"All up with you now," he assured them in a genial, offhand fashion.
"Miss Valdes must be backing Pesquiera. They know you two are the guilty
villains. Inside of twelve hours they'll have you both hogtied."
Clearly the conspirators were of that opinion themselves. They talked
together a good deal in whispers. Dick was of the opinion that a
proposition would be made him before morning, though it was just
possible that the scale might tip the other way and his death be voted.
He spent a very anxious hour.
After dark Sebastian, who was less well known in the town than Pablo,
departed on an errand unknown to Gordon. The miner guessed that he was
going to make arrangements for horses upon which to escape. Dick was not
told their decision. Menendez had fallen sulky again and refused to
talk.
CHAPTER XVIII
MANUEL INTERFERES
Valencia had scarcely left the parlor to telephone for the sheriff
before Manuel flashed a knife and cut the rope that tied his prisoner's
hands.
Sebastian had shrunk back at sight of the knife, but when he found that
he was free he stared at Pesquiera in startled amazement.
"Come! Let's get out of here. We can talk when you are free of danger,"
said Manuel with sharp authority in his voice.
He led the way into the corridor, walked quickly down one passage and
along another, and so by a back stairway into the alley in the rear.
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