Brand Blotters

The man who first caught sight of Melissy spoke in a low voice to his

chief. MacQueen turned his head sharply to see her, took a dozen steps

toward her, then upbraided the Mexican woman, who had run out after

Melissy.

"I told you to lock her door--to make sure of it."

"Si, señor--I did."

"Then how----" He stopped, and looked to Miss Lee for an explanation.

"I broke the window."

The outlaw noticed then that her hand was bleeding. "Broke the window!

Why?"

"I had to get out! I had to stop you!"

He attempted no denial of what he was about to do. "How did you know? Did

Rosario tell you?" he asked curtly.

"No--no! I found out--just by chance."

"What chance?" He was plainly disconcerted that she had come to interfere,

and as plainly eager to punish the person who had disclosed to her this

thing, which he would have liked to do quietly, without her knowledge.

"Never mind that. Nobody is to blame. Say I overheard a sentence. Thank

God I did, and I am in time."

There was no avoiding it now. He had to fight it out with her. "In time

for what?" he wanted to know, his eyes narrowing to vicious pin points.

"To save him."

"No--no! He must die," cried the Mexican woman.

Melissy was amazed at her vehemence, at the passion of hate that trembled

in the voice of the old woman.

MacQueen nodded. "It is out of my hands, you see. He has been condemned."

"But why?"

"Tell her, Rosario."

The woman poured her story forth fluently in the native tongue. O'Connor

had killed her son--did not deny that he had done it. And just because

Tony had tried to escape. This man had freed the ranger. Very well. He

should take O'Connor's place. Let him die the death. A life for a life.

Was that not fair?

Flatray turned his head and caught sight of Melissy. A startled cry died

on his lips.

"Jack!" She held out both hands to him as she ran toward him.

The sheriff took her in his arms to console her. For the girl's face was

working in a stress of emotion.

"Oh, I'm in time--I'm in time. Thank God I'm in time."

Jack waited a moment to steady his voice. "How came you here, Melissy?"

"He brought me--Black MacQueen. I hated him for it, but now I'm glad--so

glad--because I can save you."