‘I’ve been looking for a way north through the mountains. My idea is to take it easy, riding nights--keeping our eyes on--’ ‘On what?’ Bart asked. ‘On the north star,’ in embarrassed tone. ‘Why, we’re not thirty miles from the Border right now. We can do it in a night.’ ‘But I’ve been thinking we’d better not enter Arizona on any of the regular roads--and there’s quite a ride west after that--’ Señorita Valencia was in the doorway. ‘You’re the doctor!’ Bart laughed. * * * * * Two nights later Elbert made Mamie fast in an old lane about three hundred yards from the Fonseca road directly back of El Relicario. This was his next to last trip from the mountains down, according to the plan. He was to bring both horses next time, two or three nights later. Then north and west with Bart through the high range, which he had explored so many days with the one single thought of ending his mission. Nearing the old ranch house, he moved around in front to approach by the road, but heard Mexican voices before reaching the gateway. Stealing closer he saw three ponies standing just within--carbine-boots and saber-sheathes! Only the rurales carried that outfit. He moved back and circled among the scented vine-tangles of the grounds, at length drawing near an unglazed window of an empty room, which was just across a corridor from the little room where Bart lay. Faint reflection of the candle-light came from there, careless strumming of a guitar and laughter of the Mexicans from the front of the house. A light step at his left, a movement of white, visible as he turned--Valencia, alone in the grounds. Softly he called her name. ‘Oh, I prayed you would come, Señor! The rurales are here. They have seen him! I have left them but a moment--saying I must dress--’ She was all in white, her face held close to his, the breath of her whispering part of the perfume of the dark. ‘You must take him away to-night--now, while they wait--or he will have to go with them! You see, they are not quite sure yet, it is he, but have sent for others in Fonseca who will know. Before the others come, while I keep the ones here in the front of the house--you must take him to the mountains--to your country!’ ‘Have they got Bart in front with them?’ ‘No, he’s still lying in there--but one of the men is watching in the corridor. I have told them how ill he is!’ Elbert spoke swiftly: ‘I’ll go and bring the mare closer in, Señorita, and be back to this window in ten minutes. Get word to Bart that I’m coming back!’ ‘I will try--or perhaps my mother. They are waiting for me in there now. I must keep them in the front!’ He heard the Mexican voices. ‘In ten minutes--’ he hastily whispered.