"Both you and he must have been absent when I was here before, otherwise
I must have met you," he answered.

At this moment the tall figure of a man, dressed in a suit of light gray
material with a soft felt hat to match, appeared in the doorway of the
Inn. His eyes, like his hair and mustache, were dark brown. His hands
were long and slender and delicate as a woman's, yet there was nothing
effeminate in his appearance. His strong, sensitive features and roving,
piercing eyes and alert carriage indicated courage and energy.

He paused as he caught sight of the two figures before him. Then, with
an exclamation of surprise, he stepped quickly out on to the veranda.
"Jack!" he exclaimed. "When did you get here?"

Turning swiftly, Captain Forest saw Dick Yankton standing before him.
"Dick!" he cried, and rushing up the veranda steps, seized him by both
hands. "I've been wondering where I would find you! You evidently didn't
get my letter?"

"No," replied his companion. "I only returned from the mountains late
last night. It's probably waiting for me here."

"The Senores know one another?" interrupted Chiquita, also ascending the
veranda.

"Know one another? Senorita, we are brothers," said Dick.

"Brothers?" she echoed, surprised and perplexed.

"Yes, Senorita, all but in name," interposed the Captain.

"Ah! I see. Brothers in fortune!"

"Exactly," replied Dick. "But what is all this I hear concerning your
doings, Senorita? I'd have given my best horse to have seen you dance,
but, as you see, I'm too late. A pretty nest of hornets you've stirred
up in the old place," he continued. "Why, last evening I met the Navaros
on the road on their way home and they wouldn't let me pass until they
had told me how wicked you were. Senora Navaro even crossed herself and
said an ave at the first mention of your name."

"Ah," she sighed, then laughed unconcernedly. "I'm afraid I've been very
naughty, Senor." Then suddenly recollecting her mission, she exclaimed:
"I almost forgot why I came here this morning. I'm the bearer of Padre
Antonio's gift and greetings to the Senora. It's her birthday, you
know."

"Her birthday? I wonder she still dares have them!" exclaimed Dick.

"She does, nevertheless," laughed Chiquita; and brushing back the roses
in her basket with a sweep of the hand, she disclosed the eggs beneath.
"Look," she continued. "Padre Antonio's gift! Are they not
beautiful--just fresh from the hens! You had better