The hoof beats came nearer and nearer.  There were more shots.  A man dismounted near the door.  Then a man on horseback galloped up to the very entrance of the adobe.  There was a general movement without, but no one ventured to go out and see what had happened.  They could hear voices, sharp commands, and far off one more shot.  Someone cried, “Keep on after him, boys!”

A ranger came in.  He was an angular fellow, with a bushy mustache, and eyes like a ferret.  His gun was on his hip, and one hand never left it.  His name was Bradley.  Gilbert knew him well.  Often had he met him in the hills.  He was known as one of the best shots of all that company of men who pursued criminals and bandits through the State, and drove them over the border.  Few escaped him; and he had a train of lieutenants who adored him.  A born fighter, a born pursuer of men, who loved his desperate life, and gloried in his conquests.  Some called him Bradley the Inexorable.  He seldom missed a shot; and God help those who came into his power.

“We’re after Lopez,” he said breathlessly.  “Been here?” He never wasted words.

“Yes,” Hardy answered.  He looked toward Pell’s body.

Bradley’s quick eyes followed his.  “Hello! what’s that?  Wounded?” he asked.

“Worse—­he’s dead,” Hardy replied.

Bradley stepped close to the still form.  “Who did this?  Lopez?”

“Yes,” from Hardy.

“Got it in the head, eh?” the ranger went on, looking down at Pell, but with no pity in his face.  He was too accustomed to death.  A man who had been killed was just another “case” to him—­one of an endless row of corpses.

Angela came up to the table.  “He’s really dead?” she breathed, and clung to “Red’s” big arm.

“Who was he?” Bradley inquired.

Hardy motioned to the mute Lucia, sitting so quietly in the chair.  “Her husband.  Name’s Pell.”

“Sorry for you, lady,” said Bradley, perfunctorily, as he might have said “Good-morning.”  He turned now to go.  “Don’t touch him till the coroner comes,” he commanded.  “Mind what I say.”

“But officer—­” began Hardy.

“Can’t stop,” Bradley waved him aside.  “Now we gotter get him.”  He went out as swiftly as he had come in.  Every instant was precious.  There was not a second to be lost.

And still Lucia did not stir a muscle.  It was as if she had been turned to stone.  A silence fell upon them all.  “Red” sat down on the little window-seat, his Angela beside him.  Hardy tried to smoke.  They could hear the clock ticking on and on—­that little clock which had heard so much as its hands moved around the dial during the last few pregnant hours.

Suddenly Uncle Henry, who had been looking at Morgan Pell’s huddled form, cried out;

“Hey, what’s comin’ off?” Had the darkness deceived him?

“Red” jumped at the question.  “What’s the matter?” His nerves were on edge.