an answer came from the American
consular agent at Cida, relayed from Juarez by Mr. Buchanan. The agent
stated his doubt of the entire truth of John Makepiece's story. The man
was notoriously a reckless character. It was believed that he himself
had served with the Constitutionalist army in Mexico some months. Since
appearing in Cida and telling his story to the Associated Press man, he
had become intoxicated and was still in that state, so could not be
interviewed for further particulars.

A posse had started for Granadas the day before, to see what was the
condition of affairs around the mining property of which Mr. Day had had
charge. It was a fact that the guerrilla, Raphele, had overrun that
district and had controlled it for some months; but his command was now
scattered, and the more peacefully-inclined inhabitants of Granadas were
stealing back to their homes.

"Have requested consular agent at Cida to wire you direct to Popham
Landing, report of returning posse now overdue," was how Mr. Buchanan
concluded the message.

"And that report may be along any time, now," declared the operator,
encouragingly. "You people haven't got to start back up the lake yet
awhile?"

"We'll stay as long as Miss Day wants to," said Nelson Haley, quickly.

"Sure we'll stay," cried Marty. "Miss Maltby told me to come back by and
by, and finish that mince pie I couldn't manage at dinner time. There
ain't no hurry to get back to Poketown, is there?"

Janice and Nelson were much amused by this frank statement of the boy;
but the girl was only too glad to have the others bear out her own
desire to remain within reach of the telegraph wires for a while longer.
Mr. Buchanan's messages had eased her heart greatly.

Janice cried a little by herself--the first tears she had shed since the
night before. But even Marty respected them and did not make fun of his
cousin.

"Everybody is so good to me!" she cried again, when she had wiped her
eyes and could smile at Marty and Nelson Haley. "And I believe it's all
coming out right. This long day is going to be a _real_ Christmas Day,
after all!"

CHAPTER XX

THE TROUBLE WITH NELSON HALEY

From that time on Janice refused longer to be in what she called "the
dumps." It was not her way to mope about; usually she cheered other
people and did not herself stand in need of cheering.

She made the operator go home to his family to spend Christmas
afternoon. When his call came Marty