t raise one point. I have been
told that an American is to be executed at sunset, which is almost
immediately. You will understand that as a representative of the United
States it is necessary that I should investigate the facts."

Swiftly Culvera considered. If the American officer had arrived an hour
later, Yeager would have been safely out of the way. How had he
discovered already that an American was to be shot? Was it worth while
denying it? But what if Girard insisted on seeing the execution? What if
he asked to see Yeager? Ramon's glance swept the obstinate face of the
captain. He decided it better to acknowledge the truth.

"It is to me a matter of profound regret," he sighed. "The man enlisted
in our army as a spy, disguised as a peon. He is guilty of the murder
of one of our men in a gambling-house. He attempted to kill General
Pasquale a short time ago. He was undoubtedly in league with the man
Holcomb, the assassin of our great general. He shot Major Ochampa, but
fortunately the major is recovering. The man is a border ruffian of the
worst stamp."

"May I talk with him, general?"

"But certainly--if the man is still living," assented the Mexican.

The American officer looked straight at Ramon. His steady eyes made no
accusation, mirrored no suspicion. Culvera could not tell what he was
thinking. But he recognized resentfully a compulsion in them that he
could not safely ignore.

"With your permission I should like to talk also with Miss Seymour and
the two moving-picture men," said Captain Girard.

The Mexican adventurer announced a decision he had come to that very
instant, one to which the inconvenient arrival of the envoy from the
President of the United States had driven him.

"I am making arrangements to have them all three taken safely back to
Arixico. Between you and me, captain, old Pasquale was something of a
savage. It is my purpose to win and hold the friendship of the United
States. I don't underestimate Pasquale. He was my friend and chief. He
made a free Mexico possible. But he was primitive. He did not understand
international relations. He treated the citizens of your great country
according to his whims. That was a mistake. I shall so act as to win the
approval of your great President."

"I am very glad to hear that. The surest foundation upon which you can
build for a free Mexico is justice for all, general. And now, if I may
see Yeager."

A messenger was sent to bring the priso