour hunting for a parking place down here." - -"We mustn't waste any time anyway," Peggy put in. "We have lots of things -to buy for Miss Prudence, and I've a little shopping I want to do, too. -We can be doing our buying while Jo hunts up her mystery man." - -At quite a little distance from the market Jo Ann found a parking place. -No sooner had she stopped the car than she sprang out, saying, "I'll meet -you at that same booth in front, where we waited the other day." - -Off she rushed down the street, her fast-flying steps causing more than -one Mexican to say smilingly, "_Americana_." - -When Peggy tried to lock the car a few moments later, she found that she -couldn't. "Something's gone wrong with it," she said, handing the key to -Florence. "See if you can make it work." - -After several unsuccessful efforts Florence slipped the keys into her -purse, saying, "Oh, let's don't worry any more about trying to lock it. -We can get a boy to watch the car for us." Hardly had she finished -speaking than she caught a glimpse of the newsboy with whom Carlitos had -been so friendly. "Here's the very boy!" she exclaimed, gesturing to him -to come to her. - -The boy's large black eyes lit in swift recognition, and he ran over to -her side. - -Florence quickly explained to him that she wanted him to watch the car -while she went to the market. - -With a nod of assent the boy answered, smiling, "_Sí._ I watch good for -you. You are Carlitos's friend." - -"He'll watch it right; we won't have to worry," Florence said confidently -as she and Peggy walked on down to the market. - -Soon they were busily buying fruit and vegetables. - -In the meantime Jo Ann had elbowed her way through the crowded aisles of -the market to the pottery booth at the back. On reaching the booth she -stared around, anxious-eyed, hunting for the mystery man. Oh, where was -he? There wasn't a sign of him anywhere. He'd said he was always around -here at this time of day. What if he should've missed coming this day? - -She walked slowly back of the booth and on around to the front again, her -eyes scanning every man in sight. "He's not here," she told herself -finally, "and I don't know where else to go to look for him. Oh dear! The -smugglers'll get away again." - -Just as she had reached this discouraging conclusion a stalwart, -olive-skinned man with a dark mustache and black hat stepped up to her -side and said in a low tone, "Don't show your surprise--I'm the man -you're looking for." - -The mystery man! Jo Ann barely suppressed a gasp of amazement. Disguised -as a Mexican. The same aquiline nose and gray eyes, but how startlingly -different he looked. - -In almost an inaudible voice she told him as quickly as she could about -the smugglers being on the way to the city. - -The man's eyes shone on hearing this news. "Good work. We'll follow them -this time and try to get the ringleaders of the gang as well as those -two. I must get word to my men right away on both sides. You're still at -the La Esperanza Mine?" - -"Yes." - -"I'll let you know how I come out. Many thanks for your help." With that -the man rushed off toward a side exit. - -Feeling relieved and happy that she had succeeded in delivering this -message, Jo Ann walked on to the front to look for the girls and found -them, as she had thought she would, buying fruit and vegetables. - -Peggy was the first to spy her. "You don't have to tell us you've had -success, Jo," she said. "You're smiling from ear to ear." - -"I didn't mean to be that jubilant." - -"You have a right to be happy," Florence said warmly. "Peg and I are -glad, too, aren't we?" - -"Sure." - -While Peggy and Florence selected the fruit and vegetables, Jo Ann made -the other purchases, chiefly by means of the sign language, as her -Spanish was not sufficient for bargaining. As soon as they had all -finished their buying, Florence found two small Mexican boys to carry -their piles of packages to the car. With the boys at their heels they -started out to the street, Florence in the lead. - -Just as she stepped out on the street, Florence caught sight of the -newsboy, his face and head bleeding, almost surrounded by a crowd of -people. - -"Gracious! What can have happened to the poor child?" she gasped as she -ran toward him. - -As soon as he saw Florence the newsboy began explaining between sobs, -"Oh, señorita, two men--stole--your car! I try to stop them--and one of -them--knock me down." - -"Oh, that is terrible!" Florence cried, at the same time scrutinizing his -wounds. "Not deep, but painful," she decided before going on to question -him about the appearance of the men. - -Brokenly, the boy began describing the man who had hit him. "He had a -scar--on his chin--and one eye squinted--an evil eye." - -"That sounds like the taller one of the smugglers," Florence decided -immediately. "Was he the taller one of the two men?" she asked. - -"_Sí._ I try to keep them--from stealing your car, but----" The boy -stopped talking to sob afresh. - -"I'm sure you tried," Florence comforted him. "Here is some money." She -handed him some coins and then a clean handkerchief, adding, "Wipe the -blood with this." - -A tall professional-looking man stepped up just then and remarked, "I -will look after the boy." - -With a "_Muchas gracias_" and an "_Adios_" to the boy, Florence hurried -back to Jo Ann and Peggy, who were standing near by, still wondering what -had happened. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - MORE TROUBLES - - -As soon as she drew near, Florence burst out excitedly, "Our car's -stolen!" - -Jo Ann's and Peggy's eyes stretched to their widest, and their lower jaws -dropped. - -Jo Ann was the first to recover from the shock. "Our car's stolen! Why, -who could've----Oh, it must've been the smugglers!" - -"I'm sure it was," Florence replied. "The newsboy described one of them -exactly--the taller one." - -Peggy gasped audibly. "That settles it, then." - -"He hit the boy--knocked him down--then they drove off in our car." - -"I don't understand why the smuggler should've hit the boy," put in Jo -Ann bewilderedly. "What'd the boy have to do with the affair?" - -Florence and Peggy exchanged glances, then Florence answered, "I hired -the boy to watch our car while we went to the market. The lock on the car -wouldn't work. I'm to blame." - -"Oh--I'm beginning to see now." The bewildered expression on Jo Ann's -face slipped away, and a look of determination took its place. "We've got -to get our car back right away." She drew her brows together into a -little frowning line of concentration. - -"Hadn't we better report it to the police?" Peggy asked. - -Jo Ann shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe later. I believe we'd better hunt -up the mystery man and tell----" She halted abruptly. "But maybe he's -left the city already. I hope not. I want to tell him our car's license -number, so he can follow it--especially since the smugglers might've -discarded their car entirely. But maybe one of them might drive ours and -the other one their car. Come on. We'll plan what to do as we walk." She -caught Florence with one hand and Peggy with the other. - -"But where're we going?" queried Peggy. - -"Anywhere so we can get away from this crowd," Florence whispered, eying -the curious onlookers, who were waiting to see what the _Americanas_ were -going to do. - -No sooner had the girls started off down the street than Florence -remembered about the two little boys carrying their packages. She glanced -around and saw them following close behind, the packages piled up in -their arms almost as high as their chins. "Gracious!" she exclaimed. "We -can't have them following us everywhere. We'd better have them take the -packages back to the market and leave them there for a while. Walk -slowly, and I'll catch up with you in a shake." - -She wheeled about, gave a quick order in Spanish to the boys, and then -accompanied them to the market. After leaving the packages at the same -booth where they had waited before and paying the boys a few _centavos_, -she flew back to the girls. - -"I've decided to go to the telephone exchange first," Jo Ann announced to -her quickly. "Where is it?" - -"One block down, then turn to the right and go about a block and a half." - -"Let's step on it." Jo Ann strode off in what Peggy always called her -"long-legged gallop," which meant that both she and Florence had to take -two or three steps to Jo Ann's one. - -Having caught up with Jo Ann by running, Florence asked, "Why--are -you--going to the exchange?" - -"'Cause I feel sure that he was going to do some long-distance -phoning--and he started off in this direction." With that she galloped -off faster than ever. - -"People'll think we're crazy--running--along like this," puffed Peggy. - -Florence nodded assent "They're saying, 'Ah, those--queer _Americanas_!'" - -The two girls reached the exchange at last in time for Florence to help -Jo Ann question one of the operators. The man they had described, the -operator replied, had left only a few minutes before. - -"Where did he go?" Jo Ann asked quickly. - -The operator shook her head. "That I do not know." - -"Now where?" Peggy asked Jo Ann curiously. - -"To the telegraph office. He'd probably have to telegraph, too, to some -of the inspectors. Where's the telegraph office, Florence?" - -"Go back to the corner where we just turned. It's a block past the -market." - -"Oh, gosh!" Jo Ann exploded. "Just my luck to go to the wrong place -first. Come on." - -Off she rushed out of the building and soon was several yards ahead of -the other two. By the time she had reached the telegraph office, she was -panting, her cheeks a brilliant scarlet with beads of perspiration -running down them. - -Just as she dashed in, she bumped into a man hurrying out. - -"Oh--I--beg your----" she began, then gasped, "Oh, it's _you_! I've--been -hunting--for you!" - -"What's happened?" the mystery man asked, guiding her outside, away from -the curious stare of the people in the office. - -As quickly as she could manage in her breathless state, she recounted -what had happened. - -"Glad you found me in time," he replied. "I was just ready to leave in -pursuit. What's your car's number?" He jerked out a notebook from his -pocket and jotted down the number she gave him. "I'll try to get your car -back to you," he added then. "About your getting home this afternoon----" - -He broke off in the middle of his sentence and turned to the tall, erect -Mexican man standing back of him, whom Jo Ann now noticed for the first -time. "Gonzales, I want you to drive this girl and her friends to their -home out beyond San Geronimo. She'll tell you how to get there, if you -don't know." He turned again to Jo Ann, saying, "This is Juan Gonzales, -my right-hand man; Gonzales, this is my right-hand girl, Miss Jo Ann -Cutrer. Take good care of her." He addressed Jo Ann again: "He's a -careful driver. I'll write to you as soon as I can." With an "Adios" he -hurried on to the curb, sprang into a tan roadster, and drove off -rapidly. - -By that time Peggy and Florence had come puffing up, and after -introducing Mr. Gonzales to them, Jo Ann explained that he was to drive -them home. Florence, with her knowledge of Mexicans and their language, -talked for a few minutes in Spanish with the stranger before agreeing to -this plan. Having decided that he was a gentleman and trustworthy, she -told Jo Ann that she, for one, thought they ought to be starting back -home shortly. "As soon as we get our packages at the market, we'll be -ready, won't we?" - -"I have a few things I'd like to get," spoke up Peggy. - -"How long will it take you to finish your shopping?" Mr. Gonzales asked -in excellent English, surprising them all so that there was a moment's -silence before Peggy answered, "I'll be ready in about fifteen or twenty -minutes. You girls will be too, won't you?" - -Both nodded assent. - -"Very well, I'll have Mr. Andrews's other car here waiting by that time -for you." - -"Mr. Andrews's car?" Jo Ann repeated puzzledly, then smiled. "You mean -the mystery man's car. We've called him the mystery man so long that I'd -forgotten for the moment that he'd told me his name was Andrews. I'll try -to remember that hereafter." - -The girls hurried off to finish their shopping and in about a quarter of -an hour were back at the corner. Almost at the same minute Mr. Gonzales -drove up in a sedan, and the girls climbed into the back seat, piling -their packages on the floor. - -Jo Ann noted with satisfaction that Mr. Gonzales was a careful driver, -weaving in and out the traffic with ease and taking no unnecessary risks. -Having arrived at this conclusion she relaxed somewhat and began talking -over their exciting experiences with the girls. "One thing I'm thankful -for is that we three paid for Jitters ourselves," she remarked. "Wouldn't -it be terrible if, say, Miss Prudence, had been a part owner? Wouldn't -you hate to tell her about the car's having been stolen?" - -Both nodded emphatically, and Florence added, "I've been wondering if -we'd better tell her. I rather think not. She'd get all stirred up over -it, and besides, the mystery man'll probably get Jitters back to us in a -few days. How about keeping quiet about it for a while?" - -"I'm in favor of keeping mum till we hear from Mr. Andrews," Peggy put -in. "If he writes he couldn't find the car, why, of course, we'll have to -tell Miss Prudence and Mr. Eldridge then." - -"When José meets us at Jitters' House this afternoon," Jo Ann broke in, -"he'll know something's wrong at once. He'll want to know what's become -of Jitters." - -"We'll tell him the truth and ask him to say nothing about it for a few -days--till we tell him he may," Florence suggested. "He already knows -about those men being angry at us for getting the pottery they'd planned -to buy. That reminds me, I feel mighty bad about losing that pottery. I'd -written my friend I was shipping it, and she'll be expecting it." - -"Mr. Andrews may recover it when--or if--he finds our car," Peggy -remarked. - -"I certainly hope he recovers both the car and the pottery," Jo Ann said -with a sigh. "When I think of that gang of smugglers he's fighting--well, -I just get scared stiff. I'm afraid they're going to kill him before it's -all over." - -"Let's try not to worry," advised Florence. - -When they finally reached Jitters' House, they found José waiting for -them with the horses. His black eyes widened in surprise on seeing them -getting out of a strange car. - -After the girls had thanked Mr. Gonzales and he had started off toward -the city, Florence told the mystified José what had happened, ending, "Do -not tell anyone about the car's having been stolen." - -"I will not tell," he promised. - -As the rest of the family had finished eating dinner by the time the -girls had reached the house, they ate alone and thus escaped being -questioned as much as they would have been otherwise. Shortly afterward -they went on to their bedroom. So engrossed were they still in talking -over their adventures that it was late before they could compose -themselves and go to sleep. - -The next day lagged snail-like to the girls. All three went about their -household tasks with an air of subdued suspense. - -Over and over Jo Ann found herself wondering about the mystery man. Was -he still alive? Perhaps even now he was lying badly injured--dying in -some remote gully in the desert. Had that awful presentiment he'd had -about losing his life--had it actually come to pass, or was it about to? -She shuddered at these gloomy thoughts. - -Noticing how worried Jo Ann looked, both girls realized that it was the -mystery man's fate more than the loss of the car that was troubling her. -They both tried to take her mind off this subject, and Peggy even tried a -bit of teasing finally in her effort to make her less pessimistic. - -"You're going around here with such a long face that your chin almost -touches the floor," she told her. "Miss Prudence'll be wondering what's -the matter." - -"She's already asked me if you're sick, Jo," Florence added. "She said -you looked so pale and peaked that she'd about decided she'd better give -you some of her iron-strychnine tonic." - -"Ugh!" Jo Ann ejaculated, grimacing. "That's the vilest-tasting stuff in -the whole world. I'd better turn up the corners of my mouth into a grin -right now." In spite of these words, her lower lip trembled threateningly -as she added, "When you know some person's life is in danger, you can't -help thinking and worrying about it." - -"Snap out of the dumps," Peggy ordered. "I hear Miss Prudence coming. I -feel it in my bones that she's bringing her bottle of tonic." - -Jo Ann obediently tried to force her lips into the semblance of a smile. -Peggy's and Florence's lips curved upward without any difficulty when -they saw Miss Prudence enter, actually carrying a bottle. - -Jo Ann eyed the bottle askance a moment; then her face brightened into a -real smile as she read the label, "Furniture Polish." - -"You girls don't seem to know what to do with yourselves this morning," -Miss Prudence said briskly, "so I've decided to give you some extra -work--polishing the furniture." - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - WELCOME GUESTS - - -The next morning the girls waited anxiously for José to return from his -trip to the village for the mail. They had wanted to go with him, but -Miss Prudence had vetoed that plan with, "The sun's so hot today, and Jo -Ann's looking so pale, that I believe you'd better not take that long -horseback ride. I think I'd better begin giving her some of my -iron-strychnine tonic." - -Jo Ann shook her head vigorously. "Oh, no, I don't need any tonic! Indeed -I don't. Don't waste any of your medicine on me. When it's gone you'd -probably have to send back to the States for some more." - -"Well, I'll wait two or three days; then, if you're not looking better by -that time, you'll have to take that tonic without fail." Miss Prudence's -voice was firm. - -When the family sat down to eat their lunch, José had not yet returned -from the village. - -Noticing that Carlitos was not at the table, Peggy inquired of Miss -Prudence about him. - -"He went with José after the mail," she replied. - -No sooner had she finished her sentence than Carlitos burst into the -room, his blue eyes round and dark in his excitement. With his Spanish -words tumbling over each other in his haste he blurted out, "Ah, -senoritas, your automobile--it is stolen. Terrible!" - -Not being able to understand him, Miss Prudence and Peggy stared -wonderingly. Jo Ann's and Florence's faces, however, flamed scarlet with -embarrassment. - -"The cat's out of the bag now," flashed through Jo Ann's mind. "We'll -have to tell the whole tale." She could feel Mr. Eldridge's eyes boring -into hers. - -The next moment Miss Prudence ordered sternly, "Carlitos, speak English! -Tell me what's happened." - -In halting English Carlitos repeated that the girls' car had been stolen. - -"Stolen!" ejaculated Miss Prudence. "What next?" She turned to her -brother. "Do you suppose that Luis could've stolen it?" - -"No. The girls drove to the city after Luis was taken prisoner." - -By this time Jo Ann had recovered her wits sufficiently to say slowly, -"The car was stolen when we were in the city." - -"My stars!" Miss Prudence gasped. "Why--why didn't you tell us before -this? The idea of your not saying one word all this time! And you -might've been stolen--kidnaped--yourselves!" - -"Don't get so flustered, Prue," Mr. Eldridge advised. "The girls're safe -and sound if their car isn't." He looked over at Jo Ann. "Begin at the -first and tell us exactly what happened. Florence, you and Peggy put in -all the details she misses." - -Thus commanded, Jo Ann took a long breath and plunged into the story, -beginning at her first anxiety over the mystery man's presentiment about -his going to be killed. From that she went on to their discovery of the -smugglers' car in the desert, their finding them in the village, and her -reporting all this to the mystery man. - -Other than a few exclamations and gasps Miss Prudence did not interrupt. -But when Jo Ann stopped to catch her breath, she threw in, "Well, after -all this wild adventure, I'll be afraid to let you girls stick your noses -outside the door. And here I'd thought all this time I was the perfect -chaperon." - -The expression of stupefied amazement on his sister's face made Mr. -Eldridge smile half whimsically and say, "I've learned not to be amazed -at anything this trio pulls off. There're still several points not clear -in my mind, though." He began hurling question after question at the -girls, till each felt as if she were being cross-examined on the witness -stand. - -Finally he was satisfied that he had gathered together all the loose ends -of the story. His face was grave as he said, "I'm glad it's all turned -out as it has--so far, but hereafter don't get tangled up in any way -whatever with smugglers. They're a dangerous set, as Mr. Andrews told -you. Most of them would as soon shoot our officers as not. Indeed, they -seem to look upon them as good targets for their practice. The next time -you suspect anyone of being a smuggler, come tell me about it." - -So earnest and emphatic had Mr. Eldridge been that for the first time Jo -Ann realized fully the risks she had been running. "I'm through with -smugglers and their affairs from now on," she declared. "I was more to -blame for getting mixed up in this than Peggy and Florence. They'd have -kept out of it if it hadn't been for me." - -Florence spoke up promptly and began trying to share the blame, but Jo -Ann shook her head. "No, I'm the guilty one." - -After this well-deserved lecture Jo Ann felt "indigo blue," as she -expressed it to the girls afterward. "If I could only hear from Mr. -Andrews that he's all right and that the smugglers were caught and the -car found!" - -The next day dragged on interminably, so it seemed to Jo Ann in her low -state of mind. - -"Oh, cheer up, Jo," Peggy finally begged. "You're going to get good news -tomorrow, I feel it in my bones." - -"I hope your bones're trustworthy," Jo Ann returned; "but I have my -doubts about their power to prophesy." - -On the morning of the fourth day Jo Ann woke in a more cheerful mood. "I -believe we're going to hear from Mr. Andrews today," she told the girls. - -Peggy smiled. "Your bones must be getting prophetic, too." - -When José appeared at noon with a letter from Mr. Andrews, Peggy and -Florence were quite as excited as Jo Ann. - -"Hurry up!" Peggy implored, as Jo Ann began to open it. - -"Read it out loud--hurry!" urged Florence. - -In another moment Jo Ann had unfolded the letter. "Why, it has only three -lines in it! It just says, 'All is well. Am bringing your car Saturday -afternoon to San Geronimo. Hope to get there by four o'clock.'" - -Jo Ann's face was beaming by this time. "Just think! He's all right--and -so's Jitters!" - -"Gr-and!" chimed in Peggy, catching Jo Ann and Florence by the hands and -circling about in lively dancing steps. - -While they were still whirling about, Miss Prudence entered the room. - -Jo Ann checked her fast-flying feet and sang out, "We've swell, elegant -news! The mystery man's alive, and he's bringing our car to the village -this afternoon--about four o'clock." - -"Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that!" Miss Prudence exclaimed. "Let's -see--if he reaches the village that late, he'll probably come on out -here. We must have a good dinner for him. That's fine of him, bringing -your car all that distance. Suppose you girls come to the kitchen and -help me awhile. I'll see that he gets some good New England cooking." - -Jo Ann grinned. "That lets us girls out. We're from the South." - -Miss Prudence came back promptly with, "You're all good help just the -same. Come along." - -The three girls followed her to the kitchen and were soon busy helping -her prepare the salad and dessert. So diligently did they work that they -had finished before it was time for José to go to the village with the -horses for the two men to ride. - -"Let's go with José," Jo Ann suggested. - -"All right," agreed Peggy and Florence. - -All three hurried off at once to change into their riding outfits. - -When, about two hours later, they came in sight of Pedro's store, Jo -Ann's sharp eyes spied two cars in front of the building. "One of the -cars is a brand-new one. A beauty." - -"Maybe it's Mr. Andrews's," Peggy suggested. - -"That other one's his, I know. I wonder where he's parked Jitters. I -don't see her." - -"I hope nothing has happened to her," put in Florence. - -With their faces lit by the broadest smiles, the three sprang from their -horses and greeted Mr. Andrews, who had hurried out to meet them, Mr. -Gonzales following closely behind him. - -"Oh, we're so happy you're safe and sound--that you're both all right!" -Jo Ann welcomed them. - -"We certainly are, too, aren't we?" added Peggy. - -Florence nodded. "Yes, indeed." - -"Did you capture the smugglers--all of them?" Jo Ann asked eagerly in the -next breath. - -Mr. Andrews smiled. "Not all of them; but the three ringleaders and the -two whose trail you set me following are behind prison bars. That gang's -broken to bits; I can breathe more freely now. If it hadn't been for you, -I might be dead. I'm certainly grateful to you." - -Jo Ann drew a long sigh of relief, as did the other two girls. "That -certainly is grand news," she added the next moment. - -"I hope that's the last experience you girls'll ever have of that kind," -he said earnestly. - -A moment's silence fell; then Jo Ann asked, "Where's Jitters?" Suddenly -recalling that neither man knew the name of their car, she added, -smiling, "Our old Ford, I mean." - -The two men exchanged smiles before Mr. Andrews answered, "Jitters is a -complete wreck--in a deep gully near the border." - -A look of utter bewilderment appeared on the face of each girl. - -In another moment Jo Ann recovered sufficiently to say haltingly, -"But--you wrote--you were bringing our car." - -"I did bring it. There it is!" Mr. Andrews gestured to the shining new -car. "It's a present for the assistance you girls have given us--to take -the place of your Jitters." - -Three pairs of eyes flew open to their widest. So overwhelming was their -amazement that for once none of them could speak for a full minute. - -"You have done much for us," Mr. Gonzales spoke up, smiling. "You have -probably saved my life as well as Mr. Andrews's. _Muchas gracias_." - -"But--but, Mr. Andrews--Mr. Gonzales," began Jo Ann confusedly. "We do -not deserve this fine new car. You must not give us such a----" - -"You have more than earned it," smiled Mr. Andrews. "It is yours by -rights. We owe you more than we can ever repay you." - -Convinced at last that the car was rightfully theirs, the girls began to -exclaim delightedly: - -"Grand!" - -"Gorgeous!" - -"Wonderful!" - -"A thousand thanks from each one of us," added Jo Ann, shining-eyed. - -With that the three of one accord ran over to the car to inspect it and -revel in its beauty. - -"We'll feel so elegant--so swanky, riding about in this car!" exclaimed -Jo Ann. - -They climbed inside then to admire the upholstery and shining gadgets. - -A few minutes later Jo Ann was proudly driving out of the village, the -two men following in the other car, and José with the aid of a small boy -bringing along the horses. - -"Won't Miss Prudence and Mr. Eldridge be surprised when they hear about -our new car?" Peggy remarked. - -Jo Ann smiled broadly. "Miss Prudence was always scared of Jitters. -She'll be delighted." - -"What shall we name it?" Florence asked a moment later. - -Peggy suddenly chuckled. "How about naming it for Miss Prudence? It's so -shining and spotlessly clean. And besides, that name might help Jo to be -more prudent--less reckless." - -"That name suits me," laughed Jo Ann. - -"And me," added Florence. "And I believe it'll please Miss Prudence, -especially when we explain why we've chosen the name." - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---A Table of Contents was added for the reader's convenience. - ---Obvious typographical errors were corrected without comment. - ---Non-standard spellings and dialect were left unchanged. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CROSSED TRAILS IN MEXICO*** - - -******* This file should be named 44061-8.txt or 44061-8.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/4/0/6/44061 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at - www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/44061-8.zip b/44061-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 311d75a..0000000 --- a/44061-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/44061-h.zip b/44061-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3b28ced..0000000 --- a/44061-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/44061.txt b/44061.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b43e7fe..0000000 --- a/44061.