“They’re solid down there,” concluded Norton.  “What they are up to is something big here, then a dash for safety, carrying their booty with them.  But we’re going to be on time to put a stop to it all.  I am going down to see Engle now; will you come with me?”

But before they left the hotel he swore Struve in as a deputy and sent him hastening to carry the word to other men to be counted on.  As they passed the Casa Blanca Norton paused a moment, looking in at the wide-open door; it was very quiet within, the place seeming deserted.

“No use looking for Galloway here,” he said as they went on.  “Nor for any of his gang.  But, when they come back . . . unless we head them off . . .”

Her hand tightened on his arm.  She looked up into his thoughtful face with shining eyes.

“You think that they would attempt further robbery and outlawry here?”

“I am going to advise Engle to take the bulk of his money out of the bank, dig a hole, and hide it,” he answered.  “Just to be sure in case we don’t stop them.”

He knew that he had no time to waste tonight, and so as he and Virginia entered the Engles’ living-room he began immediately telling the banker what had happened and what he feared was set to happen.  Engle listened gravely.

“Galloway is making his getaway to-night,” Norton said by way of conclusion.  “For every rifle he has a man.  He has no reason to like you and he knows that you carry more money in gold and bank-notes than any other man in the country.  The fact that Kid Rickard pulled the game the way he did this afternoon, shooting down Roberts when there was no need of bloodshed, ought to be enough to show us that they are not going to draw the line anywhere this side of old Mexico.”

“What are you planning?” asked Engle.

“I’ve sent for Brocky and all the men he can bring.  They’ll all come heeled and ready for trouble, every one sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy.  I’ll get every dependable man in San Juan into the saddle with a rifle inside half an hour.  Before that we’ll have further word; or, if not, we ride toward Mt.  Temple.  I’m taking the gamble so far that that’s their rendezvous; that the Kid and his crowd will show up there.”

It was unnecessary for him to continue.  Engle nodded and went for his rifle.  Norton, turning toward Mrs. Engle and Virginia, was shocked by the look he saw in the eyes of the banker’s wife.

“Florrie!” gasped Mrs. Engle, her hands gripped in front of her, her face paling.  “I thought she was in her room; when I missed her five minutes ago I thought that she had slipped out and run up to the hotel to see Virginia.  Virginia hasn’t seen her.”

Norton smiled and patted the two clasped hands.

“Oh, Florrie’ll be all right, Mrs. Engle,” he comforted her.  “We mustn’t get nervous and begin to imagine things, must we?”

But no lessening of that look of fear came into the mother’s eyes.  Galloway was striking, Florrie was not to be accounted for.  Though she turned quickly and went again through the house, the patio, and the rear gardens, she was apprehensively certain that she would not find Florence.  Virginia came hurriedly to Norton, whispering: