Sid Hutchinson leaped through the door and into the adjoining room with a whoop. A young fellow of about nineteen sat reading an old newspaper in a corner; and in a moment he and Sid had their arms about each other and were prancing about the room like mad. When the first great rush of joy was over, Sid introduced his brother to Walter and Ned who had followed him into the room, and in a few words explained the facts of his capture and rescue and of Walter and Ned’s search for Ethel Norton.
Bill Hutchinson listened in surprise.
“Well,” said he, at length, “it does beat all how things come about, doesn’t it? Ethel will be glad to see you.” Then turning to his brother he added, “Do you remember those three men who rode up to our camp the other night and then rode away?”
“I do,” said Sid.
“Well, what would you say if I told you I saw them among the Mexicans who chased me and Ethel?”
“I’d believe it,” said Sid, quietly and promptly. And then he told his brother who the three were, and the nature of their errand to Texas. Bill listened, amazed.
“Hello!” said he. “Hello! What’s this!”
“They are rogues,” said Walter. “And as Sam Davidge is to come into the estate in case Ethel Norton does not claim it, there’s no telling what they would do, should she fall into their hands.”
“That’s good sense,” remarked Bill Hutchinson. “And I say the same. Well, I guess Ethel’s all right now, though. She’s with Mrs. Allison, and she is an American woman of the right kind.”
“Where does Mrs. Allison live?” asked Ned Chandler.