Melissy caught a glimpse of his bleeding arm, his torn and dusty face, the appalling ferocity of the men who were hammering him into the ground. She took a step forward blindly. The mountains in front of her tilted into the sky. She moved forward another step, then stumbled and went down. She had fainted. "Just as well," MacQueen nodded. "Here, Rosario, look after the young lady. Lift Flatray to a horse, boys, after you've blindfolded him. Good enough. Oh, and one thing more, Flatray. You're covered by a rifle. If you lift a hand to slip that handkerchief from your eyes, you're giving the signal for Jeff to turn loose at you. We're going to take you away, but we don't aim to let you out of the Cache for a few days yet." "What do you mean?" MacQueen jeered at his prisoner openly. "I mean, Mr. Sheriff, that you'll stay with us till the girl does as she has promised. Understand?" "I think so, you hellhound. You're going to hold me against her so that she can't change her mind." "Exactly. So that she can't rue back. You've guessed it." They rode for hours, but in what direction it was impossible for Flatray to guess. He could tell when they were ascending, when dropping down hill, but in a country so rugged this meant nothing. When at last he dismounted and the kerchief was taken from his eyes he found himself in a little pocket of the hills in front of an old log cabin. Jeff stayed with him. The others rode away. But not till they had him safely tied to a heavy table leg within the hut. CHAPTER XI SQUIRE LATIMER TAKES A HAND "You're to make ready for a trip to town, _senorita_." "When?" "At once," Rosario answered. "By orders of _Senor_ MacQueen." "Then he is back?" the girl flashed. "Just back." "Tell him I want to see him--immediately." "I am to take you to him as soon as you are ready to ride." "Oh, very well." In a very few minutes the young woman was ready. Rosario led her to the cabin in front of which she had seen the old Indian squaw. In it were seated Simon West and Black MacQueen. Both of them rose at her entrance. "Please take a chair, Miss Lee. We have some business to talk over," the outlaw suggested. Melissy looked straight at him, her lips shut tight. "What have you done with Jack Flatray?" she presently demanded. "Left him to find his way back to his friends." "You didn't hurt him ... any more?" "No." "And you left him alone, wounded as he was." "We fixed up his wound," lied MacQueen. "Was it very bad?" "A scratch. I had to do it." "You needn't apologize to me." "I'm not apologizing, you little wild-cat." "What do you want with me? Why did you send for me?" "We're going to Mesa to see a parson. But before we start there's some business to fix up. Mr. West and I will need your help to fix up the negotiations for his release." "My help!" She looked at him in surprise. "How can I help?"