"The A. G.
& N. M. officials won't let this crime go by without a determined effort
to bring the offenders to justice. Detectives will search this
community in squads, and everyone of these masked gentlemen is likely to
get his deserts."
Within the next half hour the galloping horses had covered fully five
miles. Now the leader of the crowd led the way down into a deep gully
in the sand.
"Hold up, men," ordered the leader, and the cavalcade came to a stop,
horses panting.
"Tumble the cattle off into the dirt," was the next order, and it was
obeyed, Tom and Harry rolling in the bitter alkali dust.
"Now, gentlemen, I believe I will take command," spoke one of the party
of horsemen, in his most suave voice, as he removed his mask. The
speaker, as Reade knew at once, was Jim Duff, the gambler.
"That's all right, Jim," nodded the former leader.
"Jake, ride back a few hundred yards and keep a sharp lookout,"
suggested Duff blandly. "The pursuers may come in automobiles. We'll
cut the ceremonies here short and leave nothing but lifeless bodies for
the rescue parties to find.
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