Dick Willoughby spoke now with the quiet and quick decision that marks the leader of men: “What we will do is this. We five are partners in this secret, and, if Buck is willing, we’ll play the game together for all it is worth. To begin with, we’ll put up one hundred dollars apiece to send Tom Baker to Sacramento. He will try to get a pardon or a parole for Pierre Luzon.” “That can be managed,” assented the sheriff. “I’ve got a political pull, you know, boys.” “Well,” continued Dick, “we’ll bring old Pierre here and we’ll get from him the information he promises about the secret grotto.” “Not forgetting Guadalupe’s placer mine,” interjected Jack Rover. “Everything will be attended to in its turn,” replied Dick. “One thing at a time, and the first thing to be done is to get the Frenchman out of San Quentin. When can you start, Tom?” “The day after tomorrow.” “Well, we’ll have the cash ready for you by tomorrow night. You must bring Pierre Luzon here without anyone else besides ourselves knowing his name or getting next to him.” “I’ll fix up a cot for him in my own room behind the store,” suggested Buck Ashley. “That’s a good plan,” assented Dick. “When the Frenchman’s here, it will be time then to discuss our next move. Meanwhile, it’s an honorable promise of secrecy all round, and to begin with I give my word.” While speaking the last words, Dick solemnly raised his hand, and each man in turn followed his example as he gave the pledge required. CHAPTER IX—Tia Teresa TEN days had passed and the count of the stock on San Antonio Rancho had been completed, every canyon searched, the last wandering maverick roped and branded, the number of fat beeves accurately estimated. Three members of the Los Angeles syndicate had arrived in a big automobile and remained over night at the ranch house. Most of the time they had been closeted with Ben Thurston in his office, and had finally taken their departure without exchanging a word with anyone else on the rancho. Nobody knew whether the deal had gone through or not, but rumor said that, after some disagreement on the first day, terms had been arranged next morning.