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5448 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Crossed Trails in Mexico, by Nell Virginia -Fairfax and Helen Allan Ripley - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: Crossed Trails in Mexico - Mexican Mystery Stories #3 - - -Author: Nell Virginia Fairfax and Helen Allan Ripley - - - -Release Date: November 1, 2013 [eBook #44061] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CROSSED TRAILS IN MEXICO*** - - -E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) - - - -CROSSED TRAILS IN MEXICO - -by - -HELEN RANDOLPH - - - - - - - -A. L. Burt Company, Publishers -New York Chicago - - * * * * * * - -Mexican Mystery Stories For Girls -By Helen Randolph - -The Mystery of Carlitos -The Secret of Casa Grande -Crossed Trails in Mexico - - -Copyright 1936 by -A. L. Burt Company -Printed in the U.S.A. - - * * * * * * - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. "I'm Afraid I'm Going to Lose My Life" 7 - II. The Mystery Man 19 - III. The Hitch-Hiker 29 - IV. Pressing Difficulties 38 - V. The Hidden Car 51 - VI. A Familiar Face 63 - VII. "We Must Get an Early Start" 78 - VIII. At the Mine 90 - IX. Miss Prudence's Cleaning Spree 100 - X. The Indefinite Manana 111 - XI. The Secret of the Olla 119 - XII. Heading for Trouble 127 - XIII. The Pottery Woman's Warning 139 - XIV. Jo Ann's Search 148 - XV. Anxious Moments 161 - XVI. Down the Mine Shaft 177 - XVII. In the Darkness 189 - XVIII. Jo Ann Finds a Way 200 - XIX. An Exciting Race 216 - XX. More Troubles 229 - XXI. Welcome Guests 243 - - - - - CHAPTER I - "I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO LOSE MY LIFE" - - -Peggy nudged Jo Ann and pointed to the sign ahead: "Speed limit, 80 -miles." - -Jo Ann's dark brown eyes twinkled. "It's plain to see we're out in the -Texas open now--the wide open." - -"Too bad poor old Jitters can't accept the invitation to do eighty. She's -doing well when she makes forty or fifty. But even if she could go -faster, Florence wouldn't let her." Peggy gestured toward the small, -trim, fair-haired girl at the wheel. - -"Florence has lived in Mexico so long that she's slow but sure like the -Mexicans. She's always saying, 'Why the great rush? There's plenty of -time!' If I were driving, now--" Jo Ann nodded her mop of unruly black -curls vigorously--"I'd encourage Jitters to go her limit, especially -since she has brand-new tires." - -"Here too. Weren't we lucky to find such a bargain in a car? I'll admit -she's not much on looks and that she shakes till she deserves the name of -Jitters--but she's ours, all ours." Peggy's hazel eyes gazed admiringly -upon their old battered Ford. - -"And look where she's carrying us: to Mexico! All the way to the land of -mystery and romance!" - -"I can hardly wait to get back down there again. I wonder if we'll run -into as thrilling adventures as we did last summer when we were visiting -Florence." - -Peggy smiled. "You will. You're always getting out of one mystery only to -tumble headlong into another." - -Jo Ann nodded toward the prim, erect, gray-haired woman on the front seat -beside Florence and murmured, "Miss Prudence'll keep me on my good -behavior this time. Even if some tremendous mystery bumps right into me -this trip, I'm not going to pay one bit of attention to it." - -"Straight from Missouri am I," Peggy replied, laughing. - -"From Mississippi, you mean. From a year's hard work in good old Evanston -High. The work's agreed with us, hasn't it? We're both four or five -pounds heavier. School's agreed with Carlitos, too." Jo Ann leaned -forward to smile at the round-faced eleven-year-old boy sitting on the -other side of Peggy. "He's as fat as a butter ball now." - -Ever since the five had started on their long automobile journey, -Carlitos had been too busy viewing the scenery to talk, but at Jo Ann's -words he opened his blue eyes wide and asked in broken English, "Butter -ball--what is dat?" - -Both Jo Ann and Peggy exchanged smiles. It seemed strange to them that -Carlitos could not understand the most commonplace phrases, yet when they -stopped to think that he had spoken Spanish altogether till he had come -to the States last fall, they marveled that he talked as well as he did. - -While Jo Ann was explaining to him the meaning of the words "butter -ball," Peggy was mentally reviewing his strange life. When he was about a -year old his parents had come from New Jersey to a remote Mexican village -where his father, Charles Eldridge, owned a silver mine. A few months -later Mr. Eldridge had met his death at the hands of a treacherous -Mexican foreman, and shortly afterwards Mrs. Eldridge had died from the -combined effects of shock and pneumonia, leaving the tiny Carlitos in the -care of a poor ignorant Indian nurse. The foreman, who had taken -possession of the mine, then tried to kidnap Carlitos, the rightful heir. -Alarmed at this threatened danger, the nurse had fled across the -mountains with Carlitos and her family where they were befriended by Jo -Ann, Florence, and herself. Due to their efforts Carlitos's uncle, Edward -Eldridge, had been found and the mine restored to Carlitos. So dismayed -had his uncle been at finding that his nephew could not speak English -that he had sent him to Massachusetts to live with his aunt, Miss -Prudence Eldridge. - -Peggy smiled to herself as her thoughts wandered around to the New -England spinster aunt who had come down by train with Carlitos to -Mississippi and was accompanying them the rest of the way to Mexico. Miss -Prudence's never-ceasing astonishment at having a half-grown nephew who -was just learning to speak English was a source of amusement to her and -Florence and Jo Ann. - -Just then Carlitos broke into an excited exclamation: "We come to big -city! See--big high houses!" - -"Fine!" Jo Ann ejaculated. "That must be Houston. We've made much better -time than I thought. We'll be there by seven o'clock." - -With a broad smile Peggy remarked low-voiced to Jo Ann, "Don't forget -that you drew Miss Prudence for your roommate tonight. I heard her say -she always rises at five-thirty, so I see where you'll have to get up -with the chickens." - -"If I have to get up at that ghastly hour, I'll wake you and Florence, -too. It'll be specially good for you to get up early. As Miss Prudence -said last night, 'Remember, the early bird catches the worm'!" - -Peggy made a funny little grimace. "But I don't want to catch worms--I -don't like 'em." - -"You'll have to acquire a taste for them then," Jo Ann retorted between -giggles. A moment later she added, "We really ought to get an early start -tomorrow morning, sure enough, since we may go by way of Brownsville." - -On reaching the city a half hour later, they drove straight to one of the -larger hotels. - -"I just adore going into strange hotels," remarked Peggy, starting to get -out of the car. - -Miss Prudence turned in time to see her rising and said quickly, "You -girls wait here while I go in and look around. One can't be too -particular about the kind of hotel one chooses, even to stay for a few -hours." - -Disappointed, Peggy dropped back into her seat. - -"Never mind, Peg, when we get to Mexico she'll let Florence and us take -the lead, since she's never been there before." - -In a few minutes the girls saw Miss Prudence returning, followed closely -by a porter. - -"Come on," she called out briskly to them. "I've registered for us all." - -She hurried them on inside the hotel and into the elevator so rapidly -that Peggy declared afterwards that she wouldn't have known she was in a -hotel if she hadn't seen a bellboy. - -When the porter stopped at the first room and asked which baggage he was -to carry in, Miss Prudence pointed to her suitcase, then hesitated a half -second. - -Peggy grasped this opportunity to put in, "Jo says she's going to be your -roommate this time." - -Miss Prudence smiled over at Jo Ann. "Fine. Carlitos's room connects with -ours; then you and Florence have the one next to his. All of you hurry -and get cleaned up, now, so we can get something to eat right away. Then -we'll come straight up and go to bed. We have to get an early start in -the morning, you know." - -The three girls exchanged swift glances but did not protest. - -Once inside their room, however, Peggy groaned loudly to Florence, "Miss -Prudence acts as if we were still in rompers. Putting us to bed as soon -as we've eaten our suppers! What's the fun of coming to a new city if you -can't see anything?" - -By nine o'clock, still inwardly protesting but outwardly calm, the girls -were marshaled back to their rooms by Miss Prudence. - -Jo Ann bade Peggy and Florence good night and remarked with a teasing -smile, "You'll hear me knocking at your door about 5:30 A.M." - -"Don't you dare!" both girls exclaimed in the same breath. Florence -added, "Surely you wouldn't be that cruel!" - -"Oh yes, I would. Misery needs companionship. Be sure to leave the -sliding panel of your door down as it is now, so you can hear my first -tap." Jo Ann indicated the top section of the door which was screened by -a Venetian blind, as were the doors of all the other rooms. - -It seemed to Jo Ann she had hardly been asleep two winks that night when -she heard a voice saying in her ear, "Sorry, my dear, but it's time -you're getting up." - -Miss Prudence! Surely it couldn't be morning! She suppressed a groan and -turned over for another nap, only to hear the insistent voice: "Sorry, my -dear, but----" - -Jo Ann managed to mumble a sleepy "All right." - -After much stretching and yawning she reluctantly slipped out of bed. She -stood blinking sleepily at Miss Prudence in her blue kimono and thinking -how Chinesey she looked with her long, gray, braided pigtail down her -back. - -Miss Prudence's next words were anything but Chinese: "Call the girls and -Carlitos before you start to dress. Both Peggy and Florence are slower -than you, and it'll take them a long time to get ready." - -"Some of my clothes are in Peg's bag, so I'll have to go in and get them -before I can dress. I'll wake them then." Thoroughly roused at last, Jo -Ann thrust her feet into her slippers, slipped into her negligee, and -started down the hall. - -Just as she reached the girls' door a man's earnest voice sounded -startlingly clear through the screened panel of the door directly across -the hall. Her heart gave a sudden frightened leap at hearing someone say, -"I'm afraid I'm going to lose my life before this is over." - -So distinct were the words that it seemed as if the man were talking to -her. In danger of losing his life! And he was! There was no mistaking the -conviction in his voice. It was not the broken trembling voice of a -coward. It had been firm, strong, even though he was sure he was in grave -danger. He must be talking to someone over the phone--there was no -audible answer. Why was he in such terrible trouble? What had he done? -Was he a criminal or a detective? - -Standing statue-like at the girls' door Jo Ann listened intently for his -next words. "I was hot on their trail," the voice went on, "but had two -flats, and that delayed me.... Yes, in the usual place." - -Before she could realize that the conversation had ended, the door opened -suddenly, and a tall, stalwart man wearing a broad-brimmed tan felt hat -stepped out. On seeing Jo Ann he halted and shot a piercing glance at her -from gray eyes so penetratingly keen that she felt as if they were -cutting straight through her. - -She flushed with embarrassment. It had been unpardonably rude to -eavesdrop that way. What must that man think of her? Hurriedly she began -knocking on the girls' door. - -Out of the corner of her eye she saw that the man, after hesitating a -fraction of a second, had gone on down the hall toward the elevator. - - - - - CHAPTER II - THE MYSTERY MAN - - -After she had knocked several times, Peggy called out sleepily, "Who's -that?" - -"Open the door. Hurry!" - -"All right--I'll be there--in a jiffy." - -In a few moments Peggy flung the door open, and Jo Ann stepped inside, -her eyes still dilated with excitement. - -"I've just heard the strangest--most mysterious thing!" she gasped. - -"You would!" Peggy declared. "But that's nothing unusual for you. You're -always hearing and seeing mysterious things." - -"What was it?" Florence called from the bed. - -"Well, just as I had reached your door and was about to knock, I heard a -man in the room directly across the hall say in the most earnest voice -imaginable, 'I'm afraid I'm going to lose my life before this is over.'" - -Both girls stared wide-eyed at Jo Ann; then Peggy, recovering from her -first shock, asked half doubtfully, "You're sure you didn't misunderstand -him? Your imagination runs riot now and then. Perhaps you just thought -you heard him say that." - -Jo Ann shook her head vigorously. "No imagination about it. I heard him -as distinctly as I do you now." - -"What on earth made him say that, do you suppose, Jo?" Florence asked -curiously. - -"That's what I'd like to know." - -"What can that man be--a gangster?" Without waiting for an answer Peggy -added, shuddering, "The idea of that man's being right across the hall -from us gives me the creeps." She flew back to the door to see if she had -locked it. - -"I believe he must be a detective; I feel sure he wasn't a gangster," Jo -Ann said quickly. "He didn't look like one." - -"You saw him!" both girls exclaimed together. - -"Yes, he came out of his door suddenly and caught me standing there -listening. I hadn't any business eavesdropping--but I just couldn't help -it. I wanted to know why he thought he was going to lose his life." - -"Did you hear him say anything else?" queried Peggy in a whisper, -glancing back toward the door as if she thought the man might be doing -some eavesdropping himself. - -"Not very much. Evidently he was talking to someone over the phone. I -couldn't hear anyone answering. He said that he'd lost the trail because -he'd been delayed on account of two flat tires." - -"Lost the trail!" Florence repeated. "That sounds as if he's a detective, -sure enough. Whom do you suppose he was after?" - -"That's hard to say. I'd have to use my imagination to answer that." - -"You've certainly run into a real mystery this time," put in Peggy, now -thoroughly convinced that Jo Ann's tale was not fiction. "You ought to -have thought up some kind of a solution by----" - -A sharp knock at the door broke into Peggy's sentence, and all three -girls gave little surprised jumps and stared at the door without saying a -word. - -The next instant Miss Prudence's voice called out crisply, "Girls!" - -"Oh, it's just Miss Prudence!" Peggy exclaimed in relief. "I thought -maybe that man...." She left her sentence unfinished and ran to the door. - -Jo Ann's face reddened guiltily. She had forgotten entirely about -dressing and telling the girls to hurry. - -As soon as Miss Prudence stepped inside and saw that the girls were still -in their pajamas, she looked over reproachfully at Jo Ann and said, "I -thought you'd all be almost dressed by this time." - -"We would've been ready, but...." Jo Ann rushed into an account of the -strange telephone conversation she had heard, ending apologetically, "I -was so excited that I forgot all about our having to dress." - -As soon as Jo Ann had finished, Miss Prudence spoke up quickly, "The -sooner we get out of this hotel the better. I don't like the idea of -being in a room across from a man that's expecting to get killed any -instant. Hurry fast as you can and get dressed." - -"The man's not in his room now: I saw him go down the hall toward the -elevator," Jo Ann reminded her. - -"But he might come back any minute, and there might--well, something -might happen. Hurry, girls." - -Thus urged, the girls dressed hastily. Even Peggy, who usually was -deliberate about arranging her auburn hair into neat waves, speeded up -this part of her toilet and was dressed in record-breaking time. - -After they had been joined by Carlitos they all went down to the coffee -room for their breakfast and then on out to the garage to get the car. - -Jo Ann slipped into the front seat of the car saying, "It's my turn to -drive Jitters this morning." - -"I'll sit with you to see that you don't go too fast," Florence remarked -smilingly, dropping down beside her. - -Jo Ann laughed. "It's Jitters herself that'll keep me from exceeding the -speed limit." - -After they had left the city and had gone several miles, Jo Ann noticed -that in the automobile just ahead of them were three men, one wearing a -uniform and the other two in civilian clothes and large felt hats similar -to the one the mystery man had worn. "The biggest one of those men in -that car ahead looks exactly like the man I overheard talking this -morning," she remarked to Florence. "He's the same size and is wearing -the same kind of hat." - -Florence smiled. "It seems to me most of the men I've seen so far in -Texas are big and wear that kind of hat. You have that mystery man on -your mind: that's why you think you see a resemblance." - -"Maybe so, but I believe it's that very man." - -"It's possible that it is he, but"--Florence smiled--"I'm more interested -in that man in the uniform. I believe he's a traffic cop and is going to -get you for speeding." - -"Look at that sign!" Jo Ann pointed to another road sign indicating that -the speed limit was 80 miles. "And now look at the speedometer. I'm going -to let Jitters do her best now and pass that car. I want to get a good -look at that man and see if it is my mystery man. I'll feel relieved to -know he's still alive." - -Jo Ann stepped on the gas and soon was swinging out to the side of the -road. As she passed by the other car, she threw a swift but keen glance -at the largest one of the men. - -"That is the mystery man!" she exclaimed a moment later. "I'm sure it's -he. I certainly am glad he's still alive." - -Florence relayed Jo Ann's words to Peggy, whereupon Peggy craned her neck -to stare out of the rear window at the occupants of the car. "Where do -you suppose they're going--to Mexico?" she asked Florence a moment later. - -Florence shook her head. "Ask me an easy question. That's too hard for -me." - -"I wish I knew more about him. I wonder why he's in such terrible -trouble. I hope he's going the same route we are." - -"It's high time we're deciding whether we're going by way of Brownsville -or Laredo," Florence called back, hoping that Miss Prudence would catch -the anxious note in her voice. She and the other two girls had hinted -very strongly to her that they would like to take the longer route, by -way of Brownsville, so they could see Lucile Owen, one of their -schoolmates, but Miss Prudence had so far refused to say definitely -whether she would be willing. - -"I'd love to see Lucile," Jo Ann put in, loud enough for Miss Prudence to -hear, and adding also for her special benefit, "She says no one really -knows Texas till he's seen the Rio Grande valley and its citrus groves." - -"It's the most famous garden spot of Texas," added Peggy. - -The girls could see that Miss Prudence was favorably impressed, but she -still hesitated to give her approval, saying, "It's so far out of our -way--four hundred miles at least." - -"I believe if we keep singing the valley's praises she'll give her -consent," Florence prophesied, low-voiced, to Jo Ann. - -"Whichever way we go, I hope the mystery man goes the same way," Jo Ann -replied. "I want to find out more about him. Is his car still following?" - -Florence turned around to see, then reported, "Yes, just a short distance -behind." - -Several times afterwards Jo Ann asked that same question, to have it -answered each time in the affirmative. - -By about two o'clock she decided that they must be nearing the road -turning off to Brownsville. "Miss Prudence'll have to decide very shortly -now which way we're going," she told Florence. - -Evidently Peggy was thinking the same thing, as the next moment they -heard her appealing again to Miss Prudence to decide on that route. While -Miss Prudence was still wavering about her decision, Jo Ann drove past -the Brownsville road, but stopped as soon as Florence told her she had -seen the sign. "We've got to decide right now," she ended. - - - - - CHAPTER III - THE HITCH-HIKER - - -Just as Florence was speaking, she and Jo Ann saw the car that had been -following whiz by them with only the two men in civilian clothes in it. - -"Oh, there goes the mystery man!" Jo Ann exclaimed. "He's going the -Laredo road. I wish I could follow and see if anything happens to him." - -Miss Prudence spoke up quickly: "We're not going to follow anybody who's -expecting to be murdered any minute. We'd better go the Brownsville road. -Back to that filling station and ask if the road's good." - -Jo Ann obediently backed the car to the filling station, though a queer -feeling now possessed her that she ought to have kept on the Laredo road. -"I can't help feeling as worried over that man as if I'd known him for a -long time," she told herself. "I wonder if I'll ever see him again." - -By this time Miss Prudence was talking to the service-station man about -the road. - -"I think the road's okay, but"--he nodded toward a man in uniform--"he'll -know. He's a coast guard and goes back and forth often that way. He's -waiting to catch a ride to Brownsville now." - -Miss Prudence inspected the tall blond young man closely, then remarked -low-voiced, "It might be a good idea to have him go with us: coast guards -are used to protecting people." - -"I hope she asks him to ride with us," Jo Ann whispered to Florence. "He -might know about the mystery man, since he's been riding in the car with -him." - -The next moment Miss Prudence gestured to the coast guard, who promptly -hurried over to the car and in answer to her questions began praising the -road and the beauty of the valley. - -"Californians could learn how to boost higher and better from him," Jo -Ann thought, smiling. "Miss Prudence'll be sure to go now." - -She was right. Miss Prudence promptly decided to go to Brownsville and -asked the coast guard to accompany them. To make room for him on the -front seat, she ordered Carlitos and Florence to exchange places. - -"You're the sandwich filling now," Jo Ann laughingly told Carlitos, as he -slipped in beside her. - -Carlitos smiled doubtfully. From the expression on her face he knew she -must be joking, but he could not understand the point. - -After she had explained it to him, she told the curious coast guard -briefly how it was that Carlitos, though an American by birth, was just -beginning to speak English. The guard, proud of his newly learned -Spanish, began talking in that language to Carlitos, much to his joy and -to Miss Prudence's disapproval. - -At the first break in their conversation Jo Ann quickly recounted to the -guard the strange telephone conversation she had overheard in the hotel -and ended tentatively, "I believe that man I overheard was one of those -men whose car you were in." - -"You're probably right," the guard replied. "I'd never seen either of -those men before they picked me up, but they told me they'd been chasing -some smugglers who'd been bringing in dope and gold across the Mexican -border. I shouldn't like to be in those men's shoes. Those smugglers -belong to a desperate gang who're as cold-blooded as snakes. They'd as -soon kill anyone as not." - -"With as many officers as we have, it looks as if they could stop that -smuggling," Jo Ann replied. - -The guard shook his head. "Easier said than done. When we get to -Brownsville, I'll show you just one of the smugglers' many tricks--how -some of the boldest bring dope and gold across the bridge there, closely -guarded as it is. Smugglers have whole bags of such tricks." - -"Be sure to show us that. It'll be interesting to find out first hand -about smugglers." - -Though it was dark when they reached Brownsville, Jo Ann reminded the -guard of his promise as he was about to get out of the car near the -International Bridge. - -"Sure, I'll show you if you want to see," he answered. "It's black as -pitch under the bridge now, and you'll get a better idea of how the -smuggling's done." - -Jo Ann turned to Miss Prudence and rapidly explained that the guard was -going to show them how some of the smuggling was carried on across the -border. - -Miss Prudence raised her eyebrows in disapproval. "I hardly think you -girls need any information along such lines. Of course, it's probably a -little interesting--in a way--to see how smuggling could be carried on -right under our custom officials' noses, but----" - -Jo Ann smiled to herself. Miss Prudence was as curious to know about -smuggling methods as she was. "She'll consent--after she objects a -while." - -Jo Ann was right. Finally, after protesting a few more minutes, Miss -Prudence gave her permission, and all five followed the guard below the -bridge. Blinded by the sudden change from the lighted street, they -stumbled along in the darkness, half terrified at their daring. - -"The river's very low now," the guard explained. "Anyone can manage to -crawl down the bank and get out a long way under the bridge and hide. -Just before the smuggler, coming from the Mexican side, nears the -appointed place, he whistles his signal to his confederate waiting under -the bridge, then tosses his package over the railing to him." - -"There might be some of those smugglers here this very instant," Miss -Prudence whispered nervously. "Let's go back." - -"They might think we're spying on them and shoot us," added Peggy. - -Jo Ann heard the amused note in the guard's voice as he answered, "There -won't be any smuggling going on this early in the evening." - -"But it's pitch dark," Miss Prudence put in. - -"And terribly scary," added Florence, grabbing Jo Ann by the arm. "Come -on." - -Even though Jo Ann was reluctant to leave this fascinating spot, she too -felt more comfortable when they climbed back up the bank and out on the -lighted sidewalk again. Her thoughts centered once more on the mystery -man whose work kept his life endangered by smugglers. - -"I hope he breaks up that gang of smugglers without losing his life," she -told herself. - -After they had said good-by to the coast guard, they went to the nearest -hotel. - -"The first thing we've got to do now," Jo Ann said while they were being -whisked up in the elevator, "is to phone Lucile and tell her we're here." - -"She'll be sure to invite us to her house to dinner tonight," put in -Peggy, her eyes shining with anticipation. - -"Won't it be nice to be together again?" added Florence. - -As soon as Jo Ann had succeeded in getting Lucile on the telephone, Peggy -and Florence listened eagerly to the one-sided conversation and tried to -guess the other side. - -Lucile's eager voice came back quickly in answer to Jo Ann with an -invitation for all five to spend the night at her home. "You've arrived -at the right moment," she went on. "Edna is visiting me and I'm having a -little dinner party for her tonight." - -Jo Ann refused the first part of the invitation, explaining that they had -already secured their rooms at the hotel. "We'll be delighted to come to -your dinner party, though," she added. - -Miss Prudence broke in quickly with an emphatic, "Tell her it'll be -impossible for me and Carlitos to come. I'm too tired to go another step -anywhere. If they'll come after you girls and bring you back, it'll be -all right for you to go without me." - -Jo Ann relayed this message to Lucile, ending, "We'll be ready when you -get here." - - - - - CHAPTER IV - PRESSING DIFFICULTIES - - -After Jo Ann had finished talking to Lucile, Florence and Peggy asked -together, "Is it a real party she's having? Will we have to dress up?" - -"Yes, we'll have to wear dinner dresses, of course. We'll have to speed, -too, if we're to be ready when she gets here." - -"Oh, I'm afraid my blue crepe'll be a mass of wrinkles," Peggy exclaimed -as she hurried over and began unpacking her clothes. - -"Get my dress--the pink taffeta--out, too," Jo Ann called out on her way -to the bathroom. "It's in your suitcase. I'll have my bath in two jiffies -and be in my dress in another one." - -When she reappeared in the room a few minutes later, garbed in a negligee -whose rose color matched her fresh glowing cheeks, she found that Miss -Prudence and Carlitos had gone to the dining room and that Florence and -Peggy were standing lamenting over the wrinkled state of their dinner -dresses. - -"Our dresses are terribly rumpled, and yours is the worst of the three," -Peggy remarked with a worried frown. "I hate for us to disgrace Lucile by -coming to her party looking like wrecks of the Hesperus." - -"We won't have time to send them out to a pressing shop or even to the -maid here in the hotel--we'd never get them back in time to wear," added -Florence. - -"Oh, stop worrying!" Jo Ann sang out, as she ran the comb through her -curls. "I'll press all three dresses while you're getting your baths. You -have a small electric iron in your bag, didn't you say, Florence?" - -"Yes. It's really a toy that I'm taking as a present to one of the little -girls in my neighborhood. The cord's so short--I doubt if you can use the -iron." - -"Get it out and I'll use it all right." Jo Ann's voice was confident. - -When Florence handed the iron to her and she saw how short the cord was, -she began to feel dubious, though her determination did not waver. She'd -manage some way. After a hasty look about the room she saw there was only -one usable light socket in the room--the high ceiling one above the bed. - -"I'll have to attach the iron to that socket." She pointed to the ceiling -light. - -Florence looked at the diminutive cord and laughed. "You can't do it." - -"If you'll hold me steady, you'll see." Jo Ann climbed up on the foot of -the bed. "Hold my legs, now." She stood tiptoe on this perch and after -many efforts succeeded in putting the plug into one of the center -sockets. - -That done, she stepped down on a newspaper on the bed, but to her -disappointment she saw that the cord lacked at least four feet. - -Peggy and Florence burst into giggles at the funny sight of Jo Ann -holding the iron in midair. - -"Stop giggling, sillies, and do something, quick. This iron's getting -hot, and I'm getting tired holding it. Get that table over there and put -it up here on the bed. Hurry!" - -The two girls rushed over to the table, jerked off the water pitcher and -glasses, and then carried it over and lifted it on top of the bed. The -iron still hung at least two feet above the table. - -"Oh gee!" wailed Jo Ann. "Get something else to put on top of the table. -Step on it! Don't run around in circles like a puppy after its tail, -Peg." - -"Thanks for the beautiful comparison," Peggy grinned. "You're equally -funny looking yourself, springing up and down on that bed every time you -move." - -"Can't help springing. It's the springiest bed in all Texas." - -By that time Florence had brought over the low luggage stool and placed -it on top of the table. But even with its added height there were several -inches between it and the iron. - -"There's nothing else to put on top of that--except the dresser," called -out Peggy between giggles. "Oh yes, maybe the telephone book'll help." -She ran over with it and several magazines and piled them on top of the -luggage stand. - -"Attaboy!" Jo Ann ejaculated triumphantly as she set the iron down on the -magazines. "Now bring me something for an ironing-board cover and the -dresses." - -In a few more minutes she was ironing away energetically, swaying back -and forth in her efforts to keep her balance on the springy bed. "Stop -staring at me and giggling and get dressed, you sillies. What's so funny -now?" - -"I was just wondering what the manager'd say if he'd come in and catch -you ironing," grinned Peggy. "It's against the rules to iron in a -room--at least, it is in all the hotels I've ever heard of." - -Jo Ann flushed guiltily. Noticing that the sliding wood panel of the door -was down and that someone might be able to peer between the slats of the -blinds at the screened top, she implored Peggy to slide the panel up. -Peggy obediently pushed the panel up as commanded, but no sooner had she -turned away than it slipped down with a crash like a pistol shot. - -Both girls jumped in