nine and seductive. While with
one hand she had robbed him, she had caressed him with the other. And
not too boldly; she had not overdone it. She probably wept for him;
she treated him to the flash of her eyes through spurious tears. She
employed her beauty like a lure and had little trouble in putting the
boy's suspicions to sleep. What chance would a simple, open-hearted
fellow like Bruce have against the wiles which were Zoraida's stock in
trade? Kendric recalled vividly that subtle influence which Zoraida
had cast even upon him; which he had felt even when steeled against
her, and asked himself again what chance Bruce could have with her in
the hour of her boldest triumph? The very fact of her having come
immediately on the heels of the catastrophe gave her a look of
innocence. . . . Had Zoraida the trick of hypnosis over men? It began
to look like it.

"Poor old Baby-blue-eyes," muttered Jim. He looked at the boy
wonderingly. Then only did it occur to him that Bruce and Betty Gordon
were strangers to each other and that Bruce, when his sanity should
return to him, would make a desirable friend for Betty. So he said,
turning toward the girl: "Miss Gordon, this is an old friend of mine;
another American, too, Bruce West."

Betty looked her frank interest upon Bruce and her speculation was
obvious: among so many men whom she feared and distrusted she wondered
if here was one of whom any girl might be sure. She put out her hand,
even smiled. But Bruce held stiffly back, his eyes full of accusing
light.

"I have heard of Miss Gordon," he said coolly. "She is also known as
Pansy Blossom, I believe, over in Sonora."

Kendric failed to understand and looked to Betty. Her eyes widened.
Then her cheeks crimsoned.

"Oh!" she gasped. "Mr. West, what do you mean? I have heard of her,
everyone has. She is the most terrible creature!" She shuddered.
"What made you say that?"

Bruce laughed his disbelief of her words and attitude.

"Jim, here, doesn't seem to remember," he said brusquely. "If you'd
been down in Sonora lately, Jim, you'd know all about Pansy Blossom.
She sings rather well, I hear, and dances. It would seem that she has
the makings of a highly successful actress," he concluded meaningly.
Kendric stared at him.

"You mean that Betty Gordon here is some sort of an adventuress?" he
demanded.

For answer Bruce shrugged elaborately and returned Kendric's stare.
Jim looked to Betty again.