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Updated: June 24, 2025
To the Senorita Inez he had spoken of his claim upon the Windham rancho through her brother's note won on the gambling table. He had touched the matter very gently, for McTurpin knew the ways of women and was not without engaging qualities when they stood him in good stead.
Quick as McTurpin was in parrying attack for he had frequent need of such defense the onslaught of Benito found him unprepared. He went over backward, the young man's fingers on his throat. From the overturned table money rattled to the floor and rolled into distant corners. Hastily the non-combatants sought a refuge from expected bullets. But no pistol barked.
McTurpin's strength far overmatched that of the other. Instantly he was on his feet. Benito's second rush was countered by a blow upon the jaw. The boy fell heavily. McTurpin smoothed his ruffled plumage and picked up the scattered coins. "Take the young idiot home," he said across his shoulder, as he strode out. "Pour a little whisky down his throat. He isn't hurt."
Adrian was conscious, suddenly, that his hand still held the pistol. He flung it from him with a gesture of repulsion. "My wife!" he said faintly, "Inez!" "What d'ye mean?" asked Spear. "Talk up, man. What's wrong?" "She's gone abducted," Stanley answered. "Who'll lend me a horse. I must find McTurpin. He knows " Unexpectedly Spear complicated matters. "You're mistaken, Stanley.
What was McTurpin doing in San Francisco? Why had he and his companions ridden toward the Windham rancho? There was only one answer. Most of the vaqueros were at a fandango in the Mission. Only the serving women and a few men too old for dancing remained at home. Meawhile her brother, father, lover were speeding homeward, into what? A trap? An ambush?
McTurpin struck a fist against his palm. "Your brother is American. Very well. And what is an American who takes up arms against his country?" The girl sprang up. "It is a lie. Benito fights for freedom, justice only " "That is not the view of our American Commander," McTurpin rose and faced her. "The law of war is that a man who fights against his country is a traitor."
That Inez at this time should have been taken from her home, abducted, frightened or harassed, was the sin unpardonable. For it he meant to exact a capital punishment. The law, just then, meant to him nothing; only the primitive instinct of an outraged man controlled his mind. At the bar he paused. "Where's McTurpin, where's Gasket?" he demanded, harshly.
"Light the lamps," said Lees, and one of his men performed this office. "That's the woman, father," spoke young Robert, unexpectedly. "Put the bracelets on her," ordered Lees, "and search the place." A man stepped forward. But they had not counted on McTurpin. "Let her be," he screamed. A pistol flashed. The officer went down at Rose's feet. Instantly there was confusion.
McTurpin, the pistol in his hand, still stood above Benito. The latter's fingers held the quill suspended. A drop of ink fell on the ballot slip unnoted. Brannan, with a puzzled frown, came forward, laid a hand upon the gambler's shoulder. "What's the matter here?" he asked more sharply. McTurpin turned upon him fiercely. "Go to hell!" he cried. "I'm running this." Brannan's voice was quiet.
He is not " Words failed her. "No, not dead yet," McTurpin answered. "God in Heaven! Tell me," said the girl, imploringly! "He is wounded? Dying?" McTurpin took a seat beside her on the rustic bench. "Benito isn't dead nor wounded so far as I know. But," his tone held an ominous meaning, "it might be better if he were." "I I do not understand," said Inez, staring. "Then let me make it clear."
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