ook her head violently, so violently that the white flower fell
from her hair. Rios was going on angrily, when there came into the
yard a clatter of hoofs.

"It is Zoraida," he said sharply. "Now be quick; is it yes or no!"

"No!" cried Betty.

"Little fool!" muttered Rios. Under his glare she drew back. "Before
again such help is offered you you will wish you were dead!"

Outside they heard Zoraida's laughter, low and rich with its music.
Then her voice as gay as though there were in all the world no such
shadows as those cast by destruction and death. And then she entered,
slender and graceful in her elaborate riding suit, her white plume
nodding, her eyes dancing, her red mouth triumphant. Behind her came
Bruce West.

Kendric stared at him in amazement. For Bruce came of his own free
will and his own eyes were shining. There was no sign of his recent
distress upon his face. Rather it looked more joyous, more boyish and
glad than Kendric had seen it for years. The boy hardly noted anyone
in the room but Zoraida. His eyes were for her alone and they were on
fire with adoration.

CHAPTER XI

IN WHICH THERE IS MORE THAN ONE LIE TOLD AND THE TRUTH IS GLIMPSED

"You!" cried Kendric in amazement as his look went swiftly from Bruce's
radiant face to Zoraida's and back to Bruce. "With her!"

Young Bruce West advanced eagerly.

"It's been a mistake, Jim," he said earnestly. "A cursed mistake all
along the line. When I explain to you----"

"Boy," cut in Kendric sternly, "where's your head? Don't you know that
she was one of the crowd raiding you? Have you forgotten all I told
you?"

Zoraida, head held high, her cheeks flushed, stood eyeing him
defiantly. The mockery of her look disturbed him; she appeared fully
confident of herself, her destiny and her place in Bruce's estimation.
Bruce himself frowned and shook his head.

"You've always been a fair man, Jim," he said. "Suspend judgment until
we've talked."

While Kendric held his tongue and pondered angrily, Zoraida's eyes
flashed about the room. Only for an instant did they tarry with Betty
who, drawn away from her almost to the table against the wall, looked
back at her with unhidden distrust. Longer did they hold to Ruiz Rios.

"My cousin," she said softly, "you have something to say to me. What
is it?"

"Not here, senorita," urged Rios. "In another room."

Kendric, but not Bruce, saw the deeply significant regard she shot a