alarm, and Jo Ann almost tumbled off the bed. - -"Now we're in for it!" Jo Ann gasped. "Someone'll think we're shooting in -here and will come to investigate. Shove that panel up again--quick. Push -a chair against it to hold it in place." - -After a few minutes had passed and no one had come to investigate, Jo Ann -breathed more freely. Just as she was complimenting herself on coming to -the finishing touches of her pressing, there came a sudden knocking at -the door. Jo Ann was petrified. Was it the manager? She shook her head -vigorously at Peggy, who was starting to open the door. - -The next moment the door was rattled violently. Simultaneously the panel -banged down again. - -From the hall there sounded a woman's shrill voice. - -"Miss Prudence!" the girls gasped. - -"Open the door this instant, Peg, and get her inside before someone else -comes," Jo Ann ordered. - -The moment Miss Prudence stepped inside and saw Jo Ann perched on top of -the bed, ironing, she stared in amazement. As soon as she had recovered -from her first surprise, she burst out, "What does this mean? Don't you -know it's against the rules to iron in your room? I've never stayed in a -hotel anywhere that allowed ironing in the rooms. We'll get in trouble -yet--besides having to pay extra money. You'd better stop this instant." - -"But I'm most through now," Jo Ann replied meekly. "In a few minutes I'll -have my dress finished." - -"But just suppose the manager should knock on the door and catch you on -top of the bed like this?" - -As Miss Prudence was still worrying when Florence had finished dressing, -she decided to see for herself what the hotel rules said about ironing. -She walked over and began glancing at the printed rules hanging on the -wall by the telephone. - -A few moments later she stopped reading and burst into peals of laughter. -"Oh, girls!" she exclaimed after she had checked her mirth a little. -"This is rich! Funniest thing I've ever heard. The rules say----" She -stopped and broke into uncontrollable laughter again. - -Peggy ran over to read the rule that was causing Florence so much -amusement. Then she too began to laugh, stopping only long enough to -exclaim, "Oh--this is killing!" - -"What's the joke? What on earth does that say?" Jo Ann demanded. - -Peggy checked her laughter long enough to answer, "It says when a -guest--wishes to iron--to call the office, and ironing board--and iron'll -be sent up immediately." - -Jo Ann's jaw dropped, as did Miss Prudence's. Their expressions were so -ridiculous that Florence and Peggy continued laughing till the tears -rolled down their cheeks. - -After an amazed, "And to think I could've had a real iron and board for -the asking!" Jo Ann began laughing equally merrily. - -They were all still smiling broadly several minutes later when they went -down to the lobby to meet Lucile and her mother, who were waiting for -them there. - -The dinner party turned out to be a great success, and the girls did not -return to the hotel till almost eleven o'clock. - -"It's my turn to sleep with Miss Prudence," Peggy remarked on entering -the other girls' room, "but I'm scared to go in there and wake her up -this late. She'd think it an unearthly hour." She stopped talking and -smiled over at the girls. "Aren't you going to be polite and ask me to -sleep with you? You'd better, because I'm going to, invitation or no -invitation." - -With a mock groan Jo Ann looked at the double bed and then at Peggy. -"Say, Florence," she remarked finally, "I feel sorry for ourselves, don't -you?" - -"Put her in the middle where she can take the consequences," suggested -Florence, her eyes twinkling. - -Jo Ann grimaced. "The consequences'll probably be that you and I'll be -out on the floor before the night's over." - -After much subdued giggling and chatter the three girls finally climbed -into bed and drifted off to sleep. - -About five o'clock the next morning they were aroused by someone knocking -at the door. - -Peggy waked with a start. "Someone knocking! Maybe the hotel's afire and -they're trying to rouse us!" darted through her mind. - -She flung off the covers, tumbled over the sleeping Jo Ann, and rushed to -the door to find an anxious-faced Miss Prudence. - -"Thank goodness you're here, Peggy," Miss Prudence exclaimed. "I just -woke up and found you weren't in my room, and I was so alarmed! Are the -other girls here?" She snapped on the light and stood blinking at the -frightened Florence and Jo Ann, who by this time were sitting up in bed, -trying to figure out what had happened. - -"Now that you're all awake you might as well dress, so we can get an -early start," Miss Prudence announced crisply. - -Jo Ann groaned audibly and sank back in the bed. - -"Isn't it only about two or three o'clock?" Florence asked hesitatingly. - -"Mercy, no! It's after five. It takes you girls so long to dress that -it'll be six or half past before you'll be ready." - -"Oh, but I'm so--so sleepy!" Peggy yawned. "Five o'clock's an awful hour -to get up." - -Miss Prudence eyed her severely. "You stayed up too late last night, -probably. Just dash some cold water in your face--that'll wake you." She -added with a whimsical note in her voice, "Perhaps I'd better do it for -you--and sprinkle some on Florence and Jo Ann, too." - -"Oh, have a heart, Miss Prudence!" Jo Ann begged, burrowing her head -under the covers. - -Seeing that Miss Prudence was in earnest about the early start and was -going to stay there to see that they did get up and dress, Florence and -Jo Ann reluctantly slipped out of bed. - -"When we reach the mine, I'm going to sleep and sleep to make up for all -this lost time," Jo Ann murmured to the girls between yawns as she was -dressing. - -"Maybe you'll even sleep through the siesta hour--you couldn't learn that -trick last summer, it seemed," Peggy replied. "I take to sleeping the way -Miss Prudence does to getting up with the chickens. Maybe the tropical -heat'll make her more sleepy-headed down there." - -Florence smiled. "Here's hoping it will." - - - - - CHAPTER V - THE HIDDEN CAR - - -Once they were in the car and on their way, winding along the Rio Grande -and breathing in the fresh, invigorating morning air, they felt better -about having had to start so early. - -"We'll make the city early this afternoon, at this rate," Peggy remarked. -"That'll give us time to do a little sightseeing. I wish we didn't have -to go clear to Laredo before we cross the river. I'm eager to get on -Mexican soil right away." - -"That's the way with me," Jo Ann added. "I wish there were a short cut -somewhere. It seems as if there ought to be." - -When, two hours later, they stopped at a filling station in a little town -to get some gas, and Jo Ann made this same remark to the service man, he -looked puzzled and merely nodded his head. Florence, realizing that he -understood little English, began questioning him in Spanish. - -All smiles on hearing his native language, he answered at once, "_Si_, -there is a bridge you can cross here. They are putting in a new highway -across the desert, which joins the main highway from Laredo." - -"_Bien._ I think we shall go that way," Florence replied. "It will save -us much time, will it not?" - -"_Si_--a little. It is about a hundred kilometers less, that way." - -Florence smiled. "That is very good." Now that she was so close to the -country where her parents lived she was growing more and more eager to -get home. - -"That desert road doesn't sound good to me," Miss Prudence put in, -shaking her gray head vigorously. "It's probably impassable. Ask him if -it's any worse than this one. I certainly don't want to get stranded in -the desert." - -Florence obediently relayed her question. - -"If there isn't any rain"--the man grinned and shrugged his -shoulders--"you can drive through all right." - -Florence translated to Miss Prudence what he had said and added, "The -rainy season doesn't begin till September. We're not likely to have rain. -Look at the sky!" She gestured to the cloudless expanse of blue above -them. - -"It's so dry and hot now it's hard to believe it ever rains in this -forsaken country." Miss Prudence hesitated a moment, then went on, "If -we'll save that much distance through this awful country, maybe we'd -better try it." - -"Grand!" ejaculated all three girls together. - -"Ah, how good!" sang out Carlitos in Spanish. - -While Miss Prudence was still pointing out the country's bad points, Jo -Ann followed the man's directions and turned into the side road leading -across the toll bridge. With little difficulty she steered the car down -the narrow road, not stopping till they reached the bridge. - -As soon as they had passed over the middle of the bridge, the girls and -Carlitos, to Miss Prudence's evident disapproval, exclaimed joyously, -"We're in Mexico now! _Viva_ Mexico! _Viva_ Mexico!" - -As both Florence and Carlitos spoke Spanish fluently, it did not take -them long to answer the questions asked by the customs officials on the -Mexican side, and so they were soon permitted to drive on. They had not -left the river far behind before the vegetation began to change again to -the typical desert varieties, mesquite, chaparral, cacti--especially the -prickly pear and many other thorn-bearing kinds. - -Miss Prudence expressed her opinion by saying in a disgusted tone, -"Desolation itself. I never saw so much land going to waste." - -"But just think how fertile and productive the land is after it's -irrigated," observed Florence. - -Miss Prudence passed over Florence's comment without a word and went on -to scold about the condition of the road. "And that man called this a -good road. I'd call it a series of gullies. It's practically impassable. -If it should rain----" - -"It won't, don't worry," comforted Florence. - -On account of the many washed-out places in the road, Jo Ann found that -she had to drive in low gear frequently. As a result the engine soon -became overheated and steam began to pour out in jets from the radiator. - -"Oh, gee!" she ejaculated. "I'll have to stop now and get some water and -put it in the radiator." She drew her brows together into a frown. -"Where'll I get the water? We haven't a drop with us. Of all the -tenderfeet, I'm the biggest and greenest." - -"We'll have to drive all the way back to the river--or maybe we can find -a water hole down toward the river. We might walk down that gully a piece -and see." Florence pointed to the deep cut leading toward the river. - -"All right." Jo Ann drew the car up to one side of the road and stopped. - -"What's the matter?" Miss Prudence called out anxiously. - -"Nothing except our radiator's thirsty. I'm going down here and see if I -can find some water for it." She reached down and picked up a tin bucket -off the floor. "Who wants to go with me?" - -"I'll go," Florence replied. - -After eying the thick thorny vegetation on all sides, Peggy shook her -head. "Not I. I'd feel as if I were being electrocuted, walking through -all those thorns and stickers." - -As Jo Ann and Florence were picking their way gingerly along the rocky -gully, Jo Ann exclaimed, "Why, look! Here're some automobile tracks, and -here's one that looks as if it'd been made just recently. I can't imagine -anyone's being able to get much farther down here." - -"Nor I." - -When they had gone several yards farther, Jo Ann noticed that the car -tracks led up the sloping left side of the gully. All at once she spied a -car hidden behind some bushes up on the edge of the gully. - -"Look, there's the car!" she exclaimed, low-voiced, pointing to it. "Up -there behind that mesquite. Looks as if someone's tried to hide it there. -Something queer about that--suspicious. I'd like to go up and peek inside -it." - -"Well, I for one am not going up to investigate." Florence caught Jo Ann -by the hand and pulled her along as fast as she could through the maze of -thorny plants. "You have entirely too much curiosity." - -"It's enough to make anyone wonder, to find a car hidden in such a -desolate spot. Maybe"--she whispered her next word--"smugglers've hidden -it there. I'm going up and----" - -"Oh, please don't--please----" Florence tugged at Jo Ann's arm, but in -vain. - -Jo Ann turned back and started up the slope. - -"Well, if you're bound to go, I might as well go, too. I'm not going to -stay here alone." After this whispered reply Florence began following -her. - -Without speaking another word the two girls climbed on up the slope. -Cautiously they peeked through the mesquite and chaparral to see if they -could notice anyone in or around the car. - -As soon as they were satisfied that there was no one in sight, Jo Ann -made her way up to the old Ford and peered inside, Florence close behind. - -Both girls opened their eyes wide on seeing the quantities of pottery and -baskets piled in the back of the car. - -Just as Jo Ann was about to whisper to Florence that she believed the car -belonged to smugglers, she suddenly noticed that there was steam jetting -out from the radiator. She pointed meaningly to the steam. - -Florence caught the point immediately. Since the engine was still hot the -car must have been hidden there only a few minutes before. Without saying -a word she indicated to Jo Ann that they must hurry away. - -Jo Ann lingered for one long keen-eyed look at the battered old car and -especially at the license tag. She was determined to be able to identify -the car if she should see it again. She felt that there was something -mysterious about its being hidden there. A moment later she followed -Florence back down the slope. Silently they continued on down the gully. - -On noticing a path leading upward a few yards ahead on the left, Jo Ann -opened her lips to remark about it. Before she could utter a word, a -man's angry voice floated down, speaking rapidly in Spanish. What was it -he was saying? Something about---- - -Florence caught hold of her hand in a convulsive clutch, and she turned -to see Florence's eyes dilated in terror. - -Simultaneously a second voice sounded, with an even more angry ring in -it. - -"Hurry! Let's run!" Florence breathed. - -To Florence's consternation, Jo Ann darted straight up the path. Just -before reaching the top she halted and peered cautiously in the direction -of the men's voices, then scurried silently back. - -Together the two ran up the gully, not even halting when thorns tore -Florence's skirt and scratched a red gash in one of Jo Ann's legs. - -"Those men must've said something terrible to scare Florence this way," -Jo Ann thought as she ran. "All I could make out were the words 'money' -and 'thief.'" - -On the two rushed, with only a hurried glance backward now and then. - -When at last, panting and puffing, they reached the road, Jo Ann gasped, -"What'd--they say?" - -"The first one said--'he's a thief--cheating us--I'm going to kill him.'" - -"Wh-ew!" Jo Ann ejaculated while Florence was catching her breath. "The -other--what'd he say?" - -"He said, 'I'll help--you kill him.' Then he said--something about some -packages weighing more than his enemy had paid them for." - -"Did he say what was in the packages?" - -"No." - -"I believe those men are smugglers, don't you?" - -Florence nodded. "I feel sure they are." - -"Do you suppose they belong to that gang of smugglers the mystery man was -after?" - -"Hard to say." - -"I believe I'll know those men if I ever see them again--their car, too." -Jo Ann threw another hasty glance over her shoulder. "We'd better get -away from this place soon as possible." - -"But the engine's so hot--and we haven't any water." - -"Here's hoping the engine's cooled off by now." - -When they reached the car, Jo Ann glanced anxiously to see if the steam -were still rising. - -"Thank goodness!" she murmured as she saw there was no sign of misty -vapor rising from the radiator. "We'll get away from this spot in a -hurry." - -When they reached the car, Peggy called out, "We'd decided you'd tumbled -into a water hole or the Rio Grande and drowned. What kept you so long?" - -"Er--we----" began Florence. - -Jo Ann broke in hurriedly with, "We couldn't find any water." - -"What'll we do?" Miss Prudence spoke up quickly. "We can't go on without -water, can we?" - -"Yes, the engine's cooled enough by now." - -"But it would be the height of folly to start out on a desert road -without water." - -By that time Jo Ann had started the car, but not before both she and -Florence had looked anxiously toward the gully. - -"Something happened down in that gully that scared them," Peggy told -herself knowingly on noticing their anxious side glances and the excited -expression in their eyes. "As soon as I get them off to themselves, I'm -going to find out." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - A FAMILIAR FACE - - -It was with the keenest relief that Jo Ann managed to start the car and -drive away before the men appeared. She was not alone in feeling -relieved. - -Florence's taut body relaxed, and she remarked, in a low tone, "That was -a narrow escape. If those men'd seen us, no telling----" She left her -sentence unfinished. - -Jo Ann nodded understandingly. Those men would have been more angry than -ever if they had known that she and Florence had been listening to them -and peeking into their car. It was too bad she and Florence couldn't have -got some water, but she would far rather run the risk of finding water -elsewhere than for those men to have discovered them there. - -Florence seemed to have read her thoughts as she remarked the next -moment, "Surely we'll be able to find some water soon. We've just got to -get some before we go much farther." - -The engine soon began to boil again, and Jo Ann was almost in despair. -"Now what'll we do?" - -The next instant Florence cried excitedly, "There's a water carrier! We -can get water from him." - -"You mean that donkey cart jogging ahead there with the barrel on it?" - -"Yes. The Mexican's carrying water to some ranch house or village, and -maybe we can get him to sell us some." - -In a flurry of dust Jo Ann stopped the car beside the cart, and Florence -called out in Spanish to the old wrinkled water carrier, "_Buenos tardes, -senor_. Will you sell us a little water?" - -At the sound of Florence's voice the lazy burro promptly stopped, and the -man stood peering at them from under his big sombrero. - -"See," Florence went on, "we need water for our car. Will you sell us -some?" - -"_Muy bien._" He nodded his head and reached for the bucket Jo Ann was -holding out to him. - -"Thank my stars someone knows where to get water in this awful desert!" -Miss Prudence exclaimed, feeling relieved at sight of the water. "Do you -suppose that is the only way the people have of getting water out here, -Florence?" - -"Probably so." - -"Well, I'd certainly hate to live here! Imagine having to drink that -water! And washing dishes and clothes in a thimbleful of water wouldn't -suit me at all, either. I have the whole Atlantic Ocean right at the edge -of my home in Massachusetts." - -Florence smiled at the contrast of life in the desert and on the -seacoast. - -After they had filled the radiator and their thermos jug with the -precious fluid, they drove off, the girls and Carlitos all calling a -smiling "_adios_" to the water carrier. - -A little later, at the old stone house on the edge of the village, they -were halted and their passports examined. As they were waiting for one of -the men to look over the papers Carlitos and Florence talked in Spanish -to the other man. Jo Ann half smiled to herself as she noticed Miss -Prudence's evident disapproval at seeing Carlitos's delight on finding -someone with whom to speak Spanish. - -Catching Jo Ann's expression, Miss Prudence remarked crisply, "I can't -get used to having a foreigner for a nephew. I have my doubts if he'll -ever get to be a genuine American." - -"I wish I knew Spanish as well as he does. I love the language--it's -beautiful," Jo Ann replied. "I'd be glad, if I were you, that he knows -it; maybe he'll soon be speaking English as easily as Spanish." - -"I hope so." - -As Jo Ann drove the car slowly through the narrow streets of the quaint -old village, the girls gazed interestedly at the adobe and stone houses -and the picturesque church with its bell tower. From behind half-closed -doors they caught glimpses of dark, eager faces peering at them. A moment -later the road sloped down an abrupt hill, and there was nothing to be -seen but the bleak expanse of desert. - -"There's a weird beauty about the desert," Peggy commented thoughtfully -to Florence as she gazed at the vast stretch of silvery grays and tawny -browns which were rolled out before them and silhouetted against the deep -blue of the sky. - -"I've decided there's no spot on earth where there isn't beauty of some -description. I agree with you that the desert has its share of -loveliness." - -"And it has its share of washes and gullies too," spoke up Miss Prudence -as the car suddenly dipped into a deep cut which jolted them vigorously -from side to side. - -About an hour later, Carlitos suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, look--the -mountains! See, over there!" - -The other four stared in the southwesterly direction in which he was -pointing, and soon all were able to distinguish the low irregular purple -line of mountains. - -"The sight of those mountains thrills me," declared Florence with a -joyous exultation that the other girls and Carlitos shared. "Just think! -Back of that line there's another higher range, then another." - -From then on they watched the mountains become more and more distinct, -the deep purple changing into a soft, mauve-tinted gray, while the -distant ranges gradually came into view, their lofty majestic peaks -cloud-wreathed. - -When at last they reached the main paved highway, Miss Prudence's -expression brightened. "Thank my stars we're on a good road at last!" - -"Oh boy! What a road!" cried Jo Ann as she turned into the smooth-paved -highway. - -The miles seemed to fly by, and almost before she realized it they had -reached the first mountain range and begun to climb the walled-in highway -which wound back and forth up the mountain side. - -So intent was Jo Ann upon keeping the car close to the cliffs, she could -catch only fleeting glimpses of the valley below and of the road beyond -as it threaded its way higher and higher. The other four, however, had -plenty of time to drink in the majestic beauty of the scenery. - -Several times Miss Prudence became alarmed over Jo Ann's ability to -manage Jitters and started to caution her, but each time Peggy broke in -with such warm praises of Jo Ann's driving that she subsided. "Jo never -lets her nerves run away with her," Peggy declared. "She always keeps her -head in emergencies, like the good scout that she is." - -"She may be able to keep her nerves from running away, but can she keep -this old Ford from running amuck?" Miss Prudence came back sharply. - -"Sure. Jitters is hitting on all four--humming along like a--well, maybe -not like a Cadillac, exactly, but at least like a much better car." - -In spite of Peggy's encouragement Miss Prudence did not cease to be -nervous till they reached a more level stretch. - -When at last they came in sight of the city, the girls' and Carlitos's -excitement reached the boiling point. - -"Now I can speak de Spanish in de city," exulted Carlitos, oblivious of -Miss Prudence's frown. - -"Oh, don't you hope the band plays tonight so we can promenade around the -Plaza?" exclaimed Peggy. "That's the most fun! The lovely music--those -beautiful dark-eyed senoritas--and, oh, those handsome men! Light of my -eyes! Pride of my heart!" Peggy placed her hand over her heart in a -ridiculously exaggerated gesture that sent Florence into peals of -laughter. - -Suddenly remembering that Peggy's exaggerated acting might have been -misunderstood by Miss Prudence, Florence hastily checked her mirth and -remarked, "Peggy doesn't mean anything by her raving. She's perfectly -harmless." - -On nearing the outskirts of the city Miss Prudence suggested to Florence -that, as she was familiar with the hotels, she choose the best one and -drive directly to it. "When I say choose the best one, I mean the most -modern one," she explained. - -"There's a beautiful new one just built recently that I know you'll -like," Florence replied, then added, "I'd better drive the rest of the -way, as I'm familiar with the city and the narrow one-way streets." - -Jo Ann stopped the car saying, "I'm glad to turn the wheel over to you. -I'd get all mixed up on the one-way streets and go in the wrong direction -every time, since all the signs are in Spanish." - -With eyes eager and shining, the four young people viewed the streets, -the shops and houses, and the crowds in the downtown section. - -When Florence stopped the car in front of the city's most modern hotel, -Miss Prudence went with Florence and Peggy to see about rooms while Jo -Ann stayed in the car with Carlitos. - -A smiling little black-eyed Mexican newsboy ran up to the car to try to -sell them a paper, and Carlitos promptly bought one; not that he wanted -to read it, but because he wanted to talk to a real Mexican boy once -more. He was still chatting with him in a lively flow of Spanish when -Miss Prudence came back. At first she frowned in disapproval, then began -to smile. "I might as well be resigned to having a little Mexican for a -nephew," she remarked to Jo Ann. "Carlitos loves Mexican people and their -language." - -"I do, too," Jo Ann replied. "Spanish is such a beautiful language, and -the people here--why, there aren't any friendlier, more smiling people -anywhere in the world." - -As soon as they had gone up to their cheerful, airy hotel rooms, bathed -and dressed, it was time for supper. At Florence's suggestion they went -to an old restaurant with a more distinctive Mexican atmosphere and -cookery than the hotel had. The girls, as well as Carlitos, thoroughly -enjoyed ordering from a menu card written in both Spanish and English. - -Miss Prudence smiled whimsically as she glanced at the card and remarked -to Florence and Carlitos, "You two may order your food in Spanish, but -not I." Her smile suddenly disappeared on noticing the high prices: -"Scrambled eggs--forty cents," she read. "Why, that's terrible!" - -"But that's in Mexican money," laughed Florence. "That's only about -thirteen cents in American." - -Miss Prudence nodded. "O-oh! I see. I'd forgotten about that." - -It was a delicious meal that the alert, polite waiter brought them, and -even Miss Prudence, who at first was dubious about Mexican cookery's -comparing favorably with New England's, praised it enthusiastically. - -Florence and Carlitos, though, enjoyed it most of all. - -"That _chocolate_ is the best I've had since I left Mexico last fall," -Florence declared, while Carlitos was all smiles over the _frijoles_ and -_chile con carne_. - -When they left the restaurant, it was twilight, and they could hear the -band in the little park, or plaza, as it was called, playing an old -Mexican air. - -"Oh, let's go to the Plaza now and promenade!" exclaimed Peggy eagerly. -"I adore walking around and around the square with the crowds." - -"Yes, let's," agreed Florence. "You want to go, too, don't you, Jo Ann?" - -"Of course. I may let you girls do the strolling around while I sit on -one of the spectators' benches and----" - -"Pooh!" scoffed Peggy. "You're no Methuselah. You'll have to promenade -too. When you're in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do, my dear." Realizing -that Miss Prudence had not given her consent to their plan, she began -explaining how the Mexican girls walked slowly round and round the -square, while the boys walked equally as slowly on the inside in the -opposite direction, exchanging smiles and a few words now and then but -not stopping. "And chaperons! I never saw so many. You won't have seen -Mexico unless you see this scene." - -Miss Prudence smiled. "That being the case, I'll have to go with you." - -As soon as they had reached the Plaza, Miss Prudence and Carlitos found -seats, and the three girls joined the laughing, dark-eyed senoritas, -mingling with them and feeling a warm kinship--a oneness with them. - -Jo Ann, having been the one on the outside, found her attention centered -on the spectators sitting or standing near the curb rather than on the -boys on the inside of the Plaza. - -Just as she reached one of the corners, she caught a sudden glimpse of a -familiar face in the crowd in the background. Her heart leaped. There was -the mystery man! The very man to whom she had listened in the hotel in -Houston. Thank goodness, he hadn't lost his life! - -As she slowed her steps to look over her shoulder at him to assure -herself that she was not mistaken, Florence pulled her along saying, "No -fair stopping--you're blocking the line." - -"Yes, but I just saw the mystery man on that corner, and I----" - -"Jo! I declare you must have that man on your mind. You're probably -imagining that it's he. Someone resembling him, perhaps it was." - -"No--no! It was he. When we get back around to that corner I'll point him -out to you." - -"Who's that you're going to point out, Jo?" broke in Peggy. - -"The mystery man! I've just seen him. I wish you didn't have to keep -going in the same direction." - -Jo Ann could scarcely wait to get back to that corner. It seemed miles -around the square to her this time. When at last she reached the corner -again, she gazed eagerly about for the stalwart, keen-eyed stranger, but -he was not to be seen anywhere. - -"Oh, shoot! He's gone!