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CHAPTER X. BILLY CRACKS A SAFE

BILLY BYRNE, captain, rode into Cuivaca from the south. He had made a wide

detour in order to accomplish this; but under the circumstances he had thought

it wise to do so. In his pocket was a safe conduct from one of Villa's generals

farther south--a safe conduct taken by Pesita from the body of one of his recent

victims. It would explain Billy's presence in Cuivaca since it had been intended to

carry its rightful possessor to Juarez and across the border into the United

States.

He found the military establishment at Cuivaca small and ill commanded. There

were soldiers upon the streets; but the only regularly detailed guard was

stationed in front of the bank. No one questioned Billy. He did not have to show

his safe conduct.

This looks easy," thought Billy. "A reg'lar skinch."

He first attended to his horse, turning him into a public corral, and then

sauntered up the street to the bank, which he entered, still unquestioned. Inside

he changed a bill of large denomination which Pesita had given him for the

purpose of an excuse to examine the lay of the bank from the inside. Billy took a

long time to count the change. All the time his eyes wandered about the interior

while he made mental notes of such salient features as might prove of moment to

him later. The money counted Billy slowly rolled a cigarette.

He saw that the bank was roughly divided into two sections by a wire and wood

partition. On one side were the customers, on the other the clerks and a teller.

The latter sat behind a small wicket through which he received deposits and

cashed checks. Back of him, against the wall, stood a large safe of American

manufacture. Billy had had business before with similar safes. A doorway in the

rear wall led into the yard behind the building. It was closed by a heavy door

covered with sheet iron and fastened by several bolts and a thick, strong bar.

There were no windows in the rear wall. From that side the bank appeared almost

impregnable to silent assault.

Inside everything was primitive and Billy found himself wondering how a week

passed without seeing a bank robbery in the town. Possibly the strong rear

defenses and the armed guard in front accounted for it.

Satisfied with what he had learned he passed out onto the sidewalk and crossed

the street to a saloon. Some soldiers and citizens were drinking at little tables in

224

The Mucker