“But how did he do this?” “By a placard stuck on the gate of a ranch house, or hacienda, demanding a certain sum to be placed in a designated spot on a day or night named, under the penalty, if refused, of a death in the family.” “This must be looked to, Cody.” “That is just what I am after, colonel.” “But why do not the rancheros have the nerve to put this unseen robber to the test?” “They have, sir, and to their bitter cost.” “He has carried out his threats, then?” “He has, sir, promptly and without mercy, and that is why they no longer refuse the demands upon them.” “I can hardly wonder at it, when an unseen foe strikes at those they love.” “He does more, sir, for he has taken from each home a hostage, keeping them comfortably, as they are allowed to write home, but holding them against refusal of his demands, and threatens to thus keep them until he gains the purpose for which he is striving, a certain amount of money, I take it, sir.” “There is no doubt of it, and it is a novel way of gaining his ends; but still I believe he can be checkmated.” “I feel confident of it, sir, and for that reason I wish your permission to go to that valley and solve that mystery, hunt down that unseen and unknown foe. “You know that Scout Texas Jack brought with him a dozen Texans as scouts, and they are all saddle sharps, superb lassoists, dead shots, speak Spanish more or less fluently, and are utterly fearless.” “They are all that you say, Cody.” “Now, colonel, I wish to take Texas Jack and his Texans and go to that valley and take possession of a deserted hacienda I saw there and turn ranchero, buying cattle and horses, and establishing myself there for the one purpose of discovering the daring leader who thus threatens, robs, and persecutes these people, and I am sure, sir, that I can unearth a mystery that will fully compensate for our time.” “Cody, you can go, and take the men you ask for. You have been there, understand the situation, and know what you are doing, so I leave all to you.” “Now, colonel, as the owner of this bracelet dodged me, beyond all doubt, I have it to return to her and will do so. Here it is, sir.” “Why, it is worth a small fortune, Cody,” said the colonel, gazing earnestly at the handsome bracelet. CHAPTER XXXII. UNDER A CURSE. Buffalo Bill went on to tell how hard he had tried to find the owner of the bracelet, and what he considered proof that she and the wounded Mexican officer had covered up their tracks. “I gave that deserted ranch a close call, sir,” resumed the scout, “for I was interested in it, and it was really a grand old ruin, avoided, as I found out later, by all, and feared, for it is known as the Haunted Hacienda, and the believers in ghosts all are sure that it is the haunt of evil spirits.