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "And I wanted to tell -him about those smugglers we saw back there in the desert." - - - - - CHAPTER VII - "WE MUST GET AN EARLY START" - - -Peggy stretched her eyes wide. "Smugglers! You actually saw some -smugglers in the desert?" - -"Sh! Not so loud," Jo Ann warned, low-voiced. "We think they were -smugglers, but of course we can't be absolutely certain." - -"So that was what you and Florence were so excited about when you came -back to the car out there in the desert. Hurry up and tell me all about -it." - -"We can't--not here, with all these people around. Wait till we get to -the hotel; then we'll tell you everything, won't we, Florence?" - -Florence nodded assent. - -After a second time around the Plaza without seeing the mystery man, Jo -Ann was more disappointed than ever. - -When they reached the place where Miss Prudence and Carlitos were -sitting, Miss Prudence gestured to them to step from the line and come to -her side. "Girls," she began as soon as they walked over, "I think we'd -better leave now and go on back to the hotel. You know the trip tomorrow -up the mountains to the mine is bound to be a very hard one. We must get -an early start in the morning." - -On hearing these familiar words, "get an early start," the girls -exchanged swift glances but succeeded in keeping sober expressions on -their faces. - -Peggy protested lightly, "This music is so lovely, I hate to leave it." - -"You'll be able to hear it from your room at the hotel--it's so close -by," Miss Prudence replied. - -"Peggy likes to promenade as well as to hear the music," Florence put in, -teasing. - -"She'll have other opportunities to promenade, probably." - -"Yes," put in Florence. "The mine is not so far away but what we can come -back here at least a few times this summer." - -Miss Prudence rose from the bench and started toward the hotel, the girls -following, but not without several backward glances at the fascinating -Plaza and the gay young crowd. - -Peggy would not have followed as meekly if it had not been that she was -eager to hear Florence's and Jo Ann's tale about the smugglers. Jo Ann, -too, would not have been so willing to go if it had not been that the -mystery man had disappeared and she now felt that she would not get a -chance to tell him about the smugglers. - -When they reached the hotel, Florence, who was to be Miss Prudence's -roommate, went on with Jo Ann and Peggy to their room, explaining to Miss -Prudence that she would come to bed shortly. - -As soon as Peggy had closed the door of their room, she ordered, "Tell -that tale about the smugglers from beginning to end. I knew something -exciting had happened to you back there in the desert, and I don't know -why I forgot to ask about it sooner unless it was because I was so -interested in getting to the city." - -Jo Ann, with Florence's frequent promptings, quickly recounted the -details about the hidden car, its contents, and the men's angry -conversation. - -"Wh-ew, I'm glad I didn't go with you after the water," Peggy exclaimed -when they had finished. "I'd have been sure to have shrieked or squealed, -and they'd have discovered me. One thing I don't understand, though, is -what makes you so certain they were smugglers. The fact that they had -baskets and pottery in their car doesn't prove that they were trying to -take them across the border without paying duty, does it?" - -"No," Jo Ann replied. "Think what a good blind the pottery and baskets -would be! It would look as if the men were regular merchants buying -Mexican wares for the trade in the States, wouldn't it?" - -Peggy nodded. - -"Then think how easy it'd be to conceal dope or gold in the jars and -vases and baskets. It's dope or gold--or both--they're probably -smuggling. The chances are the packages the men complained about not -being weighed correctly held one or both of those articles." - -"That's so. Those are the things the coast guard said were smuggled most -frequently." - -"I'm not going to be satisfied till I see my mystery man again," Jo Ann -went on earnestly. "I could tell him the exact spot where we'd seen that -hidden car, and that might be the very bit of information he needs to be -able to catch the men." - -"I shouldn't be at all surprised if those men belong to the gang that -man's trying to break up. I wish, Jo, you could see that mystery man and -tell him all this, but in this big city"--Florence shook her head -dubiously--"your chances of seeing him again are small." - -Jo Ann's chin took on a determined little tilt. "I'm coming back here as -soon as I can and look for him. I believe this main plaza is a good place -to look for him, too. It's a sort of central meeting place for -everybody." - -Florence nodded. "That's true. Everybody naturally gravitates toward the -Plaza. It's the very heart of the city." - -Long after Florence had left to go to Miss Prudence's room and Peggy was -sound asleep, Jo Ann lay wide awake pondering over plans for getting back -to the city and for finding the mystery man. She had to leave early -tomorrow with the others, as all arrangements had been made for -Florence's father and Carlitos's uncle, Mr. Eldridge, to meet them at a -small village on the way to the mine. - -It was well that they did get an early start the next morning, as the -nearer they approached the high mountain range beyond the city, the -steeper and more dangerous the road became. - -"I think we'll have to leave our car at the village and go the rest of -the way to La Esperanza by oxcart or horses," said Peggy. "That's the way -Mr. Eldridge said they had to do last summer." She smiled over at Miss -Prudence. "Which will you choose, the oxcart or a horse?" - -"A horse every time," came back the quick reply. "I love to ride -horseback." - -"Grand!" approved Jo Ann. - -"I'll feel safer--more comfortable, too--on a good horse than in this -car." Miss Prudence added whimsically, "I beg your pardon for knocking -Jitters that way." - -Jo Ann smiled broadly. Miss Prudence was a good scout after all. She -could ride horseback and condescended now and then to a bit of slang, -such as the word "knocking" just then. - -When they neared San Geronimo where they were to meet Dr. Blackwell and -Mr. Eldridge, the faces of all five began to glow with anticipation. -Florence could hardly wait to see her father, and Carlitos his uncle Mr. -Eldridge, who was Miss Prudence's only brother. - -As soon as she caught sight of the flat-roofed adobe houses of the -village Florence began exulting, "I'll soon see Dad now! He'll be waiting -at old Pedro's store." - -"We'll hate to give you up," put in Peggy. "We'll miss you so much!" - -"It won't be long till I'll be coming over to see you, and then you can -come over and visit with me and see our city again." - -"So we'll end up in spending the summer together after all," laughed Jo -Ann. - -Florence nodded so emphatically that Peggy's face brightened again. - -In a few more minutes Florence stopped the car in front of the little -store, then leaped out and into the arms of a tall, distinguished, -gray-haired man, crying, "Daddy! Oh, Daddy! I'm so glad to see you." - -Just then a tall thin man and a small black-eyed Mexican boy rode up on -horses and leaped off. - -At sight of them Carlitos shouted joyfully, "My uncle and Pepito! My -Pepito!" He sprang out of the car, ran over and greeted his uncle -hastily, then flew over to the grinning little Mexican and threw his arms -affectionately about him. - -"Who is that child?" Miss Prudence demanded of Jo Ann after they had all -exchanged greetings with Mr. Eldridge. - -"That's Pepito, his foster brother--the son of the nurse who took care of -Carlitos so many years. They love each other like real brothers." - -"We-ell, I suppose they should feel that way," Miss Prudence said slowly. -"After all, all the peoples of the earth are 'of one blood'--so the Good -Book says." - -"We believe that in theory but don't always practice it, as Carlitos and -Pepito do," put in Mr. Eldridge, secretly amused at his sister's inward -struggle to accept this relationship between her nephew and the little -Mexican. - -"Where're the horses we're to ride?" Peggy asked curiously after looking -about on all sides. "Or are we going to ride in that oxcart over there?" - -"No, that won't be necessary. I left the horses on up the road about -twelve miles," Mr. Eldridge answered. "I've had the road repaired so you -can drive the car to the foot of the mountain." - -"Why, that's grand!" exclaimed both girls together. "Not that we don't -like to ride horseback," added Jo Ann, "but we can travel so much faster -in Jitters." - -After many words of farewell Florence and her father drove off down the -highway which led to the town farther into the interior where they lived. - -In a few more minutes, Jo Ann was steering Jitters out of the village and -into the road which led to the mine. She had only two other passengers -now, as Carlitos insisted on riding on the horse with Pepito. - -Just as she was about to pass a little shack on the outskirts of the -village, she caught sight of an empty old Ford parked under a mesquite -tree just off the road. She stared at it incredulously, then cried out a -sharp, "Oh, there's that same car we----" She checked her words suddenly, -swerving the car dangerously near an irrigation ditch at the side of the -road. - -"Mercy!" gasped Miss Prudence from the back seat. "What are you trying to -do--turn us over?" - -Jo Ann's face flamed with excitement and embarrassment. - -"No'm," she said meekly as she drove on slowly. "I--I--really--I -don't--see why I did such a silly trick." - -Under cover of the car's noise, a little later, Peggy asked curiously, -"What on earth made you so excited over seeing that old car?" - -Jo Ann's voice was barely audible as she replied, "Because it was the car -Florence and I saw hidden up in that gully in the desert. Smugglers." - -"O-oh! Are you absolutely sure?" - -Jo Ann nodded. "It had the same license number, and the radiator was -bumped in exactly the same places." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - AT THE MINE - - -When they neared the foot of the lofty mountains and the end of the -automobile road, Jo Ann parked the car in front of a small thatched adobe -house. "This is the jumping-off place," she smiled. "Here's where we -leave Jitters and get our horses." - -Miss Prudence eyed the house curiously. "This must be where Ed told me we -were to change into our riding clothes. He said for us to be ready by the -time he and the boys got here. I don't fancy going into a strange house -in a strange----" She stopped abruptly as a fat, smiling-faced Mexican -woman appeared at the open door and began beaming her welcome and -punctuating her Spanish with gestures for them to come inside. - -Summoning her limited Spanish, Jo Ann replied with a "_Gracias_," then -turned and translated the woman's welcoming words to Miss Prudence. - -After a moment's hesitation Miss Prudence followed the girls into the -house. Her keen eyes quickly took in the room, which had a neat, -well-kept appearance in spite of its dirt floor and primitive furniture. - -The woman disappeared into the other room, evidently the kitchen, as they -could hear her rattling dishes and beating vigorously with some utensil. - -"I hope she's making us some _chocolate_," Jo Ann whispered to Peggy as -they slipped into their khaki riding trousers. - -"I hope so too. I'm hungry as a bear. Mountain air always gives me a -ravenous appetite." - -"Here, too. I could wrap myself around a substantial meal right now, and -it'll probably be two hours yet till we reach the mine--and supper." - -As Jo Ann's thoughts turned on the distance to the mine, she wondered how -she would be able to get back to the city and find the mystery man. Now -that she had seen the car of those suspected smugglers in the village so -close by, she felt it was more imperative than ever for her to tell the -mystery man about them and their whereabouts. "I've simply got to get in -touch with him some way," she told herself. - -So intent was she upon these thoughts that she did not heed Peggy's -nudging her till she squealed out, "Can't you put on your boots, Peg, -without poking me in the side?" - -"Oh, I most humbly beg your pardon," Peggy replied, her twinkling eyes -showing that her apology was anything but abject. - -Catching her gesture, a nod of the head in Miss Prudence's direction, Jo -Ann looked over at Miss Prudence. The next moment her eyes opened in -astonishment. That long, full, navy skirt Miss Prudence had on--how on -earth was she ever going to ride in that thing? That must be one of those -old-fashioned side-saddle riding skirts she'd heard her grandmother talk -about. It'd be absolutely dangerous to ride side saddle in this -mountainous country. She'd often heard how easily such a saddle was -tipped out of balance and the rider thrown off. The next moment she -relaxed as the thought occurred to her that there were no side saddles in -this part of the country. Perhaps she'd better tell her that. - -Somewhat embarrassed, Jo Ann stammered, "Er--Miss Prudence--er--they -don't have any--side saddles down here." - -Miss Prudence looked puzzled as she replied Yankee-fashion with a -question, "Well, who wants one?" Seeing the girls' eyes fastened on her -skirt, she smiled, "This isn't one of those old side-saddle riding -skirts. It's a divided skirt." There was a note of pride in her voice as -she added, "I was the first woman in my part of the country to begin -riding astride. I shocked the older people dreadfully." - -"I think you were a good sport, Miss Prudence, to start that style," -Peggy remarked. - -Miss Prudence received this praise with a pleased smile. - -Just then the Mexican woman entered with a tray of food which she set on -a little table near by. Gesturing and talking rapidly to Jo Ann, she -explained, "I think you have much hunger, and I make you some -_chocolate_." - -Though Jo Ann's reply was made in broken Spanish, it was straight from -her heart. "_Gracias._ You are most kind. We have hunger after the long -ride. And _chocolate_--I love it." She raised the cup to her lips and -drank a little of the rich, frothy liquid. "This is very delicious." - -Peggy and Miss Prudence nodded a smiling approval to the woman, and her -black eyes glowed with happiness at the praise, both spoken and unspoken. - -A few minutes after they had finished eating, Mr. Eldridge and the two -boys rode up. - -On going outside Jo Ann saw that there were three other horses saddled -and waiting for them. She noticed, too, that Jose, Pepito's father, was -standing near by, his arms caressingly about Carlitos, whom he loved -almost as dearly as he did his own son. Carlitos's face was aglow with -happiness at being reunited with his Mexican friends. - -After she and Peggy had mounted, they watched with curious eyes to see -how Miss Prudence manipulated that queer skirt. When they saw her -unbutton the front panel and fold it back and refasten it on another set -of buttons, they saw that it was a divided skirt after all. - -Peggy leaned over from her horse to murmur to Jo Ann, "It looks like a -pair of floppy-legged pajamas now." - -Jo Ann nodded, then added, grinning, "I prefer to sleep in pajamas and -ride in trousers. It's so much more modest." - -Peggy suppressed a giggle with difficulty at the thought of the proper -Miss Prudence's ever wearing anything but the most correct clothes. - -Notwithstanding the queer skirt, they found that Miss Prudence rode -unusually well, handling her horse with the ease of an experienced -horsewoman. - -Up the steep mountain trail they began climbing in single file, Jose in -the lead. The sheer precipice at the edge looked so dangerous to Jo Ann -that she tried to keep from looking over. One good thing, they had an -excellent guide in Jose. He had led her and Florence over worse places -than this. - -On nearing the mine a strange feeling of tenseness filled the girls and -Carlitos; and yet that was not surprising, as the mine had been the scene -of the most thrilling adventures they had ever experienced. It was here -that they had been rescued from the treacherous mine foreman who had -stolen the mine from Carlitos's father. - -On their arrival at the great stone house that this foreman had so -proudly built for his own use, they found Jose's wife, Maria, the nurse -who had reared Carlitos as one of her family. Though she was only a poor -ignorant woman of the peon class, the girls as well as Carlitos loved -her. - -"Maria has a heart of gold," Jo Ann told Miss Prudence as they watched -her enfold Carlitos in her arms and kiss him on each cheek. "She loves -him as she does her own Pepito and her girls." - -A few minutes later Maria proudly showed Carlitos to his room, into which -she had put the best of everything, then took Miss Prudence and the girls -to adjoining rooms, which looked bare and forbidding with their concrete -floors, scant furniture, and curtainless, iron-barred windows. - -"Looks like a soldiers' barracks," Miss Prudence said crisply after a -swift glance about. - -Jo Ann laughed, then said, "You should have seen this house as it was the -first time I saw it. There was a grand piano in every room with a game -rooster tied to one of the piano legs." - -Miss Prudence gasped. "A rooster in every room! Heavens! You mean to say -this whole house was a chicken coop?" - -"Not exactly. It was just that Mexican foreman's idea of the luxurious -life. He loved music and cock fighting, so he wanted the pianos and -roosters handy." - -"Heavens!" gasped Miss Prudence again. "Why, I must fumigate this whole -house, clean it with Old Dutch Cleanser, Lysol----" - -"Oh, Maria cleaned it long ago--thoroughly," broke in Jo Ann quickly, -seeing that the anxious-eyed Maria was watching Miss Prudence's frown of -evident disapproval and was worried. She turned now to Maria and said in -Spanish, "The house is very clean. You have worked hard." - -Maria's grave eyes brightened. "Yes, the little girls and I work hard." -She gestured to the window and the corners of the room. "See, I clean it -good like Carlitos's mama show me." - -Though Miss Prudence had caught from these gestures that Maria was -showing how thoroughly she had cleaned the house, she was far from being -convinced that it was fit for human habitation. Again she broke into a -list of the different kinds of cleansing materials and things that she -would need. - -"We'll have to go to the city to get all those things," put in Peggy. -"They won't have them in the little store in the village." - -Jo Ann's eyes suddenly began to shine. Here was her chance to get back to -the city to find the mystery man. She could stop in the village and find -out what those smugglers were doing there. Maybe they were buying baskets -and pottery from the villagers. She'd soon find out now. - -The first moment she and Peggy were alone she told her of her plans. - -Peggy laughed. "I knew that's what you were planning. You can't resist a -mystery, can you?" - -"And you're almost as eager as I am to have a finger in my mystery pie. -You know you're crazy to go to the city with me." - -"Of course I am." - - - - - CHAPTER IX - MISS PRUDENCE'S CLEANING SPREE - - -Before dropping to sleep that night Jo Ann decided that as soon as she -got up in the morning she would urge Miss Prudence to let her and Peggy -go to the city. "I'll tell her what this house needs worse than another -cleaning is some pretty cretonne for curtains and pillows, and some of -the lovely Mexican pottery and bright-colored blankets. I could stop at -the village and buy the pottery and blankets. There were some pieces of -pottery outside that shack near where the smugglers' car was parked. -That'd give me a grand chance to find out from the family in the shack -about the smugglers. Then I'd have more to tell the mystery man--if I can -find him. Finding him--that'll be the hard part." - -Still visioning ways and plans for this trip to the city, she finally -drifted off to sleep. - -She was roused early the next morning by a cold hand upon her bare -shoulder. Horrors! One of those smugglers had grabbed her--she'd jerk -away from him! She sprang out of bed with a leap that sent her into the -middle of the room, then stood staring dazedly at an amazed Miss -Prudence. - -"Why, I didn't mean to frighten you, Jo Ann," she said apologetically. "I -just meant to wake you early so----" - -"O-oh, it's just you!" gasped Jo Ann, feeling very foolish at seeing it -was only Miss Prudence. "I must've been dreaming. I thought one of -those----" She stopped abruptly. She must not say a word about having -seen those smugglers. No use to get Miss Prudence stirred up and excited -over them. - -"I'm sorry I scared you," Miss Prudence began again, "but I thought we -ought to get an early start to----" - -"But we're at the end of our journey," broke in Peggy, who was sitting up -in bed now, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "We don't have any place to start -early to." - -"What I began to say was that we ought to get an early start at giving -this house a thorough cleaning," Miss Prudence went on, undisturbed by -Peggy's interruption. - -"The house looks clean to me--very clean," Jo Ann remarked. - -"Maria may have gone through the motions of cleaning, but"--Miss Prudence -raised her eyebrows skeptically--"a peon housekeeper's ideas of cleaning -and an American's are two different things." - -"Don't you want us to go to the city to get some--some fumigating -stuff--formaldehyde, isn't that what you call it?" Jo Ann asked eagerly. - -"No, I've decided it isn't necessary to have the place fumigated. I've -decided there's enough laundry soap here to begin with. Ed says he's -ordered more, and a lot of supplies that should have come to the village -yesterday. He thinks they'll come today surely. I'll make plenty of -strong suds, and we can begin scrubbing this morning. When we get -through, this place'll be as bright as a new penny." - -"It'll still be dreadfully bare, though," Jo Ann remarked tentatively. -"As you said last night, it looks as bare as a barracks. What it needs is -gay cretonne draperies and pillows, bright-colored blankets to throw over -the chests and couches, and some of the lovely Mexican _ollas_. As soon -as we get the house clean, let's go to the city to get the draperies. We -can probably find some pottery and blankets at the village." - -"Well, we'll think about that later." - -"The sooner we get this house fixed up, the longer we'll have to enjoy -it," spoke up Peggy, coming to Jo Ann's aid. She knew how Jo Ann's heart -was set on getting back to the city. "Let's try to have it all done by -the time Florence comes." - -"Well, we'll see." - -The girls had to content themselves with that vague promise. - -After Miss Prudence had left the room and the girls were dressing, Jo Ann -remarked, "I haven't given up hope yet of going to the city soon. I'm -going to try to persuade Miss Prudence to let us go to the village this -afternoon for the supplies that Mr. Eldridge is expecting." - -"I'll help persuade her." Peggy changed the subject abruptly by saying, -"I hate to have her hurt Maria's feelings by doing all this cleaning, -don't you?" - -Jo Ann nodded. "I'll try to smooth it over to Maria, but she'll never be -able to understand such extreme ideas about sanitation." - -As soon as they had finished eating breakfast, the girls entered -industriously into Miss Prudence's "cleaning spree," as Jo Ann called it. -While Peggy poured the soapy water over the concrete floors, Jo Ann -scrubbed vigorously enough to satisfy even Miss Prudence. - -"It's really fun," Jo Ann declared as she swished the foamy suds about -with her broom. - -Miss Prudence, a towel over her head and her long skirts tucked up and -pinned in the back, bustled about superintending the girls, Maria and her -oldest daughters, and the two boys. - -Maria was horrified that Miss Prudence should set Carlitos, the chief -owner of the silver mine and the house, to doing such menial tasks as -carrying water from the stream back of the house. Miss Prudence, however, -believed with St. Paul that he who would not work should not eat and soon -had everybody in the household stepping lively. - -"I wish that soap and other supplies'd come today," she said, frowning as -she took out the last bar of soap. "The supplies are very low. I can't -plan a decent meal in this house without those things." - -"Peggy and I'll go to the village for them this afternoon," Jo Ann -offered eagerly. "We can drive the car and make better time than Jose can -in the oxcart." - -Miss Prudence hesitated a moment, then replied, "Well, if Jose can go -with you, I believe you'd better go." - -"Fine! I'm sure Mr. Eldridge'll let Jose go. He sends him there -frequently for the mail--every other day, I believe." - -Jo Ann was right in this surmise. Mr. Eldridge promptly agreed to let -Jose accompany the girls to the village. "Jose can take two burros along -to carry the supplies," he added, "and he won't need the oxcart at all." - -So it was that shortly after lunch the two girls and Jose started on -horseback but changed into the automobile when they reached the foot of -the mountain. - -On reaching the village they drove straight to Pedro's store to see if -the supplies had come. On finding that they had arrived, Jose set to work -to load them into the car. While he was busy at that task, Jo Ann and -Peggy walked back to the adobe shack where Jo Ann had seen the smugglers' -car. - -To Jo Ann's relief, the battered old car was not in sight. - -"I'll have a far better chance to find out about the smugglers without -their being on the scene," she remarked to Peggy. - -As soon as they neared the shack, a thin, undernourished woman with a -black _rebosa_ about her shoulders and a baby in her arms appeared at the -door. Peeping from behind her skirts were several other small, half-clad, -hungry-looking children. As quickly as she could in her broken Spanish, -Jo Ann explained that she wanted to buy some of the pottery jars piled up -at the side of the house. - -The woman shook her head and replied, "I have much sorrow that I cannot -sell them to you. Two men in an automobile told me they take all my -_ollas_." - -"Was that their automobile I saw here near your house yesterday?" - -The woman nodded. - -"I must find out when they will be back," Jo Ann thought quickly. "Can -you not get more jars for these men by the time they come back, and sell -me some of these you have now?" she asked tentatively. - -"No, that is impossible. It takes much time to make the _ollas_, and the -men say they come back in three or four days." - -"Three or four days," Jo Ann thought. "I hope Florence comes on one of -those days, so we'll have an excuse to come down here to meet her." - -Peggy broke into her thoughts with, "Ask her the price of these jars. -They're lovely." She picked up two jars, each attractively decorated with -a design of cactus and Spanish dagger. - -Jo Ann relayed this question to the woman. "How much do you sell these -for?" - -The woman went on to tell the price of each--an absurdly small amount, -not a third as much as they were worth. - -"Is that what those men pay you for them?" Jo Ann asked incredulously. - -"_Si._" The woman nodded. - -Jo Ann repeated the price to Peggy, adding, "Those men are robbers, as -well as----" - -She left her sentence unfinished and turned back to the woman, saying, -"They do not pay you enough. I will give you twice that much for these -two _ollas_." - -The woman's eyes opened wide. "Ah--that is good. I have much need of -money to buy food for my children." She hesitated a moment, then added, -"_Bien_, I will let you have these two. The men will be angry, but -then----" She shrugged her shoulders expressively. - -Jo Ann's mind was working rapidly. Perhaps she could help this poor woman -to market more of her pottery. Florence had a friend who purchased -Mexican curios for a firm in the States. She would tell Florence about -this woman's pottery. "I'll take these two _ollas_. Don't let those men -have all your pottery after this. I will sell it for you at this price." - -After Jo Ann had paid for the jars and had promised the woman again to -help sell more of the pottery for her, Peggy remarked as they were -starting away, "I'm glad you paid that woman more for the _ollas_, but -I'm afraid those men'll be furious when they find out you're buying her -pottery at double the price they pay. You're heading for trouble." - -Jo Ann's face grew grave. "I shouldn't be surprised, but I'm glad just -the same that I could help that family. Those poor little children look -half starved to me." - -"They surely do," Peggy agreed. - - - - - CHAPTER X - THE INDEFINITE MANANA - - -As soon as Jo Ann woke the third morning after their trip to the village, -she reminded Peggy that they must go back without fail today. "You know -Florence said she'd either be there by noon, or that there'd be a letter -telling exactly when to expect her. It all depended, she said, on which -day her father had to go to the city." - -Peggy half smiled. "That's not the only reason you want to go to the -village. You want to get another look at those smugglers and get some -information about them; now, don't you?" - -"Yes. I want to be able to give the straight facts to the mystery man--if -I ever see him again. I want to find out how often those men come to the -village--where they go on their trips farther into the interior--what it -is they're smuggling--exactly what route they take on their way back to -the border, and----" - -"What do you think you are--a glorified kind of Sherlock or a whole -detective agency?" - -"Neither. Only I think we've bumped into a fascinating mystery that's -daring us to solve it. I want to play safe, but if we can get any -information that'll aid in catching that band of smugglers and maybe help -keep the mystery man from losing his life, I certainly want to get it." - -"Well, don't get too venturesome. I've known you to get too enthusiastic -about your mystery-solving. One good thing, Jose will go with us to the -village. He'll be our bodyguard without knowing it." - -To the girls' relief Miss Prudence gave her permission for them to -accompany Jose to the village again. They were ready and waiting -impatiently for him several minutes before he appeared with the horses -and an extra pack burro. - -"I'm afraid those smugglers'll have come for the pottery and gone before -we get to the village, at this rate," Jo Ann fumed while she was waiting. - -Peggy grinned. "So much the better for us. I, for one, never want to see -them." - -"I've got to find out their plans some way or other." - -As before, they rode down the mountain, then left their horses and the -burro at the rough thatched shed where their car was stored. - -"Let's give this shed a name," Peggy suggested as they climbed into the -car. - -"All right," Jo Ann agreed. "How about calling it Jitters' House? That's -what it is now. It's the first time the garage was so far away that I had -to ride horseback to get to it." - -Peggy smiled. "Hereafter, then, this is Jitters' House." - -On nearing the Mexican woman's shack Jo Ann began looking eagerly to see -if the pottery were still piled up beside it. - -"Good!" she exclaimed. "The pottery's still there. That means the men -haven't----" She stopped in the middle of her sentence. Jose was -beginning to understand English much better now that he was staying at -Mr. Eldridge's home, and so might be able to get an inkling of what she -was talking about. - -As it was, Peggy understood, since Jo Ann had been worrying all the way -down the mountain lest the pottery and the men should be gone. - -Jo Ann drove straight to Pedro's store, the scheduled meeting place -again, as it had been the day they had all driven from the city. There -was no sign of Florence's small trim figure to be seen outside the store -or inside. - -"Maybe we're too early," Peggy suggested. - -"We have to wait for the mail, anyway--it hasn't come yet, Pedro said," -Jo Ann replied. "If there isn't a letter from her, we'll know she's -coming and will wait till she appears. This delay suits me to a T." - -"Don't I know it! You're just aching for those old smugglers to appear -while we're here. I hope they don't." - -Undisturbed, Jo Ann went on, "While we're waiting, let's you and me go -back to that shack and find out if any of the family knows exactly when -the men are coming after the pottery." - -"We-ell, I s'pose there couldn't be any danger about asking a few -questions." - -Peggy climbed back into the car with Jo Ann, leaving Jose squatting on -the sidewalk smoking his corn-shuck cigarette and chatting with a group -of his peon friends. - -When they stopped in front of the shack, they noticed a little dark-eyed -girl, the tallest of the stair-step children she had seen previously, -standing close to the piles of pottery. Jo Ann promptly leaped out of the -car and walked over and began admiring the pottery. - -"The _ollas_ are very beautiful," she said in her slow Spanish. "Did you -help to decorate them?" - -"_Si_, I fix this one." She picked up a small, brightly colored jar. - -"It is lovely," admired Jo Ann. "You are very artistic." - -The girl's black eyes shone, and two dimples twinkled in her olive-tinted -cheeks at this praise. - -After she had looked at the pottery a few minutes longer, Jo Ann asked -haltingly, "Do you know when the men are coming for your _ollas_?" - -"_Si_," the girl nodded, her long black braids swaying with the motion. -"They tell my papa they come _manana_." - -"_Manana_," Jo repeated to herself discouragedly. That was the most -indefinite word in the Spanish language. It might mean tomorrow, and it -might mean any time in months to come. "Do you mean Friday?" she asked. - -"_Si_, Friday." - -"What time?" - -The girl shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe in the morning; maybe in the -afternoon--I do not know." - -"What time did they come last time they bought your pottery?" - -The child shook her head. "I do not remember." - -Just then the girl's mother appeared in the doorway and smiled broadly on -recognizing Jo Ann and Peggy. - -Jo Ann walked over to the door and, after exchanging greetings with her, -asked if she knew exactly when the men were coming after the pottery, -ending, "Maybe they will sell me some more of your beautiful _ollas_ when -they come." - -The woman answered with the same gesture as had her daughter--a shrug of -her shoulders and, "I do not know." - -"When do they usually come?" Jo Ann persisted. - -"Last time they come about this hour. They stop at Pedro's store first; -then they come here." - -Jo Ann's eyes brightened. At last she had secured a bit of information. - -As it turned out, this was the only piece forthcoming. Question after -question brought forth only the inevitable but expressive shrug of the -shoulders. - -Though she could see Jo Ann was discouraged, Peggy could not help smiling -and asking teasingly, "Have you learned yet what this means?" She raised -her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders in true Mexican style. - -"Silly!" Jo Ann exploded. The next moment she grinned and replied, "It -means anything and everything. I'm going to cultivate that gesture myself -and use it when anyone tries to quiz me." - -When they reached the store, the mail had arrived and in it a letter from -Florence. - -Jo Ann tore open the envelope quickly, glanced over the short note, and -handed it to Peggy, saying, "She'll be here tomorrow afternoon--and so'll -we be here." To herself she added that there might be two others who -probably would not be very comfortable persons to have near. