Her eyes searched Buck's face with a troubled, anxious scrutiny. "So many Arizona towns have a foreign sound, but somehow I--I've never even heard of Santa Clara."
"Santa Clara!" burst out Bud. "Why, that's over in Sonora. If he should get her across the border--"
Mrs. Archer sprang to her feet and caught Stratton by one arm. "Mexico!" she cried hysterically. "Oh, Buck! You must save her from that creature! You mustn't let him--"
"He sha'n't. Don't worry," interrupted Stratton harshly. "Tell me as quickly as you can what else you heard. Was there anything said about the way he meant to take?"
Mrs. Archer clenched her small hands and fought bravely for self-control. "He said he--he might be delayed. He didn't dare take the road through Perilla, and the trail through the mountains was probably blocked by the sheriff." Her forehead wrinkled thoughtfully. "He said the only way was to--to go through the pass and turn south along the edge of the T-T land. That--that was all."
Buck's face lighted with somber satisfaction. "It's a good bit," he said briefly. "When they started off did you notice which way they went?"
"Pedro rode past the house toward the lower gate. Lynch went straight down the slope toward the bunk-house. He was leading Mary's horse. I ran a little way after them and saw them cross the creek this side of the middle pasture gate."
Buck shot a glance at Jessup. "The north pasture!" he muttered. "He knows there'll be no one around there, and it'll be the safest way to reach the T-T trail. I'll saddle a fresh cayuse and be off." He turned to Mrs. Archer. "Don't you worry," he said, with a momentary touch on her shoulder that was at once a caress and an assurance. "I'll bring her back."
"You must!" she cried. "They said something--It isn't possible that he can--force her to--to marry him?"
"A lot of things are possible, but he won't have the chance," replied Stratton grimly. "Bud, you stay here with Mrs. Archer, and I'll--"
"Oh, no!" protested the old lady. "You must both go. I don't need any one. I'm not afraid of being here alone. No one will come--now."
"Why couldn't I go after Hardenberg and get him to take a bunch around the south end of the hills," suggested Jessup quickly. "They might be able to head him off."