The Masked Riders by Bradford Scott

Author:Bradford Scott [Scott, Bradford]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2017-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

12

THE DISHES HAD BEEN washed and put away and they were sitting in the living room chatting when there was a knock at the door. Aunt Agatha opened it to admit a handsome, distinguished-looking gentleman who swept the floor with his sombrero in greeting.

“I was wondering,” said Ramos Alvarez—for it was he—if the ladies wouldn’t like to spend an evening at Roberto’s cantina. It’s gay and quite interesting there tonight.”

“I sure would,” Aunt Agatha instantly accepted. “How about you, Iris?”

“I’d like to see the girls again,” Iris replied. “You’ll come, wont you, Walt?”

“Was already figuring to drop in there later,” Slade said. “I want to see how Randal and the boys are making out.”

“Come on, Iris, let’s change,” said Aunt Agatha. “Be down in a minute, gentlemen.”

It was a little more than a minute, but not a great deal, when both reappeared looking, Slade thought, very charming. Alvarez seemed to think so, too, as his eyes rested on Aunt Agatha. Walt Slades face wore a pleased expression as he looped Iris’ arm in his and they left the house, leaving Alvarez and Aunt Agatha to follow.

“She’s glad of a chance to get out,” the girl said. “After all, she’s not old; she was only seventeen when she married my uncle, less than twenty years ago. He was a good deal older but they got along fine together.”

“I’ve a notion it would be hard for a man not to get along with her,” Slade replied. “And I’ve a notion that goes for the whole family, judging by what I’ve seen of it,” he added.

“I hope you’ll keep on thinking so,” Iris said, her color rising a little.

“I will,” he stated with finality.

As they left the house, Slade noted that three lean, dark-faced men in vaquero clothes sauntered along unobtrusively not far behind. He smiled, for he recognized them as Alvarez’ fierce mountain Yaquis. Evidently the mine manager was taking no chances. And he admitted to himself that it was comforting to have those grim fighters as a bodyguard. Their eyes would miss nothing, and if occasion arose, they would swing into action with hairtrigger speed.

The cantina was crowded and lively. Roberto instantly spotted them and came forward bowing and smiling to conduct them to a table.

In answer to a nod and a sideways glance from Alvarez, Roberto found another table nearby for the Yaquis, who sat sipping their wine and apparently paying no attention to what went on around them. But Slade well knew that not a man entered the place who didn’t get a thorough once-over.

“I think I’d like to be a dance floor girl,” remarked Aunt Agatha. “It appears to be an interesting life.”

“It is,” Iris agreed, “only it’s darn hard on the feet. The boys don’t mean to step all over you, but when they’ve had a few drinks their aim isn’t always so good. They’re not all like Walt, who dances divinely.”

“That I intend to prove, and right away,” Aunt Agatha said with alacrity. “Come along, Walt, be nice to an old lady.

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