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - THE SECRET OF THE OLLA - - -The girls had thought that as usual Jose would accompany them to the -village the next day. As it happened, however, there was some extra work -for him to do about the mine, and Mr. Eldridge decided to send Carlitos -and Pepito as escorts for them in place of Jose. "Each boy can ride a -horse, and then on the way back they can ride double, as they did the -first day, and let Florence have the extra horse," he said. - -"Fine!" Jo Ann exclaimed. - -Peggy was silent. The thought had darted into her mind that if those -smugglers should chance to be in the village at the same time that they -were, it would be more comfortable to have Jose along instead of the -boys. - -When they reached Jitters' House, the boys suddenly decided to stay there -and wait for the girls. "Pepito and I are going to build a dam in this -stream," Carlitos explained, gesturing toward the small stream near by. - -When a half hour later the girls passed the pottery woman's shack without -seeing any sign of the smugglers' car, Peggy breathed a little more -freely. "We'll probably leave before they get here," she thought. - -As if in answer to her thoughts, Jo Ann spoke up briskly, "I see where -we'll have to wait around the village till those men come. Since the -pottery's still there, I know they haven't come yet." - -"Oh, I wouldn't do that," Peggy answered quickly. "We might have to stay -so long it'd be dark before we'd get back to the mine." - -"Of course we can't wait that long. I'm in hopes they'll come soon, but I -want to see them if I possibly can." - -When they came in sight of Pedro's store, they saw Florence standing out -in front, looking up the narrow street. - -"Attaboy! There she is!" cried Jo Ann. - -"She sees us now!" Peggy waved both arms vigorously, a gesture that was -answered equally enthusiastically by Florence. - -As soon as the three girls had exchanged the warmest of greetings and -Florence and her baggage were settled in the car, Jo Ann broke into an -account of having seen the smugglers' car, and all the other details. - -Florence was indignant over the ridiculously low price the men were -paying the villagers for their pottery. "You're right, Jo. Those men are -thieves," she said. "They're making three or four hundred per cent profit -on the pottery, to say nothing of what they're getting out of their -smuggling. I believe I can pay that woman and the other villagers more -than you did for their _ollas_, and ship them to the States, and still -break even. When I see these poverty-stricken women with their big -families to feed and clothe, I feel I've got to help them every chance I -get." - -"I do, too," agreed Jo Ann. - -"And I," added Peggy. "But I don't want to get those smugglers angry at -us. They'll be furious when they find out you're planning to buy all the -pottery." - -Both Jo Ann and Florence were silent a moment; then Jo Ann remarked, -"Maybe we hadn't better buy all the pottery, because if we do, the men'll -stop coming here altogether, and I won't get a chance to find out more -about them to tell the mystery man. I want to help him--his life's at -stake." - -Florence nodded. "That's so." She turned to Peggy then with, "You're -right. We'd better buy only a few pieces of pottery." - -"Let's drive past the shack now and see if the smugglers' car is there," -Jo Ann suggested, starting the car even as she spoke. - -"That's all right with me if you'll keep on driving and not stop," Peggy -spoke up. - -Jo Ann drove very slowly past the pottery woman's house, but there was no -sign of any kind of car to be seen. As the pottery was still there, she -knew the men were yet to come. She drove on a short distance, then turned -into a rough road circling into the village. To Peggy's disapproval she -turned again a few minutes later into the side road leading past the -woman's house. - -Almost simultaneously Jo Ann and Florence caught sight of the old car -parked beside the house. "The smugglers' car!" they both gasped. - -"Turn as fast as you can and get away from here," ordered Peggy. - -Instead of obeying her command Jo Ann drew the car to the side of the -road and stopped. "You stay in the car, Peggy, while Florence and I see -if we can find out anything." - -"Oh, do be careful!" - -With Peggy's last words in their minds Jo Ann and Florence approached the -shack cautiously, coming up close to the back of the house, where they -halted. Though they could not see the smugglers and the woman except by -peeping around the corner of the shack, they could hear them talking. - -"They're trying to make her come down on the price, aren't they?" Jo Ann -whispered. - -"Yes; trying to force her down to a mere fraction of what the _ollas_ are -worth." An angry glint came into Florence's blue eyes. "I feel like -marching right out and telling her not to----" She stopped whispering to -listen to the woman's plaintive reply that she needed the money for food -for her children. - -Jo Ann caught the woman's words and their meaning. "Come on, let's see if -we can't persuade or bluff them into giving more money." - -Without hesitating, Florence stepped out, and together the two marched on -around to where the men and the woman were standing. - -At their approach the two swarthy-skinned men looked up in surprise. The -taller one, who was a little squint-eyed and had a scar on his chin, drew -his brows together into a deep frown as he peered from under his sombrero -at Jo Ann. - -Involuntarily Jo Ann caught her breath as the thought darted into her -mind that he looked as if he recognized her. "Perhaps he saw me there in -the gully," she thought. - -By that time Florence was talking to the woman in rapid Spanish, offering -to buy all her pottery at almost three times more than the men had -offered. - -The taller man whirled about to stare at Florence and to scowl more -fiercely than ever. "It is impossible for you to buy the _ollas_. She -promise us all--everything." - -Florence ignored this remark and asked the woman, "How much did they say -in the first place that they would pay you?" - -Between sobs the woman replied and added, "Now they say they will give me -only half of that." - -"Since they won't pay you what they had promised, then sell your pottery -to me." - -Both men broke into a torrent of protests, waving their arms and shaking -their heads violently. - -While they were absorbed in arguing with Florence, Jo Ann gradually edged -over and looked into the back of the car, the bottom of which was filled -with pottery packed in straw. After one hasty glance over her shoulder at -the men, she reached over and pulled out a large _olla_ from the middle. - -How heavy it was! She peered into it, then thrust her hand inside. There -was a package--a heavy one--at the bottom. - -Just then a furious voice rang out, "Put that _olla_ back in the car!" - -She wheeled about to see the shorter one of the men rushing angrily -toward her. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - HEADING FOR TROUBLE - - -In another moment the man had grabbed the _olla_ out of Jo Ann's hand and -had placed it back in its nest of straw in the car. "What are you doing?" -he demanded sharply, edging between her and the car. "Leave these alone!" - -Jo Ann detected a note of alarm in his voice. "He's afraid I've -discovered the contents of that _olla_," she thought. Determined to -conceal her nervousness, she replied in as cool and controlled a voice as -she could muster, "How much will you take for that _olla_?" - -The man shook his head. "No--no. It is not for sale." - -"I will give you fifty _centavos_ for it." - -"No--no. I cannot sell it." - -"Well, how about seventy-five _centavos_, then?" - -The merest shadow of a smile began to spread over the man's dark, -unshaven face. Perhaps here was a chance for him to make a few extra -_centavos_, and no one would be the wiser. He reached down in the car and -after rummaging about for a few moments drew up another _olla_ similar to -the one Jo Ann had picked up. "Here--I let you have it," he said, -offering it to her. - -Jo Ann shook her head. "No, that is not the one I want. It is this one." -She started to lean over the car, but the man stopped her. - -"No, this is the only one I have to sell," he insisted. "See, it is -beautiful! Seventy-five _centavos_ is very cheap. I do not make -anything." - -"Cheap!" Jo Ann flung back at him, her eyes blazing. In her anger she had -forgotten to be cautious. "I heard what you're paying for these _ollas_. -You are a thief. Pay them more money, or I'll buy them all myself." - -He scowled menacingly at her. "Ah, it was you who put evil things into -that woman's head--demanding more money! They are lucky to get that much. -Do not interfere with my business again. _Sabe?_" - -Before she could reply, the other man stepped up, an angry glint snapping -in his eyes along with that same half-puzzled expression, as if he were -still undecided about her identity. The two men exchanged a few whispered -sentences so rapidly that she could not make out a single word. Every now -and then they glanced in her direction. - -"They're furious at me," she thought. "I don't want them to stop coming -to the village. I'd better not say another word." She glanced over at -Florence, who was motioning to her to leave. "Florence has come to the -same conclusion. Time we're leaving this place." - -She walked over to Florence, and after both had bade the woman and her -children "_Adios_," they started off down the road toward their car. - -"Those men are watching us," Jo Ann remarked a few minutes later, after a -swift backward glance over her shoulder. "I don't want them to get so -angry that they'll stop coming to the village, do you?" - -"No. That's why I told the woman I could buy only a part of their -pottery." A satisfied smile passed over Florence's face. "I hope that'll -force those men to pay more. They're very anxious to keep on buying here, -because this village makes unusually good pottery." - -"Their designs are beautiful. I think they'll keep on coming here." Jo -Ann looked back over her shoulder again before adding, "They're still -watching us. Did you notice how that taller one kept staring at me?" - -Florence nodded. "It made me wonder if he'd seen you when you so -foolishly ran up the side of that gully." - -"But how was I going to be able to recognize them if I hadn't seen them?" - -When they reached their car, Peggy began hurling questions at them. - -"Florence'll tell you everything," Jo Ann said as she started the car -quickly and turned up the rough road toward the city, adding, "I'm -heading toward the city so those men won't know where we live." - -After she had gone a short distance, she wound back out of the village by -the rough back streets. When she finally cut back onto the main road, she -threw an anxious look back up the road toward the village. There was no -sign of a car to be seen. - -"We fooled them," she said, well pleased. - -"I believe we did," agreed Florence. "They probably think we live in the -city." - -When, two hours later, the girls and the two boys reached the mine, the -girls had completely recovered from their nervousness over their -encounter with the smugglers. - -Florence was enthusiastic over the attractive appearance and cleanliness -of the great stone house, which of course delighted Miss Prudence. - -"While you are here, Florence," she said, "we'll all have to make a trip -to the city to buy materials for draperies and couch and pillow covers to -brighten up this gloomy old house. It still reminds me of a barracks, -even if it is clean." - -"I think that'll be fine," approved Florence, exchanging pleased glances -with Jo Ann and Peggy. "We all love to go to the city." - -Of the three Jo Ann was the most delighted. She must get to the city and -find the mystery man, especially now that she had some more information -about the smugglers. "Can't we go tomorrow, Miss Prudence?" she asked -eagerly. - -Miss Prudence shook her head. "No. I want to finish all the cleaning -first." - -"But the house is spotless now," Jo Ann protested. - -"The kitchen is a downright disgrace. Why Maria insists on using that old -fireplace to cook on when she has this new range, I can't understand. It -makes such a mess. I told her I wanted that fireplace closed up. I want -some shelves put up, too. There isn't any place to store our supplies. -This kitchen wasn't built for convenience. It's big as all outdoors, but -there's no place to put anything." - -"Poor Maria!" thought Jo Ann. "She'll never understand Miss Prudence's -ideas of a modern kitchen. She feels that the kitchen is her domain and -won't like any interference. We'll have all we can do to keep peace in -the family." - -"We'll have to take Florence around the camp tomorrow and show her all -the improvements," Peggy spoke up. She turned to Florence. "Mr. -Eldridge's had all the miners' ugly little shacks replaced with stone -houses built of the natural stone from the quarry." - -"Yes, I noticed a few of them as we came up. I'm so glad. It worried me -to see the contrast between those horrible shacks and this great stone -house." - -"You'll be delighted to see the modern machinery they've put in the mine, -too," Jo Ann put in. "They use electricity now for a good deal of the -work, and that makes it lots easier on the miners--less dangerous, too. -Mr. Eldridge's promised to show us around tomorrow." - -"Fine." Florence's face was aglow on hearing of these improvements. She -was as happy as the other girls to hear how the drudgery and squalor had -been removed from the miners' lives since Mr. Eldridge had taken over the -management of the mining company of which Carlitos was the chief -stockholder. As all three girls owned stock in the company--a gift for -their share in recovering the mine for him--they felt a personal -responsibility for improving conditions. - -"Don't you want to go with us on our ride about the camp tomorrow?" Jo -Ann asked Miss Prudence. - -"Yes, I've been wanting to ever since I came, but I've been so busy, you -know. I'll get an early start at cleaning tomorrow morning, so I can go -with you." - -An amused expression slipped into each girl's face at the familiar words -"an early start." - -So it was that, immediately after the siesta hour, the girls and Miss -Prudence set out on horseback on a general inspection trip of the mining -camp. - -"We won't have time to go down into the mine this time," Miss Prudence -said as they rode off. "Ed says that he wants us to go all through it -soon, though." - -"We're very anxious to go down into the mine, aren't we, girls?" said Jo -Ann. - -"We surely are," both replied. - -With the greatest satisfaction Jo Ann and Peggy pointed out the rows of -neat, substantial limestone houses, each one very homelike with flowers -and vines. - -"The Mexicans love beauty," Florence remarked to Miss Prudence as they -passed a house one side of which was covered with a bougainvillea vine -aflame with pinkish purple flowers. The tiny yard was a riot of color, -too. - -"Yes, I've noticed that they are very fond of flowers," Miss Prudence -agreed. "Carlitos told me today that Maria had asked him if I'd brought -some flower seed with me--that she wanted to see if she could grow some -new kinds of flowers." - -Jo Ann, who had been listening to their conversation, now called out, -"That reminds me, let's dig up some ferns and cactus--that kind that has -bright red blossoms--this afternoon and plant them in our pottery jars. -And let's make a rock garden in the patio, too, and plant all the -different kinds of cacti we can find." - -"A grand idea," the girls agreed, and Miss Prudence nodded approvingly. - -As they approached the mine opening, Jo Ann proudly pointed out the -electric tram-cars which were used to carry the ore down the steep -incline, instead of the burros, as formerly. "The biggest improvement of -all, though, is the way they get the ore out of the mine. Mr. Eldridge -has promised to take us down there some time soon." - -After leaving the mine they rode a short distance on up the beautiful -winding mountain trail, then reluctantly turned at Miss Prudence's -suggestion and started homeward. Before leaving the trail, however, they -persuaded her to wait while they dismounted and dug up some cactus and -resurrection plants. - -"This cactus'll look lovely in that big jar with the cactus design on -it," Peggy explained to Miss Prudence. "And you'll love to watch these -resurrection plants. You can keep them out of water for months, till -they're dried, dead-looking balls, then put them into water, and they'll -unfold and become green and beautiful again." - -Once again, when they were crossing the crystal clear stream that ran -near the house, they begged Miss Prudence to halt. "Wait for us while we -dig up some of these exquisite wild maidenhair ferns," Jo Ann urged, an -appeal that the other two promptly echoed. - -"All right," Miss Prudence agreed, halting under the shade of a rocky -cliff over which trickled a tiny silver ribbon of water into a fern-edged -pool. - -Peggy began pulling up some of the ferns close by, but Jo Ann remarked, -"I can't bear to spoil the beauty of this pool by taking any more of -these ferns. Let's go up the stream a little farther, Florence." - -Jo Ann and Florence walked on along the stream in silent admiration and -soon disappeared around a great moss-covered boulder. - -Suddenly Florence caught sight of a short chunky figure of a man just -ahead. She gasped aloud. Simultaneously Jo Ann's lower jaw dropped, and -her eyes opened wide. The next instant the man clambered up the side of -the cliff and disappeared. - -"One of the smugglers!" whispered Jo Ann, finally recovering her speech. -"He was spying on us." - -"The one that grabbed the _olla_ from you," Florence breathed. "Let's -hurry back." - -The girls wheeled about and ran back down the stream. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - THE POTTERY WOMAN'S WARNING - - -On coming in sight of Miss Prudence and Peggy, the two girls checked -their steps. - -"Let's don't mention seeing that man before Miss Prudence," Jo Ann -warned. "No use alarming her." - -"All right," Florence agreed. "He didn't act as if he were dangerous, -anyway. He ran, too." - -"He didn't want us to see him--to recognize him. What's he doing here?" - -Florence shook her head, puzzled. "I can't imagine. The pottery woman -said they always went on to the city after getting the pottery." - -All at once it dawned upon Jo Ann that they had not got any ferns and -would soon be back at the pool empty-handed. "Miss Prudence'll wonder why -we didn't get some ferns," she said. "Let's stop this minute and pull up -some." - -"All right." - -In a few more minutes they had carefully pulled up some clumps of the -daintiest maidenhair specimens in sight and had wrapped elephant-ear -leaves about their roots to keep the leaf mold from falling off. - -When they neared the pool Peggy called out, "What'd you see to make you -come flying back so fast--a rattlesnake or a boa constrictor?" - -"Er--neither," Florence replied. - -To her and Jo Ann's relief Miss Prudence asked quickly, "Are there really -boa constrictors around here? Did you ever see one here?" - -"Not right here," Florence replied guardedly. - -"Close here?" - -"Well--fifty miles or so to the south." - -"Hop on your horses and let's go this minute." Miss Prudence tapped her -boot against her mount's flank and started riding down the path. - -In a few minutes the three girls were following. - -After Miss Prudence had gone out of hearing distance, Peggy rode over -close to Jo Ann and demanded, "What did you girls see to scare you that -way?" - -Jo Ann leaned over and whispered, "One of the smugglers!" - -Peggy gave a little sudden start that made her horse quiver responsively. -"Gol-ly!" she ejaculated. "What'd he come up here for?" - -"That's what Florence and I want to know." - -By the time the girls had reached the house, Miss Prudence had dismounted -and had gone inside. - -As they were walking along the corridor to their room Maria hurried out -of the kitchen, an excited gleam in her black eyes. - -After a swift glance around to assure herself that Miss Prudence was not -in sight she called to Florence in a low voice and motioned for all three -of them to come there. As they drew near she went on excitedly, "There is -a woman here from San Geronimo to see you. She say she has something to -tell the senoritas who bought her _ollas_ a few days back. It is very -important, she say." - -"A woman from San Geronimo to----" Florence checked her flow of Spanish -to relay the message in English to Peggy and Jo Ann. - -"She must think it's important to come 'way up here," Jo Ann murmured to -Florence as they followed Maria and Peggy into the kitchen. "Do you -suppose it could be something about those----" - -Before she could finish her sentence, they were inside the kitchen. There -sitting beside the door talking to Jose was the woman from whom Jo Ann -had bought the pottery. - -On seeing Jo and Florence the woman rose and hurried over to meet them. -With her words tumbling over each other in her excitement, she began -talking to Florence. So rapid was her Spanish that Jo Ann could catch -only a few words now and then. One thing she was sure of, however, was -that the woman was frightened. But why? She could stand the suspense no -longer and broke in, "What is it, Florence? What's the trouble?" - -Florence turned and explained quickly to her and Peggy, "She says she -heard the smugglers threaten to get even with you and me." - -Jo Ann's eyes flew open, but she repressed the frightened exclamation on -the tip of her tongue. - -"Her oldest girl overheard one of the men tell the other that they'd find -out at Pedro's store where we lived," Florence went on; "then that he'd -drive on with the load of pottery and let him wait around here for a -while." - -"So that's why that man's here--to get even with us!" Jo Ann exclaimed. -"That means we'll have to be extremely careful for a few days. Did she -say when the other man'd be back at the village?" - -"No, but I'll ask her." - -After questioning her closely Florence relayed her answers to the girls. -"She doesn't know. Says she thinks he'll come one day soon--maybe about -this time next week." - -"The vague _manana_," Peggy summed up. "That means we'll be sitting on -top of a volcano for no telling how long." - -"I'm so thankful we know of the volcano's existence," Jo Ann replied. She -smiled over at the woman with a "_Muchas gracias_. You have been very -kind to walk all this way to tell us about the man." - -Florence, too, joined in thanking her, then began talking to the -anxious-faced Maria. She could see she was worried even more than they -themselves. "Don't worry, Maria. Jose won't let anything happen to us. -Will you, Jose?" - -"No, no, Miss Florencita. I will take care of you. But you and Miss Jo -and Miss Peggy must be very careful. Stay here at the house unless I am -with you. Shall I tell Mr. Eldridge about this?" - -"No--well, not yet, anyway." Jo Ann put in hastily. She must get the -information to the mystery man, and if she stayed a prisoner in this -house all the time, she couldn't get the chance. Mr. Eldridge might not -even want her and the girls and Miss Prudence to go to the city, if he -knew about this man's threat. - -"Jose, you haven't gone after the mail yet, have you?" Florence asked. - -Jose shook his head. "I am leaving soon." - -"Get a burro so this woman can ride home. She must be very tired. I'm -sure Mr. Eldridge will not object." - -"_Bien._ I get the burro." He gestured to the woman. "Come with me." - -"Wait just a minute, Jose," spoke up Jo Ann. "I want to give her -something for her children." - -She ran to her room and reappeared in a moment carrying a large box of -caramels. She handed them to the woman, saying, "Here are some _dulces_ -for your children. We will come back next week for some more _ollas_. You -will have some ready then?" - -The woman nodded. - -Both Maria and the girls felt relieved after the woman and Jose had gone -without Miss Prudence's seeing her. - -"I'd have had to tell Miss Prudence everything from A to Z about that -woman if she'd seen her," declared Jo Ann. She turned to Maria. "You must -not let Miss Prudence know anything about what this woman said. _Sabe_?" - -"No--I will not. I know nothing," Maria replied with emphasis, then -shrugging her shoulders added, "Miss Prudencia no speak the Spanish. I no -speak the English." - -"Even if they did speak the same language, Maria wouldn't confide in -her," Jo Ann thought. "They can't understand each other. Neither one -knows how good and kind the other is. Why is it that women living under -the same roof are so often antagonistic to each other?" - -Almost the same moment Miss Prudence entered the kitchen, gave Maria a -few orders, with Florence as interpreter, then added in a suspicious -tone, "I noticed a Mexican woman just leaving the house with a box in her -hands. What did Maria give her?" - -"Nothing," Florence replied quickly. "Jo Ann gave her a box of caramels -for her children. She's the woman Jo Ann bought the jars from. I'm going -to get some more from her and from the other villagers and ship them to -my friend in St. Louis, who has a curio shop." - -When Miss Prudence changed the subject to a discussion of the menu for -supper, all three girls were relieved. