“He was probably that interpreter Fletcher used last night,” Lanky put in, “at the temple of the snake.”
“Might be,” Lockwood agreed. “Anyway, this Indian knew about the Yaquente ceremonies that were being carried on in the temple. He also knew that anyone who would furnish mezcal buttons to the Yaquentes could get a lot out of them and make it an easy matter to work them into fomenting a religious war. They talked it over with Addison and Fletcher. It looked good. Once the revolutionists had conquered a few towns and picked up strength they planned to attack Chihuahua City. Thereafter Herrick, Addison and Fletcher had plans of their own. The government mint is located at Chihuahua City, you know. Once the mint was in their hands they planned to seize the gold and silver bullion, transport the loot to the States, double-cross the Indians and forget the revolution.”
“Jeepers!” Lance exclaimed. “They reckoned to work on a big scale, didn’t they? What a plot! Going to raid the Chihuahua mint, eh? The nerve of the skunks!”
“There isn’t much more to tell,” Lockwood resumed. “Frank Bowman had arrived in Pozo Verde on the trail of those stolen bills. He worked himself in with the Herrick gang. Some of them talked too much—as they later admitted, Addison told me. Addison thinks that Bowman must have commenced to grow suspicious of Fletcher. Fletcher was friendly with Professor Jones. Probably Bowman didn’t know what the tie-up was but by that time he must have begun to suspect the game was bigger than he had at first thought. Anyway, when the professor stated he was going to make a trip down into Mexico Bowman got the job as his guide. Then Bowman made his bad mistake.”
“What was that?” Lance asked.
Lockwood said, “Apparently he wasn’t making much headway on finding the stolen money. Thinking he’d be dealing with an honest banker, he went to Addison, told Addison he was a government agent and asked for cooperation in watching for the missing bills. Addison passed the news to Fletcher, of course, and that sealed Bowman’s fate. He was put out of the way. By this time, though, Addison was getting scary about so much killing and he balked on Elmer being rubbed out.”
“What happened to Elmer, anyway?” Lance asked.
Lockwood explained, “That day you talked to Elmer in the bank and he promised to meet you that night he gave you two of the missing bills, didn’t he?” Lance nodded. Lockwood continued, “Addison saw the bills in your hand and became suspicious of Elmer’s actions. That afternoon he told Fletcher what he had seen. Fletcher said Elmer would have to die. Addison bucked on the proposition. He promised to keep Elmer a prisoner until such time as their plot had been pulled off. That afternoon he sent Elmer to hire a horse and buggy for him with the excuse that he had to drive to Saddleville with a satchel of money to deliver to a bank there. Elmer drove the rig to Addison’s bank. Addison came out with a grip packed with old newspapers which he pretended was money. Then he said he had to stop at his home to get some ledgers to take to the Saddleville bank. He asked Elmer to drive the rig that far. At Addison’s home Addison asked Elmer to come in and help him carry out the ledgers. Once Elmer was in the house Addison hit him on the head, knocked him unconscious and tied and gagged him. Later Addison drove the horse and buggy out to the edge of town and turned it loose. Elmer was kept a prisoner at Addison’s home until old Johnny Quinn and I released him. Incident’ly, the State Banking Board has put Elmer in charge of the Pozo Verde bank.”
“Ethan,” Lance said, “your story has sure cleared up a heap of details that had my brain whirling dizzily. All I’ve got to do now is find Fletcher and arrest him, and the case is cleared up.”
Katherine said, “Before you talk about arresting anybody, Lance, you’d better get some sleep. You look dead tired. First, however, will you please tell me what hemoglobinuria means? I’m feeling sorry for old Johnny Quinn without knowing what kind of a disease he has.”
Lance laughed and told her the story. Professor Jones smiled and said, “Hemoglobinuria, eh? Excellent word, what? Reminds me—botanical nomenclature—various cacti. By the way, Sheriff, you haven’t seen my Echinopsis gregoriana. Startling discovery, y’understand. Come out on the gallery.” He seized the reluctant sheriff and started him toward the door.
Lockwood spoke over his shoulder. “Oh yes, Miss Gregory, there’s quite a sizable balance of your father’s money on deposit in the Pozo Verde bank. Addison had figured to do some forging and grab that money for himself, but now that Elmer is running the bank it will be safe until you want it.”
“But—but,” Katherine said, “it was stolen money Fletcher paid Father for the share in the Three-Cross.”
Lance shook his head. “No, it was Addison who accepted that stolen money from Fletcher. That’s Addison’s responsibility. The money credited to your father’s account, Katherine, is backed by the Pozo Verde bank.
The girl turned on Lance and spoke with pretended severity. “Lance, are you still here? I told you to go get some sleep.”
“Yes, Katy, my dear,” Lance said meekly, and left the room.
It was late afternoon when Lance awakened to find Oscar shaking his shoulder. “Sorry to spoil your snooze,” Oscar was saying, “but a Mex from Muletero just arrived with a note for you. He claims Fletcher made him bring it here. Maybe it’s important.”
Lance swung his feet off the bed and sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He took the sealed envelope and broke the flap. Inside was a single sheet of paper, written in lead penciclass="underline"
TOLLIVER:
The discovery of my feathered rattler won’t help you any. I have plans that can’t be interfered with, so this country isn’t big enough to hold both of us. If you and your friends will surrender to me I promise you safe conduct out of Mexico after my plans have been fulfilled within a few months. Otherwise my Indians will wipe you out. I’ll give you until dawn to make up your mind, but think fast. Surrender or fight! But you won’t have a chance if you fight.
FLETCHER.
Lance rose to his feet. “This,” he said grimly, “is the worst yet. Read this, Oscar. There’s hell to pay, and no pitch hot!”
XXIV “Fighting Is a Yaquente’s Life”
Oscar’s face blanched as he read the note. Lance said, “Fletcher’s mention of that feathered snake proves he’s seen Horatio, I reckon. Is the messenger who brought the note waiting for an answer now?”
Oscar shook his head. “He ducked out as soon as he delivered it. I reckon he didn’t want any part of either game and only came here on protest because he was afraid of Fletcher.”
Lance nodded. “Probably so. Oscar, while I’m getting dressed you go out and round up our crew. Show ’em the note. Bring ’em into the main room of the ranch house, and we’ll hold a council of war and see what’s to be done.”
Oscar said, “I’ll do that,” and hurried away.
When Lance entered the big room a few minutes later everybody was there waiting for him. All eyes turned his way as he came in, and he realized they were looking to him for leadership. His heart sunk a little at the thought. It was going to be difficult to decide the best course to pursue. All had seen Fletcher’s note by this time, and the seriousness of the situation was fully realized. Katherine was the first to speak when Lance entered.