t Escobar first," said Kendric. Rios stepped
aside and again threw open the door. But he did not stir from the
spot, awaiting Kendric's return. Nor did Kendric tarry long. Escobar
was dead already, shot through the heart, as Rios had said. A revolver
lay on the ground, close to his right hand.

"You ought to hang for that," said Kendric as he came back into the
room. "But from the way you're going you won't last long enough for
the law to get you. Now, what have you to say to me?"

"A part I have said," returned Ruiz Rios. "I can guess much that my
fair cousin has said to you. I know her desires and--I know my own!"
His eyes flashed. "More, you appear interested in the charming Miss
Betty Gordon. If you would like to go yourself, if you would like to
take her with you, I think I can arrange matters. At a price, of
course."

"Naturally. And the price?"

"Escobar asked twenty-five thousand dollars. Surely she is worth that
and more? Ah! Well, what you came to Lower California to find may be
worth as much, may be worth nothing. The risk is mine. Tell me where
the place is and I will arrange that you and Miss Betty have horses and
an open trail."

"Rios," began Jim, speaking slowly.

But it was Betty who answered.

"No!" she cried. "No and no and no! You are a terrible man, Senor
Rios, and some day God will bring you to a terrible end. Be sure I
would be happy to see the last of you and your cousin and your kind.
But the thing you ask is impossible. Why should Jim Kendric, to whom I
am only a bothersome stranger, pay you a sum like that--for me? You
are crazy!"

Jim himself was perplexed. He had no desire to put Ruiz Rios in the
way of appropriating that which had brought both himself and Barlow
here. More than that, the secret was not solely his to give away, were
he so minded. Barlow had a claim to half and he knew there would be
nothing left for Barlow once Rios scented it. Of these matters he
thought and also of Betty. Her quick vehemence had surprised him.
Until now he would have thought her eager to consent to anything to
insure her immediate departure.

"Fine words, senorita," said Rios, his lips twitching so that the white
teeth showed. "But you had best think. Many things might happen to a
girl, a pretty girl like you, which are not pleasant for her to
experience. You had better throw your arms about your countryman's
neck and beg him to pay the price for you."

Betty sh