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - JO ANN'S SEARCH - - -It was not till after they had gone to bed that night that the girls had -an opportunity to talk over the woman's story and Jo Ann's and Florence's -discovery of the smuggler's presence. - -"I'm certainly glad you had my bed put in your room," Florence remarked, -reaching over across the narrow space that separated her bed from the -girls' double one and patting Jo Ann's hand. "I'd be scared to sleep in -one of these huge old rooms by myself--especially knowing about that -smuggler's being around here." - -"I'm as tall as he is, so I'm not scared of him," grinned Jo Ann. "If I -were as small and lilylike and fragile-looking as you, I might be -uneasy." - -"Stop teasing me that way," laughed Florence, "or I'll roll over between -you two for protection." - -Just as they were about to drop off to sleep, Jo Ann murmured drowsily, -"If Miss Prudence dares to come in and wake me up early in the morning -with 'we'll have to get an early start'--at something or other, I'm--I'm -going to----" She hesitated. - -"I'm going to what?" jibed Peggy. - -"I'm going to fire my pillow at her, then turn over and go back to -sleep." - -Peggy giggled. "Uh-huh! I see you firing a pillow at her." - -As it happened, Miss Prudence did enter their room early the next morning -to waken them, but instead of hurling a pillow Jo Ann listened gladly to -her plan for an "early start." - -"Going to the city--this morning?" she repeated, wide awake as soon as -the phrase "going to the city" had entered her brain. "That's fine! Sure -we'll be ready by the time you are." Seeing that Peggy was sufficiently -awake now to take in the plan for a trip to the city, she asked, "You'll -be ready, won't you, Peg?" - -"Yes, indeed. Reach over and wake Florence. Tweak her ear or her nose." - -Florence protested vigorously at this manner of being wakened but quickly -subsided when Jo Ann told her about the trip. - -An hour later they were dressed and mounted on their horses, as were -Carlitos and Miss Prudence. Jose tied the two bags to his saddle, which -were the only pieces of luggage they were taking, since they were to stay -only one night. - -"Remember, Carlitos," his uncle said smilingly on telling him good-bye, -"you'll be the man of the party after you reach Jitters' House. That's as -far as Jose'll go, you know." - -When they reached Jitters' House, Jose placed the bags in the car while -the girls and Miss Prudence changed from their riding clothes into -outfits more suitable for wear in the city. Miss Prudence was neatness -itself in her sheer black dress, while the three girls looked fresh and -lovely in their linen suits and crisp dainty blouses, topped off by pert -little hats. - -"I'm so glad the band will play on the Plaza tonight," Peggy remarked -after she had slipped into the front seat beside Jo Ann, who was at the -wheel. - -"I'm glad, too, but not for that reason," Jo Ann replied. "You want to -promenade, while I want to watch for----" She left her sentence -unfinished, but Peggy knew that it was the mystery man for whom she would -be looking. - -When they neared the shack where the pottery woman lived, Jo Ann looked -eagerly to see if there were any signs of the smugglers or their car. -"Nothing doing," she said finally. - -On nearing the city Florence took the wheel on account of her knowledge -of the city. After eating a late lunch, they started out on their -shopping tour to buy draperies and other materials. - -Everywhere she went, whether in the car or afoot, Jo Ann kept looking for -the mystery man. Every stalwart male of the mystery man's approximate -height whom she caught sight of she studied intently, hoping that it -would be he. She begrudged the time spent inside shops buying cretonnes -and draperies, as she felt she would never find him in such places. - -"Maybe he'll be on that same corner of the Plaza again," she comforted -herself later that evening after a fruitless search. - -As soon as the band began playing, all three girls made straight for the -Plaza and began promenading along with the gay groups of Mexican girls, -while Miss Prudence and Carlitos sat watching from a bench on the outside -of the square. - -As before, Jo Ann had eyes only for stalwart onlookers who might turn out -to be the mystery man. Peggy, however, kept on the inside of the line. - -When they had strolled about the square the second time, Peggy suddenly -uttered an exclamation of surprise, "There he is! There he is!" - -"Where? Where?" Jo Ann asked eagerly. - -"There--see? That tall, dark-haired, handsome boy with the big black -eyes!" - -"Oh, gosh!" Jo Ann ejaculated disgustedly when she realized Peggy had not -meant the mystery man but the tall youth with whom she had exchanged -smiles the other time she had promenaded. - -She was still more discouraged and disgusted after a whole evening of -strolling around the Plaza with no sign of the mystery man. - -"I'm afraid this trip's going to be a complete flop, after all," she -remarked to Peggy. "I might as well have gone to the hotel when Miss -Prudence and Carlitos did." - -"Miss Prudence was an angel to let us stay so long, wasn't she?" Peggy -smiled. - -Jo Ann nodded indifferently. Peggy might be thrilled over exchanging -smiles with a handsome Mexican boy, but not she. - -The next morning, as soon as they left the hotel to finish their -shopping, Jo Ann began to search for the mystery man again, but in vain. - -"The last thing we'll do is to go to the market," Miss Prudence announced -on leaving the department store a little later. - -"Let's go to the big market near the center of the city," Florence -suggested. "You can buy every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable -there." - -"The mystery man wouldn't be doing any marketing," Jo Ann thought -wearily. "It'll be no use to look for him there." - -All at once a sudden thought struck her. If he should have any inkling -about the smugglers hiding the dope or gold, or whatever stuff it was, in -jars and vases, he might stay around the pottery booths where the pottery -could be bought so cheaply. She brightened visibly at this idea. - -As soon as they reached the market, she left the others with Miss -Prudence in front of one of the vegetable stands and wandered back to -where she had remembered seeing the pottery booth. Eagerly her eyes roved -here, there, and all around the booths near by. That broad-shouldered man -standing----She caught her breath. It was the mystery man! - -"He's alive! He's alive!" rang through her mind; then the words, "Now's -my chance to talk to him." - -All at once it occurred to her that it would be an embarrassing situation -all around if Miss Prudence should appear while she was talking to this -stranger. "Before I say a word to him, I'll slip back to tell Florence to -keep Miss Prudence and Carlitos away from the pottery booth for a while," -she thought quickly. - -No sooner had this plan entered her mind than she hurried to Florence's -side, whispered a few words, and waited only long enough to catch her -emphatic "All right," then rushed back to the pottery booth as fast as -she could zigzag her way through the crowded passageways. - -When she caught sight of the stalwart figure again, she gave a sigh of -relief and hastened over toward him. - -As she drew near, the man shot a piercing glance at her, then a gleam of -unmistakable recognition shone in his keen gray eyes. - -"He hasn't forgotten me," she thought. "That makes it easier." - -She began speaking in a low voice: "You're trying to catch a band of -smugglers, aren't you?" - -The man gave an involuntary start but controlled his features. "What -makes you think that?" he countered. - -"From what I overheard you say in the hotel--I didn't mean to -eavesdrop--and from a bit of information I got from--" she started to say -"from a coast guard" but changed to--"from somebody else." - -"Was that somebody else a smuggler?" he asked in a carefully light tone. - -"No--no." There was a hint of impatience in Jo Ann's voice. He was trying -to throw her off the track. She'd go straight to the point now. "I've -accidentally run across some information about some smugglers that may -help you," she said. - -An alert expression replaced the half smile on the man's face as he -asked, "What is that you think you've discovered?" - -Quickly Jo Ann recounted her and Florence's discovery of the hidden car -with the pottery and the baskets near the border, the smugglers' -conversation, and their seeing them again at the village, ending with, -"I'm sure that must've been gold in that jar I lifted. It was so very -heavy." - -"It looks as if you've discovered one set of them," he said thoughtfully. -"They're only two of a large gang, though. The ringleaders stay on the -other side." - -"Was it the ringleaders you'd been pursuing in Texas?" she asked, -low-voiced. - -He nodded. "Dangerous men they are. If we can catch them we can break up -the gang. I'm going to keep an eye open for cars loaded with baskets and -pottery. If I can follow them to the border I may be able to catch the -leaders. Tell me exactly where you discovered that hidden car." - -Jo Ann went on to describe as accurately as possible the location of the -gully in which she and Florence had found the car. - -"Do you happen to know the license number of their car?" - -"Yes." As she gave the number, he jotted it down in a notebook. - -"Anything else about the car to distinguish it?" - -Jo Ann went on to tell of the battered places in the radiator. - -"And now give me a detailed description of the men." - -Racking her brain for every item that would be helpful, she described -their appearance and clothes, from the braided leather strips about their -sombreros to a peculiar squint in the left eye of the taller man. - -"Good. You're a close observer, I wish you could find out exactly when -they'll leave San Geronimo next week. If you could, I could wire my men -across the border. Maybe together we might round up the ringleaders. If I -don't get them soon, they'll----" - -He halted abruptly, but Jo Ann knew instinctively that he had been going -to add "get me." That was what he had said over the telephone in the -hotel. She must--must get him that information if possible. - -"I don't want to mix you girls up in this affair, and if you can't get -the information without endangering yourselves, don't do it." - -Jo Ann's eyes began to gleam determinedly. "I'll get it. As soon as we -find out exactly when the men're starting from the village, I'll get word -to you. If I can't come, I'll write you--but where?" - -The man took a card from his pocket and after writing on it handed it to -her, saying, "Write me in care of general delivery. I had decided to -leave in the morning, but now, since you've given me this very valuable -information, I'll wait till I hear from you. If you should come back to -the city, you'll find me somewhere around this pottery booth in the -daytime and near the Plaza at night." - -Jo Ann was about to ask some more questions when she caught a glimpse of -Miss Prudence and the girls coming down the crowded aisle. "I've got to -go this instant," she said and hurried around back of the booth, meeting -them in the main aisle. - -"I hadn't missed you till a moment ago," Miss Prudence remarked to her. -"What've you been buying?" - -"Nothing--yet. I want to get a pair of Mexican sandals to use for bedroom -slippers. Have you seen any here?" - -"Yes; they're at a booth on the extreme left," Florence put in quickly. -"I'll show you. Come on, Peg. We'll meet you and Carlitos at that first -fruit booth, Miss Prudence, in a few minutes." - - - - - CHAPTER XV - ANXIOUS MOMENTS - - -As soon as Miss Prudence and Carlitos were out of hearing distance, -Florence asked eagerly, "Did you get to talk to the man, Jo?" - -"Yes, and he was glad to get the information. He gave me his card. See? -His name's Mr. Andrews, and I'm to write to him here in care of general -delivery. I'll tell you all about it when we get back to the hotel." - -In spite of this promise Jo Ann did not get an opportunity to recount -this conversation till hours later. - -After purchasing the sandals with much bargaining in true Mexican style, -Jo Ann and the girls waited for some time at the fruit booth for Miss -Prudence and Carlitos. - -"I wonder what's happened to Miss Prudence and Carlitos to keep them so -long," Florence said finally. - -"I know Miss Prudence's not delayed by carrying on a conversation in -Spanish with anyone," smiled Peggy. "She's like me--about the only words -she knows are _cuanto_ and _adios_." - -"Perhaps she's bargaining by the gesture method," added Jo Ann. - -Several minutes later an anxious-faced Miss Prudence came hurrying up and -asked, "Where's Carlitos? Have you seen him?" - -"No," all three replied. - -"Well, he's disappeared--was right by my side one minute--then the next -he was gone. I've searched all around the market but can't find him." - -"You've just missed each other in the crowds," Florence replied -comfortingly. "You stay right here, and we three'll separate and go in -different directions and meet here again. We'll find him." - -Noticing an empty chair near by, Jo Ann moved the chair over to Miss -Prudence's side and said, "Sit here and rest. I'm sure we girls can find -him." - -Wearily Miss Prudence sank down in the chair, and the girls started off -to find Carlitos. Each took a different section of the building to search -and wound in and out the maze of crowded passageways that divided the -scores of booths. - -After Jo Ann had made the rounds of her allotted part twice without -seeing Carlitos, she started back to Miss Prudence, hoping that the other -girls had found him. Peggy arrived almost the same moment, but she, too, -was alone. - -The worried frown on Miss Prudence's face deepened on seeing they had not -found Carlitos. - -"Florence'll find him: she's more familiar with this building," Jo Ann -told her more confidently than she felt. Into her mind had darted the -recollection of the harrowing experience they had once had when Carlitos -had been kidnaped by the treacherous Mexican foreman. Just suppose he'd -been kidnaped again! That one of those smugglers had stolen him to get -even with her and Florence. That pottery woman had said they had -threatened to get even some way. - -Just as she had come to this painful point in her thoughts, Florence -appeared--alone. - -"No sign of him anywhere," she announced. "One man told me he'd seen a -boy of his description going out a side door." - -"Did he say this boy was alone?" Jo Ann asked anxiously. - -"He didn't say." Florence had caught Jo Ann's emphasis on the word alone, -and her heart began thumping rapidly. Did Jo Ann think someone might have -kidnaped him again? The smugglers! Could they---- "I'll go back and ask -that man if Carlitos was alone," she said. - -She hurried back to find the man and returned a few moments later, saying -in a disappointed voice, "He said he didn't notice whether he was alone -or not." - -"Maybe he got tired of waiting here and went back to the hotel," Jo Ann -suggested. - -"He might have," Miss Prudence replied. "Florence, tell the woman at this -booth"--she gestured to the booth just back of them--"that if she sees an -American boy looking for somebody to tell him we've gone to the hotel." - -After another round of searching they left the market and drove back to -the hotel. Florence parked the car near the side entrance, saying, "We'd -better leave the car here handy, as we'll be leaving as soon as we can -find Carlitos." - -They hurried into the hotel, looked about the lobby, and then went up to -their rooms. Carlitos was nowhere to be seen. - -"I declare, I'm getting more and more worried--and thoroughly -exasperated," Miss Prudence announced after looking in the last room. - -"Wait here, Miss Prudence, and I'll run down to the lobby and ask the -clerks at the desk if they've seen him," Jo Ann said hurriedly. "He -might've left some message there." - -"Well--I'll finish my packing while I'm waiting." - -"I'll go with you, Jo," offered Florence and Peggy together. - -On inquiring at the desk Jo Ann found that neither of the clerks had seen -him. - -As she was starting to turn away, one of the clerks summoned the porter -who stood at the front entrance and asked him if he had seen Carlitos. To -the girls' delight the porter nodded and replied that he thought he had -seen him talking to a newsboy about half an hour ago. - -The girls' faces brightened on hearing this, Jo Ann's especially, as she -immediately recalled how fascinated Carlitos had been with a Mexican -newsboy the first day they had arrived. After a quick "_Muchas gracias_" -to the porter, the girls hurried out to the street, Jo Ann in the lead. - -When they had walked only a short distance down the street, Jo Ann heard -a newsboy's shrill cry in broken English. "Carlitos's voice!" she -exclaimed. "I hear him!" - -She rushed around the corner and stared across the street. There, a bag -of newspapers slung across his shoulder, stood Carlitos selling a paper -to an American. - -"Can you beat that!" Peggy ejaculated, catching sight of Carlitos at the -same time. - -"Of all things!" Florence gasped. - -They hastened across the street to his side. He greeted them half -joyfully, half sheepishly; then, with a gesture to the grinning little -Mexican newsboy beside him, he said, "I sell lots of papers for Diego. He -say I very good 'cause I can speak de Spanish and de English." - -"You may be good at selling papers, Carlitos," Jo Ann answered, "but you -should've told your aunt Prudence where you were going. She's been -worried stiff about you." - -"Worried stiff--stiff," he repeated, puzzled. - -"Badly worried--_mucho_. She's been afraid something terrible had -happened to you. Come on to the hotel. We're leaving for the mine in a -few minutes." - -Reluctantly Carlitos parted with his newsboy friend. - -As soon as they had brought Carlitos to the hotel room and Miss Prudence -had delivered him a strong lecture, she urged them all to hurry and pack -their few belongings and leave at once. "You know it's a long hard trip -to the mine, and I certainly don't want to be riding horseback on that -steep, rocky mountain trail after dark." - -"We don't either," said Jo Ann quickly. "Florence and I had one -experience riding in the mountains in the dark and through a terrible -storm, too, and we don't want another, do we, Florence?" - -"No, indeed." - -After leaving the city Florence slipped over to let Jo Ann drive. "You're -a better chauffeur than I am and always make better time. We must get -back to the mine before dark, especially since we saw----" - -She left her sentence unfinished, but Jo Ann knew that she meant the -smuggler they had seen near the mine. - -When they finally reached Jitters' House in the late afternoon, they -found Jose waiting for them. - -"I wonder why he happened to come?" Peggy remarked curiously on seeing -him standing beside the shed. The next instant she realized that he must -be uneasy because of the pottery woman's account of the smugglers' -threats. "He's come as an extra protection for us," she thought. - -"It's good of him," Jo Ann put in, and Florence added, "He's always -thoughtful and kind." - -Carlitos was delighted to see him. Another male was a welcome change -after having to stay with women for two days. That was one reason he had -felt that he must slip off with the newsboy awhile, though he couldn't -have explained that in words. He was eager to tell Jose all about his -trip, too. - -Even Miss Prudence expressed appreciation of Jose's coming, adding, "He's -as thoughtful as he can be." - -Jo Ann was the first one of the group to finish changing into riding -clothes. She hurried back to the shed where Jose was still waiting, as -she was anxious to know how things had been running at the mine, and -especially if he had seen anything of the smuggler hanging around. She -had described the smuggler so carefully to him that he would be able to -recognize him. - -"Have you seen anything of that strange man while we've been gone?" she -asked him. - -To her relief Jose shook his head. "No." - -"Everything all right?" - -This time Jose shook his head more emphatically. "Ah--there was much -trouble at the mine today." With many excited gestures he went on to tell -her that one of the loaded tram-cars had got loose and had crashed down -the mountain side, tearing up the track and causing much trouble. "Very -much trouble," he repeated, shaking his head. - -"What caused the car to break loose?" - -Jose shrugged his shoulders expressively. "That I do not know. Me no -_sabe_. Senor Eldridge say he no understand." - -All at once the thought flashed into her mind that perhaps the smuggler -was at the bottom of this accident. Maybe that was his way of getting -even. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - DOWN THE MINE SHAFT - - -The next three days were busy ones for the girls. Miss Prudence had -bought scores of yards of gay-colored cretonnes and other materials, and -she now set all three to work making couch and pillow covers and -draperies. - -"I've got to have draperies to hide the iron bars at the bedroom -windows," she had said. "I don't like to see those iron bars. They make -me feel as if I'm in prison." - -When she escorted the girls to her bedroom and showed them the heaps of -materials, Jo Ann remarked with a whimsical smile, "I didn't realize what -I was getting us into when I suggested brightening up this house with -draperies and cushions. It looks as if we'll be running the sewing -machine instead of Jitters for the next week or two." - -Florence and Peggy both laughed. They knew Jo Ann did not like any task -that kept her in the house, and especially one of the sitting-still kind, -like sewing. - -"'Outdoor action and plenty of it,' is Jo Ann's slogan," Peggy explained -a moment later for Miss Prudence's benefit. "She says sitting still and -sewing make all her muscles feel cramped and her head ache and her mind -tired." - -"Well, it does," Jo Ann defended. "I feel as if I'm getting petrified. -I'd rather climb mountains any time." - -"I'll let you run the machine, then," Miss Prudence spoke up briskly. -"That'll keep your feet moving up and down as if you're climbing." - -"A poor substitute," Jo Ann returned, smiling. - -"Before you begin sewing, I'll give you an active job that'll bring into -use more of your muscles--measuring windows. Be sure to get the exact -length. Nothing looks worse than draperies that're too short." - -After Jo Ann had finished measuring windows, she set to work basting and -stitching the hems in the draperies. By this time her thoughts had -wandered from sewing to the mystery man and the smugglers. Was that -smuggler still lurking around the mine and had the other one reached the -border without being caught? And was the mystery man still safe and -sound? She must get word someway to him when the smugglers were to make -their next trip, so he could follow them. If only he could catch those -ringleaders and break up that gang! - -So engrossed was she in these thoughts that she did not heed Peggy's -sudden outburst of laughter several minutes later till Florence called -out a merry, "Jo! Will you look what you've done! You've hemmed all your -draperies upside down, so that the parrots or parrakeets--or whatever -kind of birds they are in the design--are all standing on their heads." - -"They'll look comical with their tails perpetually in the air," giggled -Peggy. "I'm getting dizzy already even at the thought of those poor birds -hanging head downward that way." - -"Oh dear!" groaned the discomfited Jo Ann on viewing her mistake. "Now -I've got to rip out every hem. Oh, woe is me!" - -"I'll help you," Florence offered, taking one of the draperies from her. - -"Next time concentrate on your sewing instead of on the mystery man and -those----" Peggy stopped talking abruptly on seeing Miss Prudence enter -the room. - -As soon as Jose came to the house that evening, Jo Ann slipped to the -kitchen to ask him if he had seen the smuggler hanging around the mine. - -At his reply that he had not, Jo Ann felt relieved till the next moment, -when he added, "We have much trouble at the mine today. No get out much -ore." He went on to explain that the tram-car wrecked the previous day -had torn up the track badly and that there had been trouble with some of -the mine machinery. - -"Have they found out who wrecked the car?" she asked. - -"No. One man told me he saw Luis, a bad workman _El Senor_ discharged -last week, near the track before the wreck." Jose shrugged his shoulders. -"I do not know who did it. Maybe it was Luis--maybe it was the strange -man you saw." - -"Why did Mr. Eldridge discharge this Luis?" - -"He steal ore." - -As Miss Prudence entered the kitchen just then and sat down, Jo Ann could -not question Jose further. She left the room wondering if after all she -had not been wrong in her surmise about the smuggler's having wrecked the -car. He might have become alarmed after she and Florence had seen him and -have left immediately. She certainly hoped that was the case. - -By the time the girls had finished sewing, Jo Ann was thoroughly weary of -staying in the house. "If I don't get outside for a long horseback ride -or a climb up the mountains today, I'll go raving crazy," she said. - -Peggy laughed at this exaggerated speech, and Florence remarked -smilingly, "Well, by all means let's get out and explore the country this -afternoon. I'm fed up with staying inside, too." - -"To tell you the truth," Peggy put in, "I've been rather glad to stay -inside. Ever since I heard about that smuggler's hanging around here, the -house looks good to me." - -"Oh, he's gone away by now, surely," Jo Ann answered. "Jose says no one -else has said a word about having seen a stranger around, and in a small -camp like this a stranger surely couldn't escape being noticed. I feel -sure he's gone back to join the other man. If that man returns for the -pottery the same time that he did last week, he'll be back at the village -Friday. I've got to get word to the mystery man what day they're starting -for the border." - -"The woman promised me to save some of the pottery for me, but I want to -select the best designs from the entire lot before she sells any of -them," Florence put in. - -"That means we'll have to go and get the pottery before those men come," -Jo Ann remarked. "That suits me to a T. You've already written to your -friend in St. Louis that you're sending the pottery in a few days, -haven't you?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, that settles it. We'll go to the village to get the pottery -Thursday morning and take it to the city and ship it from there. That'll -give me a fine chance to find out from the woman when the smugglers're -coming and to see the mystery man and tell him when to look out for -them." - -"I see where you're headed for more trouble," Peggy spoke up. "You'd -better keep your fingers out of this whole affair. You're too -adventuresome." - -Jo Ann half smiled. "Oh, skip it--the lecture, I mean. Let's get the -horses and go for a ride now." - -"There's one thing I'd like better than to go for a long ride, and that's -to go through the mine," Florence said. "Mr. Eldridge promised me he'd -take us through it while I'm here this time. When he comes in to lunch, -let's beg him to take us down into it this afternoon." - -"Fine!" approved Jo Ann. "I've been eager to see how the _malacate_ works -now that it's run by electricity." - -"What's a _malacate_, and what does it do?" Peggy asked curiously. - -"It's a windlass arrangement that draws the ore up out of the mine. A -rawhide bag is tied to the end of a long cable and let down into the -shaft. Using electricity is a vast improvement over the old way." - -"Did the peons have to work the windlass--wind it by hand?" Peggy asked, -puzzled. - -"No, burros were used for that purpose. But before they used a windlass, -back in primitive times, they made the Indians carry the ore up in bags, -and they had to climb all the way up out of the mine on dangerous notched -logs for ladders. Many and many of those Indians have fallen into the -deep shafts, to their death." - -There was silence for a moment; then Florence spoke up: "I have my doubts -if Mr. Eldridge'll take us into the mine in the daytime. The miners are -very superstitious about women going into the mine, he said. They think -every time a woman goes in, something terrible always happens--an awful -explosion or a cave-in, killing one or more of the miners." - -Jo Ann nodded understandingly. "That's so. I'd forgotten about that. -We'll ask him to take us tonight, then." - -As soon as Mr. Eldridge came in to lunch, all three girls greeted him -with requests to show them through the mine that night. - -"We-ell, I don't know quite what to say to that," he replied slowly. -"There've been two peculiar accidents lately that make me somewhat -reluctant to take you down into the mine. Those accidents haven't been -accounted for to my satisfaction yet." - -"But they were both outside the mine, weren't they?" asked Jo Ann. - -"Yes." - -"And two days have passed by without any more trouble," Florence added. - -Mr. Eldridge smiled. "Well, I might as well say you may go. When three -girls pounce upon one poor defenseless man, he has to agree to their -plans. There's no night shift working tonight, so this'll be a good time. -Be ready by eight o'clock." - -"All right," the girls chorused in reply. - -That afternoon the three, accompanied by Carlitos and Miss Prudence, took -a long horseback ride over a beautiful mountain trail. - -Miss Prudence refused, however, to go with them on their trip to inspect -the mine that night or to let Carlitos go. "Carlitos is tired and sleepy -from the long ride, and bed's the best place for him," she said. "I -should think you girls would've had enough exercise, too." - -By a quarter of eight the girls were ready and waiting. Knowing that the -mine was damp and cold, they had put on their sweaters and heaviest -oxfords, and Jo Ann and Peggy had prepared themselves for darkness as -well, as they had their flashlights. - -When Mr. Eldridge and they reached the shaft, he switched on the -electricity to work the _malacate_ so they could go down into the mine. - -No sooner had the machinery started running than the Mexican night -watchman came running to investigate, an alarmed expression on his face. -"Ah, it is you!" he exclaimed in a relieved tone on seeing Mr. Eldridge. - -Mr. Eldridge smiled. "You are a good watchman, Manuel. I am taking the -senoritas down to show them how we mine the ore. Do not tell anyone the -senoritas have been in the mine. _Sabe?