there space capable of holding a document. At last
she gave up, gazing about in dismay, dread, tears of vexation and
anxiety almost rising to her lids. Only one conclusion was to be
drawn: the men who had seized the lawyer had found the paper in spite
of his precaution.

She examined the chairs a second time feverishly, for time was
flying.

"I can't find it, Juanita, the paper he telephoned me to come and
get," she exclaimed.

"Maybe it's in there where he sleeps." And the Mexican girl pointed at
the inner door standing barely ajar.

"We'll see."

Janet led the way within. There was Martinez' living- and sleeping-room.
The furnishings comprised a bed, an old scratched bureau, a stand
with wash-bowl, a red and black Navajo blanket on the floor, a trunk,
a stool and a dilapidated stuffed chair--just such a chair as a paper
could be hidden in. That into this room the lawyer's assailants had
burst their way was apparent from the splintered door hanging from one
hinge at the rear.

Beckoning Juanita to bring the lamp, Janet ran to the arm-chair.

"Ah, here it is!" she cried, when she had turned the piece of
furniture over and inserted her hand in the rent. "It wasn't found,
after all! Come away now."

Relief and exultation replaced her depression of the moment before.
She had succeeded; she had helped the lawyer outwit his enemies; she
must now return home to await Steele Weir's arrival, or if he failed
in that then go to the dam.

In the outer room she bade the Mexican girl place the lamp on the
table once more and blow it out. This was done. They groped forward to
the door.

"Follow me out quietly, Juanita," Janet said. "Only Mr. Martinez knows
we've been here, and Mr. Weir, the engineer. See, I'm trusting you.
This is a very important paper for Mr. Weir, and other men are trying
to keep it out of his hands. So you must say nothing to any one about
our being here."

Juanita assented in a whisper. Janet thereupon opened the door and
the pair stepped forth. A faint hissing sound directly before them
startled both. But the American girl immediately recognized it for
what it was, the faint murmur of an automobile engine.

She quietly closed the office door, caught her companion's arm to lead
her away.

"Don't talk," she whispered in her ear.

At the same instant the beam of an electric hand torch flashed in
their eyes, blinding them. Then as quickly the light was extinguished
and a heavy blanket was flung