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Captain Billy Byrne rode out of the hills the following afternoon upon a pinto pony that showed the whites of its eyes in a wicked rim about the iris and kept its ears perpetually flattened backward

At the end of a lariat trailed the Brazos pony, for Billy, laughing aside Bridge's pleas, was on his way to El Orobo Rancho to return the stolen horse to its fair owner

At the moment of departure Pesita had asked Billy to ride by way of Jose's to instruct the old Indian that he should bear word to one Esteban that Pesita required his presence

It is a long ride from the retreat of the Pesitistas to Jose's squalid hut, especially if one be leading an extra horse, and so it was that darkness had fallen long before Billy arrived in sight of Jose's Dis some distance from the hut, Billy approached cautiously, since the world is filled with dangers for those who are beyond the law, and onethrough a small , and toward this he er structure from which the former inhabitants had fled the wrath of Pesita It was dark and apparently tenantless; but as a matter of fact a pair of eyes chanced at the very h the open doorway

The owner turned and spoke to someone behind him

"Jose has another visitor," he said "Possibly this one is less harreat caution Let us investigate"

Three other men rose from their blankets upon the floor and joined the speaker They were all armed, and clothed in the nondescript uniforms of Villistas Billy's back was toward the to spend the night and crept quietly toward hih the littleinto the interior of the old Indian's hovel He saw an American in earnest conversation with Jose Who could the nize him; but presently Jose answered the question

"It shall be done as you wish, Senor Grayson," he said

"Ah!" thought Billy; "the foreman of El Orobo I wonder what business he has with this old scoundrel--and at night"

What other thoughts Billy ht have had upon the subject were rudely interrupted by four energetic gentleed hiht none the less strenuously for his freedoht after the manner of Grand Avenue, which is not a pretty, however effective, way it may be