“Surest thing you know. He walked in, big as life, and twicet as ornery, and dropped down at a table behind the pianner. I allowed I’d walk over to him, pass the time o’ day, and inquire as to what Hibbard was doin’ at his ranch. That was my idee, and jest as I was goin’ to carry it out, in comes Hibbard and sits down at the same table with Long. Neither of ’em saw me, so I jest hung back and watched.
“They got real confidential, them two. Bymby, Hibbard takes a pencil and paper from his pocket and makes a diagram. Chantay Seeche considers it. There’s more talk, a little drinkin’, then the two shakes hands and separates. They leave the table together, and they fergit to take the diagram. I ain’t more’n a minute freezin’ to that paper and lookin’ it over.
“I haven’t got savvy enough to make head or tail to it, but I thinks of my red-headed pard, and hikes for here. Not bein’ what they call persona gratter to the front of the establishment, I sneak up to your room from the rear. So here I am, gappin’ like Rip Van Winkle gettin’ ready for thirty years o’ sleep; and here’s the paper, and you’re welcome to tell me what it’s about—if you can.”
Jimmie handed over the paper. It was a small sheet, and seemed to have been torn from a memorandum book. It was marked with lines in the form of a rough, oblong square. This square was crossed and recrossed with other lines, and there were subdivisions indicated here and there. Clancy studied the diagram closely.
“Looks like a chink puzzle, eh?” said Fortune. “Can you make anythin’ of it, Red?”
“Seems to be the ground plan of a house,” Clancy answered thoughtfully.
“Well, now!” murmured the other. “Blamed if I’d thought o’ that! It might be the ground plan of a house, or the picter of tracks in a chicken yard. What makes you think it’s a diagram of a ’dobe?”
“The plan is divided into rooms, and there are little marks in the outside walls that may indicate doors and windows. But the best proof that this is a diagram of a house is given by the only written words on the paper. Along one side is the word ‘second,’ and along the other side we find the two words, ‘Cerro Gordo.’ Is there a street in this town called Cerro Gordo Street, Jimmie?”
“By glory!” gulped Fortune. “You’ve hit it right between the eyes! Sure there’s a street called Cerro Gordo, and it’s the best residence street in town. Corner of Cerro Gordo and Second Av’noo is right in the middle of Magnateville and Upper-tendom! You’ve cracked the shell of the mystery, Red!”
Clancy smiled, and shook his head.