They meant to pull the affair off either today or tonight.

What sorter lookin' chap was the fellow you knocked out, sir ?" "I scarcely saw his face--a half-breed I should say; rather short, but stout, with long hair." "Jose; he is the one Manuel would choose for such a job.

But why he got into the girl's room is more than I know.

However, if he is dead, and Manuel a prisoner, it gives us a fair chance, sir.

It leaves those fellows amidships without a leader.