"I do not know. To-day I drove a cow and calf to Willow Springs. I am but returned. The houses are empty. Señor Barela's wife says she saw men riding up the hill toward Corbett's—eight, nine, ten of them."
"To Corbett's?" She stared whitely at him without moving. "How long ago?"
"An hour ago—or more."
"Saddle Billy at once and bring him round," the girl ordered crisply.
She turned as she spoke and went lightly to the telephone. With the need of action, of decision, her hopelessness was gone. There was a hard, bright light in her eyes that told of a resolution inflexible as tempered steel when once aroused.
"Give me Corbett's—at once, please. Hallo, Central—Corbett's——"
No answer came, though she called again and again.
"There must be something wrong with the telephone," suggested Don Manuel.
She dropped the receiver and turned quietly to him.
"The wires have been cut."