home," he
drawled. "I'll see how yo' are makin' it in the mo'ning."

"Why, where are yuh goin'?" Red asked in surprise.

"Goin' after Gentleman John." Kid Wolf smiled. "How far is it to his
headquartahs at Agua Frio?"

"About nine miles straight west, over the mesa. But say, yuh'd better
let one of us go with yuh."

The Texan shook his head. "I'm playin' a lone hand, Red. Yo' job is
to line out yo' steers and get 'em back to the Diamond D feedin'
grounds. Adios, amigos!"

And Kid Wolf, on his fleet white horse, swung off to the westward.

Gentleman John sat up suddenly in his bed and opened his eyes. The
moon had gone down, and all was pitch dark. It was nearly morning.

He had heard something--for Gentleman John was a light sleeper. He
listened intently, then sat on the edge of his bed to draw on his
boots. The sound came again from the direction of the patio. Had his
man, Jose, forgotten to lock the gate? Surely he had heard the chain
rattling! Some horse, no doubt, or possibly a mule, had strayed into
the little courtyard. Perhaps it was some of his men returning. And
yet hardly that, for they would not dare disturb him at such an hour,
but would go to their quarters behind the house until daybreak.
Tiptoeing to the door, he put his ear to it. He heard faint noises, as
if some one were moving about.

"Jose!" Gentleman John called angrily. "What are yuh fumblin' at in
there? What's the matter? _Me oye usted?_"

There was no reply, and Gentleman John went to one corner of his room,
scratched a sulphur match, and with its sputtering flame he lighted a
small lamp by his bedside. Then he slyly drew a derringer from under
his pillow. Again he went to the door, putting his hand on the knob.

"Jose! Come here!" he cried, with an oath.

The door swung open, and the lamplight shone on a human face--a face
that was not Jose's, but a stern white one with glinting blue eyes!

"Jose can't come," said a voice in a soft drawl. "He's tied up. But
if I will do as well, I am at yo' service, sah!"

The color fled from Gentleman John's amazed face.

"Kid Wolf!" he almost screamed, and at the words he whirled up his
black and ugly double-barreled pistol!

_Span-ng-g-g-g! Br-r-rang!_ Both barrels of the derringer exploded in
two quick roars. The leaden balls, however, went wild. A steel hand
had closed lightning-swift on Gentleman John's right wrist.

"Be careful," the Texan mocked. "Yo' a