_" - -"_Si._ I _sabe_," Manuel replied quickly, knowing at once why _El Senor_ -had given this order. - -"Don't turn off the _malacate_. See that nobody comes near it. Stay close -by." - -Manuel nodded assent. "I stay here." - -"Manuel is the best watchman we've ever had," Mr. Eldridge told the -girls. "I can trust him not to go to sleep." - -When Jo Ann found herself in the rawhide bag tied at the end of the long -cable and being dropped down into the shaft's eerie darkness, she felt a -queer sinking sensation at the pit of her stomach, as if she were falling -through bottomless space. "It's breath-taking--scary," she thought. - -It was with a gasp of relief that she stepped out of the bag and onto the -rocky bottom of the shaft. She knew exactly how Peggy felt when she -scrambled out of the bag a little later and exclaimed, "Wh-ew! My heart's -up here!" She was clutching her throat dramatically. - -Together they waited for Florence's descent. By their flashlights' gleam -they could see that her eyes were dilated and her lips tightly closed. - -"It scared you speechless," grinned Peggy after waiting a moment for her -to speak. - -Florence nodded and managed a "Took my breath!" - -It seemed to all three that of all the cold, damp, terrifying places to -work, a silver mine was the worst. Mr. Eldridge led them through low -narrow tunnels and into several black, cavernous recesses opening from -these passageways and showed them the different mining processes. - -Peggy became decidedly nervous on learning that the ore was dynamited -down. "There might be some dynamite around here now, and it might explode -and blow us into smithereens," she whispered to Jo Ann. - -A few minutes later she bumped into something against the wall that made -her leap back in haste. When Mr. Eldridge told her it was a dynamite box, -her heart began leaping faster than ever. - -"He means an empty dynamite box," Jo Ann explained hastily as her -flashlight's beam showed her the ghastly pallor of Peggy's face. "Some -miners are using it as an altar," she added comfortingly. "See, there's a -picture of the Virgin inside." - -"I believe I'm ready to leave this murky gloom and get back up into the -good fresh air," Peggy said, her voice still shaky. - -"Well, I believe you've seen all the most interesting things." Mr. -Eldridge smiled. "We'll go on up." - -When they came back to the shaft, to Mr. Eldridge's amazement, the -_malacate_ was not working. "Now what's the matter!" he exclaimed, -annoyed. "I told Manuel to keep the _malacate_ running so we could get -back." - -For several minutes they stood waiting in vain for the cable and bag to -appear. - -Finally, in an exasperated tone Mr. Eldridge remarked, "Never had -anything like this happen before. Can't imagine what's the matter. -Manuel's always been so dependable. We may have to walk all that long -distance to the entrance of the workings. And you're all so tired -already." - -Just then there sounded an excited cry that reverberated uncannily -through the shaft. - -"Why, that's Jose's voice!" Jo Ann exclaimed. "What's----" - -The next instant the words, "Manuel's--killed!" echoed down to them. - -A moment's stunned silence fell; then Mr. Eldridge gasped, -"Manuel--killed! Start the _malacate_ at once, so we can get up there!" - -"No can--the wires all broke," came back the wailing answer. - -"Wires broken--and Manuel killed and----" Mr. Eldridge's voice trailed -off into silence. - -Jo Ann cut in, "Jose's so excitable! Manuel may have only fainted or been -shocked unconscious." - -"That's true. All the more reason I must get up there at once. It'll take -us so long to walk to the entrance." - -"Can't Jose attach burros to the _malacate_ and pull us up that way?" put -in Jo Ann. - -"Yes, he could. That'd take lots less time." Mr. Eldridge called -immediately to Jose to attach the burros to the _malacate_ and start it -working, ending with the usual, "_Sabe?_" - -"_Si_," Jose called back. "I go now." - -While they were anxiously awaiting for Jose to start the _malacate_, Mr. -Eldridge remarked that he had better go up first to see about Manuel. "I -hate to go ahead of you, though." - -"Don't worry about us," Jo Ann said, more confidently than she felt. -"There's nothing here to harm us." - -"Nothing at all," agreed Florence in a voice that quivered -unconvincingly. - -Just then Peggy's hand clutched Jo Ann's convulsively. "Poor Peg's scared -stiff at the idea of his leaving us," thought Jo Ann as she grasped the -cold hand in a comforting pressure. Her mind, however, flew back to -Manuel. Surely he couldn't have been killed. He must've fainted. But he -was so strong-looking. What could have happened in that short time? If -only Jose would hurry faster and let down that cable. "Oh, surely Manuel -can't be dead!" she kept repeating to herself. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - IN THE DARKNESS - - -After what seemed to Jo Ann an interminable time the cable appeared, and -Mr. Eldridge was pulled up the shaft. - -"I feel better now that he's up safely," Jo Ann said, breathing more -freely. - -"I don't know which I dread worse--going up in that awful bag or staying -down here in this terrible dark," Peggy groaned. - -Noticing that Peggy's flashlight was not on, Florence asked, "Why don't -you switch on your flashlight? That'll help some." - -"It won't turn on. When I bumped against that dynamite box, I got so -scared I dropped it. It must've got broken then." - -So worried over Manuel was Jo Ann that she paid little heed to Peggy's -continued laments. If only this awful suspense about him was over! Surely -he must be only unconscious. If he were, when they got out they could -help give him first aid. She'd had first-aid training in her scout work. -"I wish I could go up first and see if I could do anything for him," she -told herself. - -Just then she heard Peggy say, "I believe I'll go up first. I can't stand -this creepy darkness. I keep thinking that smuggler's hidden down here -and----" - -"Peggy's so upset and nervous, she'd better go up first," Jo Ann admitted -to herself reluctantly. Aloud she said, "All right, Peg, you go next. See -what you can do to help Manuel." - -"But, Jo, Manuel's dead!" she wailed. - -Jo Ann shook her head as she answered, "I can't believe that he is." - -Shuddering, Peggy went on: "I'd planned to wait for you two before I took -a step when I got up. The lights are off up there. Whoever killed Manuel -must've cut off the lights." - -"Mr. Eldridge'll have some kind of a light, surely. If Manuel's -breathing--I can't help feeling that he is--do everything you can for -him." - -Soon the quivering Peggy was inside the bag and being slowly pulled up -the shaft. When, however, she had ascended only a short way, something -went wrong with the cable, and the bag hung suspended--motionless. - -Peggy's terrified shriek echoed and re-echoed through the shaft. - -"Horrors!" gasped Florence. "I hope the cable's not stuck. Sometimes -it'll get stuck that way for an hour or more." - -"You'll be all right in a minute," Jo Ann called up to Peggy. "Don't get -scared." In a low voice she added to Florence, "I hope I'm telling the -whole truth." - -To their vast relief, in a few minutes the bag began to move upward once -more. - -"Thank goodness!" Florence ejaculated. "Which one of us had better go up -next? I'd like to, but if you----" - -Jo Ann's impulse was to speak up, "Let me go," but, instead, she replied, -"You go on. I have a flashlight, and you haven't." - -Several minutes later, with mingled feelings of relief and fear, she -watched Florence being pulled up till she was above the reach of the -flashlight's beam. All was eerie blackness now. The shadows began to take -on weird ghostlike shapes. Was that a man crouching over there? The -smuggler? - -An involuntary shudder shivered through her body. She must not let her -imagination run riot this way. She steadied her lower lip to prevent its -trembling. - -At last the bag loomed into view, and after an anxious wait she got -inside it. Slowly--painfully slowly she began to ascend. - -When she was about halfway up, the cable suddenly spun around, knocking -the bag against the rocky side of the shaft. She felt a stinging -sensation in her right arm as it struck the rocks. Clutching her -flashlight more tightly and cringing with pain, she lifted her arm to -protect her light. It was too late. The flashlight had been broken--badly -smashed. - -In another moment she had forgotten about her injured arm and broken -flashlight in a more serious trouble. The bag was stuck--not moving -either up or down. She stifled a shriek that was threatening to escape -her lips. No wonder Peggy had cried out. And it was worse this time. -There was utter darkness below. No one to call up comfortingly from the -bottom of the shaft. No one at the top either. Both girls were probably -hovering over Manuel now, if he---- Had they found by now that he really -was dead? - -She must shut out that terrifying picture from her mind. It seemed, -though, to be outlined against the darkness in a glaring light that -refused to be blotted out. How long would she have to hang this way in -midair, seeing this horrible picture? - -"Better to hang suspended than to be dashed to the bottom on those -rocks," she told herself. "Peg was in the same plight, and now she's up -safely. But then she was stuck only two or three minutes, and you've been -here ten or fifteen at least," she reminded herself discouragedly. - -Endless ages dragged on, it seemed to her, as she hung there. Would this -suspense never end? Had anything happened to Jose? Had he been killed, -too? - -At last, when her hopes had almost ebbed away, she felt the bag moving -upward. Actually going up now. As she neared the top and drew in deep -breaths of the fresh air, a great wave of gratitude swept over her. - -Once safely out on the ground, she began feeling her way through the -darkness toward the light on her left. Jose hurried up just then with a -lantern in his hand. - -"Tell me about Manuel--he is not dead, is he?" she asked him quickly. - -"I think he is. He look dead when I see him," Jose answered brokenly. -"That wicked Luis--he knock him down. I catch Luis and tie him to a -tree." He gestured to the right. - -"Luis! That miner Mr. Eldridge discharged for stealing?" - -"Yes." - -"But why did he want to hurt Manuel? Manuel didn't discharge him." - -"Manuel tell him to keep away." Jose went on to explain that Luis had -thrown a crowbar back of the switchboard, so the _malacate_ would not -work, and that when Manuel had tried to grab him Luis had knocked him -down. There was a triumphant tone in his voice as he added, "I catch -Luis. I fix him." - -"How did it happen that you came up here? You didn't come with us." - -Jose hesitated a moment, then replied, "I saw you come up here, and I -think _El Senor_ need me. He tell me to take Luis down to the big house -now. I leave you now." - -On nearing the _malacate_ Jo Ann could see Manuel's inert figure lying on -the ground, Mr. Eldridge bending over him, and the girls standing near -by. - -"Is he----" Jo Ann left her question unfinished, but both girls knew what -she meant. - -"He's still alive," Florence whispered. "Unconscious. I could feel his -pulse. His skin is a clammy cold. I wish I had some hot-water bottles to -put around him." - -"Thank goodness he's still alive!" Jo Ann exclaimed softly. - -"We've put our sweaters over him," Peggy added, gesturing to the sweaters -on Manuel's body. "I can't think of anything else to do." - -"We might heat some rocks or bricks and put around him," Jo Ann suggested -eagerly. - -"Good idea," approved Mr. Eldridge, who had overheard her. "I'll help -you. We must do something to help him, since it'll be hours before we can -get a doctor here." - -They hurried about gathering wood and soon built a small fire on some -flat stones. As soon as the stones were hot, they pushed them out of the -fire, then covered them with some old pieces of a torn blanket. - -"We must be absolutely certain these rocks'll not burn him," Jo Ann -cautioned. "Persons suffering from shock are more easily burned than -usual. My scout book said never to put anything hot next the patient till -it could be held against your face for a minute without feeling too hot." -She tested each stone before passing it on to Mr. Eldridge to place next -to the unconscious figure. - -After that was done, Jo Ann began rubbing his arms toward the body. - -"Why's she doing that?" queried Peggy in a low voice. - -"I think it's to restore the circulation." - -When Jo Ann was still rubbing his arms, Manuel's eyelids began to -flicker. - -"He's beginning to become conscious," Mr. Eldridge said, low-voiced. "As -soon as Jose comes back he and I'll carry him down to the house. There -isn't any serious bleeding, so I feel sure it'll be safe to carry him -now. We'll have to make a stretcher." - -No sooner had he finished speaking than Jo Ann dashed away, returning -shortly with two poles. Mr. Eldridge immediately jerked off his coat and -pulled the poles through the sleeves, then tied a piece of blanket -securely to the poles also. By that time Jose was back from taking Luis -to the house. With Mr. Eldridge's help Jose tenderly lifted the injured -man upon the improvised stretcher and set off down the trail, careful to -hold the poles as steady as possible. - -The girls followed close behind, Jo Ann bringing up the rear. - -"Do you know where Jose took the prisoner?" Peggy asked Jo Ann. - -"Yes. To our house." - -"Gracious! That's awful. I'll never be able to sleep a wink tonight, -knowing he's in the same house that we are." - -"It's the safest place to keep him in the camp. The walls are as thick as -a regular prison's, and there're iron bars to all the windows. Besides, -Jose'll guard him." - -"It makes me shivery all over to know he's under our roof." - -"I don't believe even a Houdini could escape from that house," Jo Ann -assured her. "You'll be safe. Don't worry." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - JO ANN FINDS A WAY - - -Although Peggy had vowed she would never be able to close her eyes all -night with that prisoner in the house, she was so tired that she was not -long in dropping off to sleep. Exhausted by their exciting experiences, -all three slept till late the next morning. - -"For a welcome change," as Florence expressed it afterwards, Miss -Prudence had not wanted to get an early start to go somewhere or to do -some housework, and so had allowed them to drowse on undisturbed. - -The first thing Jo Ann saw on waking was the smiling Maria carrying in a -tray of food. - -As Maria set the tray on the small table between the beds, she remarked, -"Miss Prudencia say you may have your breakfast in bed. You were so -brave--so good to help Manuel last night." - -"_Muchas gracias_," replied Jo Ann, eying delightedly the golden toast, -oranges, crisp brown bacon, and cups of steaming chocolate. - -Peggy and Florence chimed in with their thanks; then Peggy put in -quickly, "Florence, ask her if the prisoner is still in the house." - -Florence promptly relayed this question. - -Maria nodded. "_Si._ Jose watch good all night." She went on to add that -Jose had just come into the kitchen and had said he wanted to tell the -senoritas something about Luis. - -"Don't you know what it is?" Florence asked curiously. - -"No. Miss Prudencia send me out of the kitchen then, and Jose leave." - -"Is Jose going to the village to get the _rurales_ to come after Luis -this morning?" - -"_Si._" - -"Tell him when he comes back that we want to go with him. Tell him to -have the horses ready for us." - -With a nod of assent Maria left the room. - -Jo Ann began eating an orange, a thoughtful expression in her dark brown -eyes. A moment later she remarked, "I shouldn't wonder if that Luis was -hired by the smuggler to do all the damage he could." - -"Why, what makes you think that?" asked Peggy in surprise. "You haven't -seen them together, have you?" - -"No." - -"And you've never seen that smuggler here again since that first time, -have you?" - -"No." - -"Then why this sudden idea?" - -"Because two men in the same small mining camp who have a grievance -against the mine owners would be likely to get together. They'd have a -common interest--to get even." - -Peggy smiled. "Oh, you Miss Sherlock!" - -"Your mentioning the smuggler reminds me that the pottery woman said -she'd have the pottery ready for us today," put in Florence. "I want you -girls to help me select the finest pieces as samples to send to my friend -in St. Louis for her curio shop. It'll be quite a job to get them packed -right. I was in hopes Jose would have time to help me pack them. His -having to get the officers this morning might interfere." - -"I don't think it will," Jo Ann replied. "Do you think you could get a -crate in the village and pack your pottery there?" - -"I doubt it. They've never shipped any pottery by train. I believe I'll -take the pottery to Jitters' House, and Jose can hunt up something around -there to make a crate out of." - -By the time the girls had finished eating and had dressed in riding -outfits, Jose was waiting for them with the horses. - -As soon as they came out, Florence asked Jose what it was that he had to -tell them about the prisoner, Luis. After he had explained in a rapid -flow of Spanish, Florence passed the news to the eager Jo Ann and Peggy. -"He said Luis had told him that some strange man had promised to give him -a few _pesos_ if he would wreck the mine machinery. He believes, judging -by Luis's description, that this stranger was one of the men the pottery -woman warned us about." - -"So I guessed right," Jo Ann spoke up. - -"It doesn't seem fair for Luis to get a prison sentence and for the -smuggler to go free," Peggy said, low-voiced, to Jo Ann. - -"Both of those smugglers're going to get caught yet--you'll see." Jo -Ann's head bobbed up and down emphatically. - -"Does that mean you're going to try to catch them?" Peggy asked, an -anxious note in her voice. - -"Wait and see," Jo Ann replied teasingly as she leaped on her horse. - -On reaching the village Jose went in search of the officers while the -girls drove to the pottery woman's shack to buy the _ollas_ and vases. - -With the greatest care Florence, with the girls' help, selected the most -artistic designs and shapes from the piles of pottery. "If my friend -likes these pieces as well's I do," she said, "I know she'll buy -regularly from these villagers and take a large per cent of their output. -They'll get ever so much more money, too, than they have been getting. -We'll be doing them a good turn, as well as my friend." - -At Jo Ann's urging Florence then began adroitly questioning the woman -about when she was expecting the men to come after the pottery this week. - -"They send me word they come in two days," she replied. - -"That'll be Friday, then," commented Jo Ann, who had caught the woman's -words. - -After they had finished choosing the pieces of pottery, they packed them -in the back of the car. - -"I'd like to know where Jose's going to sit now," observed Peggy as she -crowded into the front seat with Jo Ann and Florence. - -"He'll manage someway," Jo Ann smiled. - -On reaching Pedro's store they found Jose waiting for them. - -"Did you find the _rurales_?" Florence asked him. - -"_Si_, I find two. They have gone to the mine to get Luis. They say they -do not need me to help." - -"Good," Florence approved. "Now you can help me pack these _ollas_ and -vases." - -After Jose had squeezed into the back seat and they were driving off, -Peggy remarked to Florence, "What puzzles me is how are you going to get -the pottery shipped after you get it packed? There's no railroad and no -truck service here. Someone'll have to take it to the city. How're you -going to get it to the city?" - -"I thought we'd drive in ourselves if--if----" - -"We can't let there be any ifs about it," broke in Jo Ann crisply. "We've -got to get to the city tomorrow. I've got to get word to the mystery man -to be on the lookout for the smugglers Friday." - -"Couldn't you write to him?" Peggy asked. - -"It wouldn't reach him in time. They take the mail in to the city every -other day. I asked at the store, and the mail's already been sent, and no -more'll be sent till Friday. That'd be too late." - -"But Miss Prudence'll probably say 'nothing doing' when we tell her we -want to drive to the city," persisted Peggy. "She said she didn't like -riding in Jitters well enough to take another trip to the city soon." - -"I heard her say yesterday that she had to have some more supplies--that -she just couldn't keep house without a larger variety of food," Florence -remarked. "She said we'd all be having scurvy and beri-beri and all sorts -of diseases if we didn't have a greater variety." - -Jo Ann smiled. "That sounds good to me--not the diseases, of course. -We'll tell her we'll bring her a load of good eats--fresh fruits and -vegetables and anything she asks for. I'm going to get word to the -mystery man--or bust." - -Both girls laughed, and Peggy added a moment later, "Puff out your cheeks -and prepare to bust, Jo, 'cause Miss Prudence won't let you go." - -"You underrate my persuasive powers, and you don't realize how tired she -is of preparing the same menus, day after day. I heard her say the other -day that about the only thing Pedro sold at his store was beans, beans, -beans." - -When they reached Jitters' House, Jose set to work at once to make a -crate. The girls wrapped each piece of pottery with the paper they had -brought for that purpose and carefully placed the smaller jars inside the -larger ones. When the crate was finished, they packed excelsior around -the jars and in every inch of space. That done, Jose carried the crate -over to the house across the road, for safe-keeping. - -With a wide smile Jo Ann remarked, "We'll have to get an early start -tomorrow morning to take our crate to the city. We'll have to promise to -make the trip there and back in one day, I know." - -When they were riding horseback on the mountain trail, they met the -_rurales_ taking their prisoner to the village. The girls urged their -horses close to the cliff to allow room for them to pass on the narrow -trail. - -After they had gone by, Jo Ann said gravely, "I hope it won't be long -till the smugglers are prison-bound, too. I believe this Luis was just -their tool." - -As soon as they had entered the house, the girls hunted up Miss Prudence, -and Jo Ann told of their plan to take the pottery to the city the next -day and get supplies for her. - -Miss Prudence pursed up her lips thoughtfully and remained silent for -some time before answering. - -Jo Ann, with her usual impatience, could not stand this quiet and -suspense and began talking about the necessity of a more varied diet. "We -need more fruit and vegetables to have a balanced diet, don't you think? -Our home economics teacher told us at school that it was absolutely -necessary for us to get plenty of fruit, as most of it has vitamin B. -It's that vitamin that makes our nerves normal and steady, she said." - -Miss Prudence's lips relaxed into a whimsical smile. "Well, we certainly -need our nerves steadied after last night's wild excitement." She grew -grave again. "I believe that Luis was trying to kill Ed and you girls." - -Jo Ann did not stop to argue this point but kept to the diet question. -"If you'll make a list of the things you want, we'll have them here for -you tomorrow evening." - -"Before dark?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, I hesitate to give my consent. Maybe I'd better go with you--but, -no. I feel as if I ought to stay and nurse Manuel. Maria has no more idea -than a jay bird about how to take care of sick folks. Why, when I put -some rolls of bandage in the hot oven to sterilize this morning, she -looked at me as if she thought I was crazy!" - -In spite of her hesitation, Jo Ann finally succeeded in persuading her to -let them go to the city. - -"If you set the alarm clock for four-thirty and get up then, I believe -you can make the trip in one day," she said as the girls were about to -leave. "Take my clock to your room." She reached over to the near-by -table, picked up her alarm clock, and set it to go off at that hour -before handing it to Jo Ann. - -It was hard for Jo Ann to keep from laughing, as she could see Florence's -eyes twinkling, and Peggy holding her hand over her mouth to check her -mirth. - -At the first sound of the alarm the next morning, Jo Ann reached over and -turned it off, then popped out of bed and began dressing. Florence rose -almost as promptly, but it required much persuasion from both of them to -get Peggy out of bed. - -"I'm not keen on this trip anyway, since we won't get to stay in the city -tonight and promenade on the Plaza," she grumbled drowsily as she sat on -the edge of the bed, making no move to dress. "I'm not interested in -seeing an old mystery man, as Jo Ann is." - -"Only in handsome young Mexican ones," Jo Ann grinned. "Well, you may -pass your smiling young Mexican on the street today." - -"If I should, I'd look very romantic sitting in an old car packed with a -huge crate, now, wouldn't I? He'd think I was bringing chickens or -something to market." - -Both girls laughed at Peggy's disgusted tone. - -"That reminds me," Jo Ann added, "that we must go straight to the market -as soon as we reach the city." - -By the time they had dressed and had eaten a hurried breakfast, Jose was -waiting for them with the horses. To their surprise he rode on up the -trail with them. - -"I didn't know you were going with us," Florence remarked to him. - -"Miss Prudencia say I must take you to the village and go back for you -this afternoon." - -"That's good. It might be late this evening before we get back, but we're -counting on getting back before dark." - -As soon as they reached Jitters' House, they changed their clothes while -Jose was putting the pottery crate into their car. - -"Jitters is a picture now," Peggy remarked on coming out to the car. - -"You'll be sure to see your handsome young man today," teased Jo Ann. - -So interested were the girls in their plans for the day, as they drove -through the village, that Jo Ann for once forgot to look over at the -pottery woman's shack till after she had reached Pedro's store. "Did -either of you notice if the pottery was still piled up by the woman's -house?" she asked. - -Both shook their heads. - -"I'm sure it must be still there. The woman seemed to be certain that the -men weren't coming till tomorrow to get it. She said they'd sent her word -this time." - -As there was little travel on the road, Jo Ann was able to make good -time. As usual, she had planned to let Florence drive when they neared -the city. - -"At the rate you're speeding, Jo," Florence remarked finally, "we'll be -in town before we realize it." - -Jo Ann laughed. "Speeding in Jitters? Impossible. That old car in front -of us isn't built for speeding, either. It's been keeping ahead at about -the same distance for the last hour." - -"So I've noticed," said Peggy. "It must be of the same year's vintage as -Jitters." - -"If she is, Jitters can beat her. I'm going to step on it and see if I -can't gain on her." With that Jo Ann stepped on the gas, and soon their -car was lessening the distance between it and the car ahead. - -As they drew closer Jo Ann suddenly uttered an excited little cry. - -"What's the matter?" queried Florence and Peggy together. - -"That's the smugglers' car!" - -"You're crazy, Jo!" ejaculated Peggy derisively. - -"It can't be!" Florence cried. - -"But it is! I'm positive it is." - -"You're just guessing," retorted Peggy. "You can't tell from here." - -"I'm going to pass that car, and you look hard, Florence, and see if -those men aren't the smugglers and if it isn't piled full of pottery." - -"Oh, don't, Jo," begged Peggy, now beginning to be afraid that Jo Ann -might be right. "Don't try to pass it." