“This must be looked to, Cody.”
“That is just what I am after, colonel.”
“But why do not the rancheros have the nerve to put this unseen robber to the test?”
“They have, sir, and to their bitter cost.”
“He has carried out his threats, then?”
“He has, sir, promptly and without mercy, and that is why they no longer refuse the demands upon them.”
“I can hardly wonder at it, when an unseen foe strikes at those they love.”
“He does more, sir, for he has taken from each home a hostage, keeping them comfortably, as they are allowed to write home, but holding them against refusal of his demands, and threatens to thus keep them until he gains the purpose for which he is striving, a certain amount of money, I take it, sir.”
“There is no doubt of it, and it is a novel way of gaining his ends; but still I believe he can be checkmated.”