“These later robberies haven’t been Galloway’s work,” he told them positively.  “They were pulled off by the same man who stuck up Kemble of the Quigley mines.  Inside of a week I’ll get something done; I’ll promise you that.  But let me do it my way.”

Engle alone of the three drew a certain satisfaction from the interview.

“He has promised something definite,” he told them.  “Did you ever know him to do that and fail to keep his word?  Maybe we’re getting a little excited, boys.”

The latest crime had been the robbery of the little bank at Packard Springs.  The highwayman had gone in the night to the room of the cashier, forced him to dress, go to the bank, and open his safe.  The result was a theft of a couple of thousand dollars, no trace left behind, and a growing feeling of insecurity throughout the county.  It was for this crime that Norton meant and promised to make an arrest.

Exactly seven days from the day of his promise Norton rode into San Juan and asked for Tom Cutter.  Struve, meeting him at the hotel door, looked at him sharply.

“Made that arrest yet, Norton?” he demanded.  Norton smiled.

“No, I haven’t,” he admitted coolly.  “But I’ve got a few minutes before my week’s up, haven’t I?  Fix me up with something to eat and I’ll have a talk with you and Tom while I attend to the inner man.”

But over his meal, while Cutter and Struve watched him impatiently, he did little talking other than to ask carelessly where del Rio was.

“Damn it, man,” cried Struve irritably.  “You’ve hinted at him before now.  If he’s a crook, why don’t you go grab him?  He’s in his room.”

Norton swung about upon Struve, his eyes suddenly filled with fire.

“Look here, Struve,” he retorted, “I’ve had about a bellyful of badgering.  I’m running my job and it will be just as well for you to keep your hands off.  As for why I don’t make an arrest . . .  Come on, Tom.  You, too, Julius,” his smile coming back.  “I’m going to get del Rio.”

“I don’t believe . . .” began Struve.

“Seeing is believing,” returned Norton lightly.  “Come on.”

Followed by the two men, Norton went direct to del Rio’s room, at the front of the house, just across the hall from Virginia’s office.  At del Rio’s quick “Entra,” he threw open the door and went in.  Del Rio, seated smoking a cigar, looked up with curious eyes which did not miss the two men following the sheriff.

“You are under arrest for the bank robbery at Packard Springs,” said Norton crisply.

“Que quiere usted decir?” demanded the Mexican, to whom the English words were meaningless.

Norton threw back his vest, showing his star.  And while he kept his eye upon del Rio he said quietly to Cutter: 

“Look through his trunk and bags.”

Del Rio, understanding quickly enough, sat smoking swiftly, his eyes narrowing as they clung steadily to Norton’s.  Cutter, a rising hope in his breast that at last his superior had made good, went to the trunk in the corner.  Del Rio shrugged and remained silent.