“That’s as good.” Denton turned to Deland.
“It’s sprinklin’,” said Deland joyfully, “by all the frogs of Egypt, it’s actually sprinklin’, and in this country where——”
“Deland, did you hear what he says? That he will guide us to the lair of Panther Pete?” He pointed the pistol again at the head of the prisoner. “Another question,” he said: “Is there a young lady held prisoner there?”
The spy again hesitated.
“Out with it!” shouted Denton.
“Well—yes, there is.”
“It’s the young lady, is it, who was taken last night from Scarlet Gulch—Miss Ellen West?”
“I don’t know her name,” said the spy, “but it’s her; for she was brought from that town.”
“And she’s in that place now, held there by Panther Pete?”
“You’re right. Anyway, she’s there, in one o’ the houses.”