s Betty--there remains always the puma."

Rios spoke with every sign of sincerity. Kendric, with what he knew of
Zoraida to guide his thoughts to a conclusion, was more than half
convinced that the man was telling the truth. Rios himself was not
above murder; hardly now had the body of Escobar stiffened when he
seemed to have forgotten the rebel captain and the deed of violence.
And Zoraida was Rios's blood cousin.

"You appear to be sure that there is treasure?" Kendric said.

"Yes. There is no question." Again was Rios unusually frank. "I
could lie to you but there is no need. The treasure is beyond your
reach; it may fall to my hand. Yes, I am sure."

"What do you know of it? What makes you so confident?"

Rios smiled.

"Again there is no need to lie to you. You have marked that my cousin
is a very rich woman? There is no richer in all Mexico. And why?
Because she has long been in possession of a portion of the hidden
wealth of the Montezumas. A _portion_, mark you? For there is some
sign which she has understood to tell her that there is still other
hidden treasure. Always, since she was a little girl, has she looked
for it, never content with what she has. And if I come first to
it--Think, senor!" His eyes brightened, a flush warmed his dusky skin,
he lifted his head arrogantly. "It will mean that I, even I, can
dictate in some things to Zoraida! It will mean that she must join
forces with me. It will mean that she and I together will go far, will
rise high. As she will be the one bright star in all Mexico, so will I
be the newly risen sun."

"So," muttered Kendric, "you two are tarred with the same stick!"

Now Rios's black eyes were deadly.

"What you know means everything to me," he said, his voice at last sunk
to a harsh whisper. "I killed Escobar for less. Remember that, Senor
Americano!"

Kendric ignored the threat.

"What of my friend?" he demanded. "Even were I of a mind to talk
turkey with you, there is Barlow. Half is his."

"Barlow is touched with madness. Have I not told you he will have none
of it? You have eyes, senor. Already my fair cousin has made of
Barlow a tame animal like her cat. When she commands, he will speak.
Think you he will remember in that dizzy moment that you have claims to
be safeguarded? All will go to Zoraida. What you are pleased to call
your share, along with his own."

Jim hated to believe that. And yet he did believe. Tonight Bar