unnerved at the thought of being left alone in such a place. Cateras
saw the movement, and laughed, gazing about carelessly.

"Some boudoir, _senorita_," he said meaningly. "Well, we will see what
can be done for you later. Perhaps a few hours in such a hole may work
a miracle. When I come again you will be glad to see even me. That's
all, lads; there's plenty of oil, and you can bring along some blankets
with the evening meal."

He stopped, standing alone in the narrow opening, the light of the
lantern without bringing his face into bold relief. The girl had sunk
helplessly onto the bench, her head bowed within her hands. The
Mexican eyed her frowningly.

"Quite tamed already," he said sarcastically. "Bah! I have done it to
worse than you. Look up at me."

She lifted her eyes slowly, her lips pressed tightly together. She was
conscious of depression, of fear, yet as her glance encountered his, a
sudden spirit of defiance caused her to stand erect.

"There are some women with whom you are not acquainted, Senor Cateras,"
she said quietly, desperation rendering her voice firm. "And possibly
I may prove one of them. I am your prisoner it seems, yet I advise you
not to go too far, or I may prove to be a dangerous one. In the first
place it might be well for you to remember that, helpless as I seem at
present, I have friends--whatever befalls me will be known."

"How known?" his white teeth gleamed. "Do you think what goes on here
is published to the world? If I should tell you the history of this
secret valley it would take some of the defiance out of you, I imagine."

"Then you reckon wrong, I am not afraid of you, and I believe in my
friends. All I ask now is that I be left alone."

"Which will bring you to your senses. I have seen that tried out here,
and know how it works. All right, I'll leave you to think it over;
then I'll come back for an answer. Until then, _senorita, adios_."

The fellow lifted his hat, and stepped back into the passage, his
manner insolent. She remained motionless, contempt in her eyes, but in
truth hopeless and crushed. Silva closed the door silently, although
her ears caught the click of the bolt when it was shot home.

No sound of their retreating footsteps reached her through the thick
wall. The stillness of her prison seemed to strike her like a blow.
For a moment she stood staring at the bare wall, her lips parted, her
limbs trembling from the reaction of e