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - AN EXCITING RACE - - -With a warning honk of her horn Jo Ann sped up and started to pass the -other car. - -Almost simultaneously one of the men turned and stared incredulously, -then shouted out a sharp order. The next instant the other man swerved -his car dangerously toward them, trying to force them off into a deep -ditch. - -"Oh, step on it!" cried Peggy. "Step on it!" - -"They're trying to hit us!" shrieked Florence. - -Somewhere from the back of Jo Ann's mind came the command, "Keep your -head!" - -Automatically her nerves and muscles obeyed. She turned her car sharply -and swiftly out toward the ditch as close as she dared, giving it all the -gas that it would take. - -For a perilous moment that seemed ages-long to the girls the car hovered -near the edge of the bank. Instinctively both Florence and Peggy leaned -to the other side of the car, as if to make their weight the deciding -factor in keeping the car from falling into the ditch. - -Then, to their unbounded relief, their car swept by, missing the other by -a few inches. - -"A miracle!" gasped Peggy. - -"Keep stepping on it!" implored Peggy as she turned to look back at the -smugglers' car. "They're coming full tilt after us." - -"O-oh, hear them yelling at us!" put in Florence, her eyes dilated with -fright. "They're trying to catch us. Step on it! Suppose they should -shoot at us--or our tires!" - -Though Jo Ann heard the girls' earnest pleas, she wasted no energy in -replying. Every cell in her brain must be centered on driving. That car -was still dangerously near. They might push past and try that same trick -of forcing her into the ditch on the other side. Moreover, the road ahead -was much steeper and narrower. It wound threadlike up the mountain side. -What if those smugglers should deliberately wait and force them off that -high road! To be knocked off that steep rocky cliff would mean death for -all of them. And what if her engine should go bad up there--or a tire -blow out! "Steady, Jo," she ordered herself. "Stop worrying and -concentrate on driving." - -"They're not gaining an inch," Florence called out encouragingly then. - -"But they're not losing any," added Peggy. - -When, in spite of her determination not to worry, she had to slow down at -turns in the winding road, she found her breath coming more and more -quickly. Perhaps the smugglers could make the turns faster. - -Again and again Florence encouraged her with, "They're not gaining." - -Finally, when they were nearing the highest stretch of all, Florence -exclaimed, "They're dropping behind a little now! See, Peg!" - -"Hot ziggity! They are, sure enough!" cried Peggy, vastly relieved. "I -believe the worst's over. But don't slow down, Jo." - -"I won't any more than I have to," Jo Ann replied, cheered immensely by -the girls' assurance that the smugglers were dropping behind in the race. - -"Good old Jo--and good old Jitters," praised Florence. "They can't be -beaten." - -"Don't brag too soon," Jo Ann found time to say in short, clipped -sentences. - -She was determined to keep Jitters running at the greatest speed -possible, and yet not be reckless in making the many sharp curves. With -mind and eyes ever alert, she watched the road. She must be ready for any -emergency. - -Florence and Peggy kept turning every minute or two to watch the pursuing -car. - -"It's losing ground right along," Peggy kept saying, ending each time -with, "isn't it, Florence?" - -Each time, to Jo Ann's joy, Florence would reply with an emphatic "Yes." - -Still Jo Ann held to the maximum speed possible for safety. "Nothing like -being on the safe side," she told herself. "They might gain on us on the -down grade." - -After they were on the downward stretch, both girls assured her that they -believed the danger was over. "They'll never catch us now unless we have -engine or tire trouble." - -A few minutes later, on glancing back, Peggy exclaimed triumphantly, -"They've about stopped! They've stopped now! On that highest curve. One -of them's getting out now. Maybe they have a flat." - -"Here's hoping they have two flats," smiled Florence. - -"Why not wish for three, for good measure?" added Jo Ann. - -"Say, aren't you thankful Miss Prudence isn't along?" Peggy asked -suddenly. - -Both girls smiled, and Peggy went on, "She'd have had heart failure or -something by this time." - -"No, she wouldn't," declared Jo Ann. "She'd have rallied to the cause and -encouraged me on, as you two did. When it comes to the test, she's strong -for action and plenty of it." - -A few minutes later Florence announced that it would not be long till -they would reach the city. "Do you think we'd better change, Jo, and let -me take the wheel?" - -Jo Ann shook her head. "I don't want to stop even long enough for that." - -"Oh, no, don't change," begged Peggy, immediately disturbed at the idea -of stopping. - -"I know the shortest way to the market now, and that's where we want to -go first," Jo Ann declared. "I've got to find the mystery man at once, so -he can get on the smugglers' trail." - -"It won't be easy for him to follow them even then," Peggy said -thoughtfully. "Can't they go around the city some way?" - -"No, that's the only road till they get to the edge of the city," replied -Florence. "They'll probably not come up into the main part." - -"I imagine the mystery man'll phone or telegraph to the officers on both -sides of the border to be on the lookout," put in Jo Ann. "They could -catch more of the gang that way." - -When Jo Ann turned into the street leading to the market, Florence -remarked, "It'll be no use trying to find a parking place in front of the -market. It's always full. You'll save time by parking in the first empty -place you find within a reasonable distance. I've wasted as much as half -an hour hunting for a parking place down here." - -"We mustn't waste any time anyway," Peggy put in. "We have lots of things -to buy for Miss Prudence, and I've a little shopping I want to do, too. -We can be doing our buying while Jo hunts up her mystery man." - -At quite a little distance from the market Jo Ann found a parking place. -No sooner had she stopped the car than she sprang out, saying, "I'll meet -you at that same booth in front, where we waited the other day." - -Off she rushed down the street, her fast-flying steps causing more than -one Mexican to say smilingly, "_Americana_." - -When Peggy tried to lock the car a few moments later, she found that she -couldn't. "Something's gone wrong with it," she said, handing the key to -Florence. "See if you can make it work." - -After several unsuccessful efforts Florence slipped the keys into her -purse, saying, "Oh, let's don't worry any more about trying to lock it. -We can get a boy to watch the car for us." Hardly had she finished -speaking than she caught a glimpse of the newsboy with whom Carlitos had -been so friendly. "Here's the very boy!" she exclaimed, gesturing to him -to come to her. - -The boy's large black eyes lit in swift recognition, and he ran over to -her side. - -Florence quickly explained to him that she wanted him to watch the car -while she went to the market. - -With a nod of assent the boy answered, smiling, "_Si._ I watch good for -you. You are Carlitos's friend." - -"He'll watch it right; we won't have to worry," Florence said confidently -as she and Peggy walked on down to the market. - -Soon they were busily buying fruit and vegetables. - -In the meantime Jo Ann had elbowed her way through the crowded aisles of -the market to the pottery booth at the back. On reaching the booth she -stared around, anxious-eyed, hunting for the mystery man. Oh, where was -he? There wasn't a sign of him anywhere. He'd said he was always around -here at this time of day. What if he should've missed coming this day? - -She walked slowly back of the booth and on around to the front again, her -eyes scanning every man in sight. "He's not here," she told herself -finally, "and I don't know where else to go to look for him. Oh dear! The -smugglers'll get away again." - -Just as she had reached this discouraging conclusion a stalwart, -olive-skinned man with a dark mustache and black hat stepped up to her -side and said in a low tone, "Don't show your surprise--I'm the man -you're looking for." - -The mystery man! Jo Ann barely suppressed a gasp of amazement. Disguised -as a Mexican. The same aquiline nose and gray eyes, but how startlingly -different he looked. - -In almost an inaudible voice she told him as quickly as she could about -the smugglers being on the way to the city. - -The man's eyes shone on hearing this news. "Good work. We'll follow them -this time and try to get the ringleaders of the gang as well as those -two. I must get word to my men right away on both sides. You're still at -the La Esperanza Mine?" - -"Yes." - -"I'll let you know how I come out. Many thanks for your help." With that -the man rushed off toward a side exit. - -Feeling relieved and happy that she had succeeded in delivering this -message, Jo Ann walked on to the front to look for the girls and found -them, as she had thought she would, buying fruit and vegetables. - -Peggy was the first to spy her. "You don't have to tell us you've had -success, Jo," she said. "You're smiling from ear to ear." - -"I didn't mean to be that jubilant." - -"You have a right to be happy," Florence said warmly. "Peg and I are -glad, too, aren't we?" - -"Sure." - -While Peggy and Florence selected the fruit and vegetables, Jo Ann made -the other purchases, chiefly by means of the sign language, as her -Spanish was not sufficient for bargaining. As soon as they had all -finished their buying, Florence found two small Mexican boys to carry -their piles of packages to the car. With the boys at their heels they -started out to the street, Florence in the lead. - -Just as she stepped out on the street, Florence caught sight of the -newsboy, his face and head bleeding, almost surrounded by a crowd of -people. - -"Gracious! What can have happened to the poor child?" she gasped as she -ran toward him. - -As soon as he saw Florence the newsboy began explaining between sobs, -"Oh, senorita, two men--stole--your car! I try to stop them--and one of -them--knock me down." - -"Oh, that is terrible!" Florence cried, at the same time scrutinizing his -wounds. "Not deep, but painful," she decided before going on to question -him about the appearance of the men. - -Brokenly, the boy began describing the man who had hit him. "He had a -scar--on his chin--and one eye squinted--an evil eye." - -"That sounds like the taller one of the smugglers," Florence decided -immediately. "Was he the taller one of the two men?" she asked. - -"_Si._ I try to keep them--from stealing your car, but----" The boy -stopped talking to sob afresh. - -"I'm sure you tried," Florence comforted him. "Here is some money." She -handed him some coins and then a clean handkerchief, adding, "Wipe the -blood with this." - -A tall professional-looking man stepped up just then and remarked, "I -will look after the boy." - -With a "_Muchas gracias_" and an "_Adios_" to the boy, Florence hurried -back to Jo Ann and Peggy, who were standing near by, still wondering what -had happened. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - MORE TROUBLES - - -As soon as she drew near, Florence burst out excitedly, "Our car's -stolen!" - -Jo Ann's and Peggy's eyes stretched to their widest, and their lower jaws -dropped. - -Jo Ann was the first to recover from the shock. "Our car's stolen! Why, -who could've----Oh, it must've been the smugglers!" - -"I'm sure it was," Florence replied. "The newsboy described one of them -exactly--the taller one." - -Peggy gasped audibly. "That settles it, then." - -"He hit the boy--knocked him down--then they drove off in our car." - -"I don't understand why the smuggler should've hit the boy," put in Jo -Ann bewilderedly. "What'd the boy have to do with the affair?" - -Florence and Peggy exchanged glances, then Florence answered, "I hired -the boy to watch our car while we went to the market. The lock on the car -wouldn't work. I'm to blame." - -"Oh--I'm beginning to see now." The bewildered expression on Jo Ann's -face slipped away, and a look of determination took its place. "We've got -to get our car back right away." She drew her brows together into a -little frowning line of concentration. - -"Hadn't we better report it to the police?" Peggy asked. - -Jo Ann shook her head. "Not yet. Maybe later. I believe we'd better hunt -up the mystery man and tell----" She halted abruptly. "But maybe he's -left the city already. I hope not. I want to tell him our car's license -number, so he can follow it--especially since the smugglers might've -discarded their car entirely. But maybe one of them might drive ours and -the other one their car. Come on. We'll plan what to do as we walk." She -caught Florence with one hand and Peggy with the other. - -"But where're we going?" queried Peggy. - -"Anywhere so we can get away from this crowd," Florence whispered, eying -the curious onlookers, who were waiting to see what the _Americanas_ were -going to do. - -No sooner had the girls started off down the street than Florence -remembered about the two little boys carrying their packages. She glanced -around and saw them following close behind, the packages piled up in -their arms almost as high as their chins. "Gracious!" she exclaimed. "We -can't have them following us everywhere. We'd better have them take the -packages back to the market and leave them there for a while. Walk -slowly, and I'll catch up with you in a shake." - -She wheeled about, gave a quick order in Spanish to the boys, and then -accompanied them to the market. After leaving the packages at the same -booth where they had waited before and paying the boys a few _centavos_, -she flew back to the girls. - -"I've decided to go to the telephone exchange first," Jo Ann announced to -her quickly. "Where is it?" - -"One block down, then turn to the right and go about a block and a half." - -"Let's step on it." Jo Ann strode off in what Peggy always called her -"long-legged gallop," which meant that both she and Florence had to take -two or three steps to Jo Ann's one. - -Having caught up with Jo Ann by running, Florence asked, "Why--are -you--going to the exchange?" - -"'Cause I feel sure that he was going to do some long-distance -phoning--and he started off in this direction." With that she galloped -off faster than ever. - -"People'll think we're crazy--running--along like this," puffed Peggy. - -Florence nodded assent "They're saying, 'Ah, those--queer _Americanas_!'" - -The two girls reached the exchange at last in time for Florence to help -Jo Ann question one of the operators. The man they had described, the -operator replied, had left only a few minutes before. - -"Where did he go?" Jo Ann asked quickly. - -The operator shook her head. "That I do not know." - -"Now where?" Peggy asked Jo Ann curiously. - -"To the telegraph office. He'd probably have to telegraph, too, to some -of the inspectors. Where's the telegraph office, Florence?" - -"Go back to the corner where we just turned. It's a block past the -market." - -"Oh, gosh!" Jo Ann exploded. "Just my luck to go to the wrong place -first. Come on." - -Off she rushed out of the building and soon was several yards ahead of -the other two. By the time she had reached the telegraph office, she was -panting, her cheeks a brilliant scarlet with beads of perspiration -running down them. - -Just as she dashed in, she bumped into a man hurrying out. - -"Oh--I--beg your----" she began, then gasped, "Oh, it's _you_! I've--been -hunting--for you!" - -"What's happened?" the mystery man asked, guiding her outside, away from -the curious stare of the people in the office. - -As quickly as she could manage in her breathless state, she recounted -what had happened. - -"Glad you found me in time," he replied. "I was just ready to leave in -pursuit. What's your car's number?" He jerked out a notebook from his -pocket and jotted down the number she gave him. "I'll try to get your car -back to you," he added then. "About your getting home this afternoon----" - -He broke off in the middle of his sentence and turned to the tall, erect -Mexican man standing back of him, whom Jo Ann now noticed for the first -time. "Gonzales, I want you to drive this girl and her friends to their -home out beyond San Geronimo. She'll tell you how to get there, if you -don't know." He turned again to Jo Ann, saying, "This is Juan Gonzales, -my right-hand man; Gonzales, this is my right-hand girl, Miss Jo Ann -Cutrer. Take good care of her." He addressed Jo Ann again: "He's a -careful driver. I'll write to you as soon as I can." With an "Adios" he -hurried on to the curb, sprang into a tan roadster, and drove off -rapidly. - -By that time Peggy and Florence had come puffing up, and after -introducing Mr. Gonzales to them, Jo Ann explained that he was to drive -them home. Florence, with her knowledge of Mexicans and their language, -talked for a few minutes in Spanish with the stranger before agreeing to -this plan. Having decided that he was a gentleman and trustworthy, she -told Jo Ann that she, for one, thought they ought to be starting back -home shortly. "As soon as we get our packages at the market, we'll be -ready, won't we?" - -"I have a few things I'd like to get," spoke up Peggy. - -"How long will it take you to finish your shopping?" Mr. Gonzales asked -in excellent English, surprising them all so that there was a moment's -silence before Peggy answered, "I'll be ready in about fifteen or twenty -minutes. You girls will be too, won't you?" - -Both nodded assent. - -"Very well, I'll have Mr. Andrews's other car here waiting by that time -for you." - -"Mr. Andrews's car?" Jo Ann repeated puzzledly, then smiled. "You mean -the mystery man's car. We've called him the mystery man so long that I'd -forgotten for the moment that he'd told me his name was Andrews. I'll try -to remember that hereafter." - -The girls hurried off to finish their shopping and in about a quarter of -an hour were back at the corner. Almost at the same minute Mr. Gonzales -drove up in a sedan, and the girls climbed into the back seat, piling -their packages on the floor. - -Jo Ann noted with satisfaction that Mr. Gonzales was a careful driver, -weaving in and out the traffic with ease and taking no unnecessary risks. -Having arrived at this conclusion she relaxed somewhat and began talking -over their exciting experiences with the girls. "One thing I'm thankful -for is that we three paid for Jitters ourselves," she remarked. "Wouldn't -it be terrible if, say, Miss Prudence, had been a part owner? Wouldn't -you hate to tell her about the car's having been stolen?" - -Both nodded emphatically, and Florence added, "I've been wondering if -we'd better tell her. I rather think not. She'd get all stirred up over -it, and besides, the mystery man'll probably get Jitters back to us in a -few days. How about keeping quiet about it for a while?" - -"I'm in favor of keeping mum till we hear from Mr. Andrews," Peggy put -in. "If he writes he couldn't find the car, why, of course, we'll have to -tell Miss Prudence and Mr. Eldridge then." - -"When Jose meets us at Jitters' House this afternoon," Jo Ann broke in, -"he'll know something's wrong at once. He'll want to know what's become -of Jitters." - -"We'll tell him the truth and ask him to say nothing about it for a few -days--till we tell him he may," Florence suggested. "He already knows -about those men being angry at us for getting the pottery they'd planned -to buy. That reminds me, I feel mighty bad about losing that pottery. I'd -written my friend I was shipping it, and she'll be expecting it." - -"Mr. Andrews may recover it when--or if--he finds our car," Peggy -remarked. - -"I certainly hope he recovers both the car and the pottery," Jo Ann said -with a sigh. "When I think of that gang of smugglers he's fighting--well, -I just get scared stiff. I'm afraid they're going to kill him before it's -all over." - -"Let's try not to worry," advised Florence. - -When they finally reached Jitters' House, they found Jose waiting for -them with the horses. His black eyes widened in surprise on seeing them -getting out of a strange car. - -After the girls had thanked Mr. Gonzales and he had started off toward -the city, Florence told the mystified Jose what had happened, ending, "Do -not tell anyone about the car's having been stolen." - -"I will not tell," he promised. - -As the rest of the family had finished eating dinner by the time the -girls had reached the house, they ate alone and thus escaped being -questioned as much as they would have been otherwise. Shortly afterward -they went on to their bedroom. So engrossed were they still in talking -over their adventures that it was late before they could compose -themselves and go to sleep. - -The next day lagged snail-like to the girls. All three went about their -household tasks with an air of subdued suspense. - -Over and over Jo Ann found herself wondering about the mystery man. Was -he still alive? Perhaps even now he was lying badly injured--dying in -some remote gully in the desert. Had that awful presentiment he'd had -about losing his life--had it actually come to pass, or was it about to? -She shuddered at these gloomy thoughts. - -Noticing how worried Jo Ann looked, both girls realized that it was the -mystery man's fate more than the loss of the car that was troubling her. -They both tried to take her mind off this subject, and Peggy even tried a -bit of teasing finally in her effort to make her less pessimistic. - -"You're going around here with such a long face that your chin almost -touches the floor," she told her. "Miss Prudence'll be wondering what's -the matter." - -"She's already asked me if you're sick, Jo," Florence added. "She said -you looked so pale and peaked that she'd about decided she'd better give -you some of her iron-strychnine tonic." - -"Ugh!" Jo Ann ejaculated, grimacing. "That's the vilest-tasting stuff in -the whole world. I'd better turn up the corners of my mouth into a grin -right now." In spite of these words, her lower lip trembled threateningly -as she added, "When you know some person's life is in danger, you can't -help thinking and worrying about it." - -"Snap out of the dumps," Peggy ordered. "I hear Miss Prudence coming. I -feel it in my bones that she's bringing her bottle of tonic." - -Jo Ann obediently tried to force her lips into the semblance of a smile. -Peggy's and Florence's lips curved upward without any difficulty when -they saw Miss Prudence enter, actually carrying a bottle. - -Jo Ann eyed the bottle askance a moment; then her face brightened into a -real smile as she read the label, "Furniture Polish." - -"You girls don't seem to know what to do with yourselves this morning," -Miss Prudence said briskly, "so I've decided to give you some extra -work--polishing the furniture." - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - WELCOME GUESTS - - -The next morning the girls waited anxiously for Jose to return from his -trip to the village for the mail. They had wanted to go with him, but -Miss Prudence had vetoed that plan with, "The sun's so hot today, and Jo -Ann's looking so pale, that I believe you'd better not take that long -horseback ride. I think I'd better begin giving her some of my -iron-strychnine tonic." - -Jo Ann shook her head vigorously. "Oh, no, I don't need any tonic! Indeed -I don't. Don't waste any of your medicine on me. When it's gone you'd -probably have to send back to the States for some more." - -"Well, I'll wait two or three days; then, if you're not looking better by -that time, you'll have to take that tonic without fail." Miss Prudence's -voice was firm. - -When the family sat down to eat their lunch, Jose had not yet returned -from the village. - -Noticing that Carlitos was not at the table, Peggy inquired of Miss -Prudence about him. - -"He went with Jose after the mail," she replied. - -No sooner had she finished her sentence than Carlitos burst into the -room, his blue eyes round and dark in his excitement. With his Spanish -words tumbling over each other in his haste he blurted out, "Ah, -senoritas, your automobile--it is stolen. Terrible!" - -Not being able to understand him, Miss Prudence and Peggy stared -wonderingly. Jo Ann's and Florence's faces, however, flamed scarlet with -embarrassment. - -"The cat's out of the bag now," flashed through Jo Ann's mind. "We'll -have to tell the whole tale." She could feel Mr. Eldridge's eyes boring -into hers. - -The next moment Miss Prudence ordered sternly, "Carlitos, speak English! -Tell me what's happened." - -In halting English Carlitos repeated that the girls' car had been stolen. - -"Stolen!" ejaculated Miss Prudence. "What next?" She turned to her -brother. "Do you suppose that Luis could've stolen it?" - -"No. The girls drove to the city after Luis was taken prisoner." - -By this time Jo Ann had recovered her wits sufficiently to say slowly, -"The car was stolen when we were in the city." - -"My stars!" Miss Prudence gasped. "Why--why didn't you tell us before -this? The idea of your not saying one word all this time! And you -might've been stolen--kidnaped--yourselves!" - -"Don't get so flustered, Prue," Mr. Eldridge advised. "The girls're safe -and sound if their car isn't." He looked over at Jo Ann. "Begin at the -first and tell us exactly what happened. Florence, you and Peggy put in -all the details she misses." - -Thus commanded, Jo Ann took a long breath and plunged into the story, -beginning at her first anxiety over the mystery man's presentiment about -his going to be killed. From that she went on to their discovery of the -smugglers' car in the desert, their finding them in the village, and her -reporting all this to the mystery man. - -Other than a few exclamations and gasps Miss Prudence did not interrupt. -But when Jo Ann stopped to catch her breath, she threw in, "Well, after -all this wild adventure, I'll be afraid to let you girls stick your noses -outside the door. And here I'd thought all this time I was the perfect -chaperon." - -The expression of stupefied amazement on his sister's face made Mr. -Eldridge smile half whimsically and say, "I've learned not to be amazed -at anything this trio pulls off. There're still several points not clear -in my mind, though." He began hurling question after question at the -girls, till each felt as if she were being cross-examined on the witness -stand. - -Finally he was satisfied that he had gathered together all the loose ends -of the story. His face was grave as he said, "I'm glad it's all turned -out as it has--so far, but hereafter don't get tangled up in any way -whatever with smugglers. They're a dangerous set, as Mr. Andrews told -you. Most of them would as soon shoot our officers as not. Indeed, they -seem to look upon them as good targets for their practice. The next time -you suspect anyone of being a smuggler, come tell me about it." - -So earnest and emphatic had Mr. Eldridge been that for the first time Jo -Ann realized fully the risks she had been running. "I'm through with -smugglers and their affairs from now on," she declared. "I was more to -blame for getting mixed up in this than Peggy and Florence. They'd have -kept out of it if it hadn't been for me." - -Florence spoke up promptly and began trying to share the blame, but Jo -Ann shook her head. "No, I'm the guilty one." - -After this well-deserved lecture Jo Ann felt "indigo blue," as she -expressed it to the girls afterward. "If I could only hear from Mr. -Andrews that he's all right and that the smugglers were caught and the -car found!" - -The next day dragged on interminably, so it seemed to Jo Ann in her low -state of mind. - -"Oh, cheer up, Jo," Peggy finally begged. "You're going to get good news -tomorrow, I feel it in my bones." - -"I hope your bones're trustworthy," Jo Ann returned; "but I have my -doubts about their power to prophesy." - -On the morning of the fourth day Jo Ann woke in a more cheerful mood. "I -believe we're going to hear from Mr. Andrews today," she told the girls. - -Peggy smiled. "Your bones must be getting prophetic, too." - -When Jose appeared at noon with a letter from Mr. Andrews, Peggy and -Florence were quite as excited as Jo Ann. - -"Hurry up!" Peggy implored, as Jo Ann began to open it. - -"Read it out loud--hurry!" urged Florence. - -In another moment Jo Ann had unfolded the letter. "Why, it has only three -lines in it! It just says, 'All is well. Am bringing your car Saturday -afternoon to San Geronimo. Hope to get there by four o'clock.'" - -Jo Ann's face was beaming by this time. "Just think! He's all right--and -so's Jitters!" - -"Gr-and!" chimed in Peggy, catching Jo Ann and Florence by the hands and -circling about in lively dancing steps. - -While they were still whirling about, Miss Prudence entered the room. - -Jo Ann checked her fast-flying feet and sang out, "We've swell, elegant -news! The mystery man's alive, and he's bringing our car to the village -this afternoon--about four o'clock." - -"Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that!" Miss Prudence exclaimed. "Let's -see--if he reaches the village that late, he'll probably come on out -here. We must have a good dinner for him. That's fine of him, bringing -your car all that distance. Suppose you girls come to the kitchen and -help me awhile. I'll see that he gets some good New England cooking." - -Jo Ann grinned. "That lets us girls out. We're from the South." - -Miss Prudence came back promptly with, "You're all good help just the -same. Come along." - -The three girls followed her to the kitchen and were soon busy helping -her prepare the salad and dessert. So diligently did they work that they -had finished before it was time for Jose to go to the village with the -horses for the two men to ride. - -"Let's go with Jose," Jo Ann suggested. - -"All right," agreed Peggy and Florence. - -All three hurried off at once to change into their riding outfits. - -When, about two hours later, they came in sight of Pedro's store, Jo -Ann's sharp eyes spied two cars in front of the building. "One of the -cars is a brand-new one. A beauty." - -"Maybe it's Mr. Andrews's," Peggy suggested. - -"That other one's his, I know. I wonder where he's parked Jitters. I -don't see her." - -"I hope nothing has happened to her," put in Florence. - -With their faces lit by the broadest smiles, the three sprang from their -horses and greeted Mr. Andrews, who had hurried out to meet them, Mr. -Gonzales following closely behind him. - -"Oh, we're so happy you're safe and sound--that you're both all right!" -Jo Ann welcomed them. - -"We certainly are, too, aren't we?" added Peggy. - -Florence nodded. "Yes, indeed." - -"Did you capture the smugglers--all of them?" Jo Ann asked eagerly in the -next breath. - -Mr. Andrews smiled. "Not all of them; but the three ringleaders and the -two whose trail you set me following are behind prison bars. That gang's -broken to bits; I can breathe more freely now. If it hadn't been for you, -I might be dead. I'm certainly grateful to you." - -Jo Ann drew a long sigh of relief, as did the other two girls. "That -certainly is grand news," she added the next moment. - -"I hope that's the last experience you girls'll ever have of that kind," -he said earnestly. - -A moment's silence fell; then Jo Ann asked, "Where's Jitters?" Suddenly -recalling that neither man knew the name of their car, she added, -smiling, "Our old Ford, I mean." - -The two men exchanged smiles before Mr. Andrews answered, "Jitters is a -complete wreck--in a deep gully near the border." - -A look of utter bewilderment appeared on the face of each girl. - -In another moment Jo Ann recovered sufficiently to say haltingly, -"But--you wrote--you were bringing our car." - -"I did bring it. There it is!" Mr. Andrews gestured to the shining new -car. "It's a present for the assistance you girls have given us--to take -the place of your Jitters." - -Three pairs of eyes flew open to their widest. So overwhelming was their -amazement that for once none of them could speak for a full minute. - -"You have done much for us," Mr. Gonzales spoke up, smiling. "You have -probably saved my life as well as Mr. Andrews's. _Muchas gracias_." - -"But--but, Mr. Andrews--Mr. Gonzales," began Jo Ann confusedly. "We do -not deserve this fine new car. You must not give us such a----" - -"You have more than earned it," smiled Mr. Andrews. "It is yours by -rights. We owe you more than we can ever repay you." - -Convinced at last that the car was rightfully theirs, the girls began to -exclaim delightedly: - -"Grand!" - -"Gorgeous!" - -"Wonderful!" - -"A thousand thanks from each one of us," added Jo Ann, shining-eyed. - -With that the three of one accord ran over to the car to inspect it and -revel in its beauty. - -"We'll feel so elegant--so swanky, riding about in this car!" exclaimed -Jo Ann. - -They climbed inside then to admire the upholstery and shining gadgets. - -A few minutes later Jo Ann was proudly driving out of the village, the -two men following in the other car, and Jose with the aid of a small boy -bringing along the horses. - -"Won't Miss Prudence and Mr. Eldridge be surprised when they hear about -our new car?" Peggy remarked. - -Jo Ann smiled broadly. "Miss Prudence was always scared of Jitters. -She'll be delighted." - -"What shall we name it?" Florence asked a moment later. - -Peggy suddenly chuckled. "How about naming it for Miss Prudence? It's so -shining and spotlessly clean. And besides, that name might help Jo to be -more prudent--less reckless." - -"That name suits me," laughed Jo Ann. - -"And me," added Florence. "And I believe it'll please Miss Prudence, -especially when we explain why we've chosen the name." - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---A Table of Contents was added for the reader's convenience. - ---Obvious typographical errors were corrected without comment. - ---Non-standard spellings and dialect were left unchanged. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CROSSED TRAILS IN MEXICO*** - - -******* This file should be named 44061.txt or 44061.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/4/0/6/44061 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at - www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/44061.zip b/44061.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index eebe2e5..0000000 --- a/44061.zip +++ /dev/null |