He paced the porch back and forth hour after hour. Better that ten thousand murderers escape the rope than that Snippets be harmed. Perhaps it was not yet too late. He might bargain Pete Cable's life for Snippets' safety. Obviously her kidnaping had been an effort to force him into doing that. He would treat with the enemy, bear the white flag of surrender at last, for the girl's sake. It was now close to lunch time; he might find Anderson at the Red Queen. Though that was the hangout of his enemies, the judge did not hesitate. He walked quickly down Main Street. The loungers gaped with astonishment when the judge turned resolutely into the big saloon. He asked a question of the bartender and was told that Francisco Garcia might know when Anderson would return. The Toad was eating at a small table in the gambling room. Head held high, the judge marched forward. "I am told that you might tell me when Mr. Anderson will return," the judge said. The Toad's protruding eyes fixed on the judge with a fishlike stare. Here was the man whom the Toad considered the cause of all his troubles. The big hand on the table closed convulsively. Slowly the Toad controlled his passion. "What do you want him for?" he asked heavily. The judge hesitated. "That must remain between him and me. But I must see him--at once." "So?" the swarthy Mexican rumbled. "Is it something to do with Pete Cable?" The judge nodded. "Then I will take you to him--I think I know where he is, and I think I know where your niece is." "You do? Thank Heaven for that," the judge cried fervently. "You would exchange Pete Cable for your niece?" "Yes! Yes!" "Then we must go quickly and stop them before they take her across the border." The Toad looked crafty. The judge shuddered. He knew the man before him was not to be trusted, but he must take the chance. Ten minutes later, the two were bowling along in a buckboard, headed for the lava fields. * * * * * Tom Powers and his posse had followed Anderson, Ace Cutts and the others to the border of the lava fields, where Allen insisted they stop. "Yuh got to walk yuhr hosses, an' besides, two men could pick yuh-all off like chickens," he explained. A rider was sent to gather in Sam Hogg and his men; then Allen led the others in the direction of Kennedy's ranch. "Why for yuh goin' there?" Tom Powers asked. "To catch a gent called Cupid Dart." Allen grinned at the sheriff's astonishment. "Yuh mean that Texas gunman?" Toothpick queried. "Yea. The gent yuh saw learnin' Spanish," said Allen with a laugh. "Not that dude, Mac Kennedy?" Toothpick was incredulous, and the others added their grunts of astonishment. "That same. He ain't a dude. Not any," Allen told them.