g in his eyes. "Say, but that's practical!
A man annoys you, and you send a servant to tell him to stop.
Then he stops."

"Because my enemy also vanishes, you understand," smiled Senor
Luis, indulgently.

"But doesn't the governor of Bonista ever hear of the disappearances?"
suggested Reade, very casually.

"What if he does?" demanded Don Luis, snapping his fingers gayly.
"Are not his excellency, the governor, and I, the best of friends?
Would he give heed to rumors against me, brought by evil-tongued
men? Oh, no! _El gobernador_ (the governor) has, at times, even
kindly lent me his troops to make sure that an enemy of mine doesn't
travel too far. No! I tell you, Senor Tomaso, I am over lord
here. I am the law in these mountains."

"It must be a great comfort, Don Luis--if you have many enemies,"
suggested Tom Reade smilingly.

"Ah, no! I have no enemies to-day," cried the Mexican. "Why
should I? I am generous and indulgent, and the soul of honor.
No one has just reason to disagree with me. Here I give all
men the round trade--no, what in your country you call the square
deal. But you shall see. You are now associated with me in a
great, a gr-r-rand enterprise. You shall soon see how just and
generous I can be--am always. You shall understand why the son
of a noble house need have no foes. Senor Tomaso, I have taken
one great liking to you in the few hours that we have been together.
And as for you, Senor Henrico--"

With a courtly flourish Don Luis wheeled about to face young Hazelton.
But the sound of deep breathing was all that came from Harry.
Fatigued by the long, rough automobile ride, that young engineer
had dropped fast asleep in the broad porch rocker.

"Your friend is much fatigued," spoke Don Luis, with fine consideration.
"If you deem it best, Senor Tomaso, we will arouse him and he
shall go to his room for an hour's sleep before the evening meal."

"If his sleeping in the chair doesn't annoy you, Don Luis, my friend
will wake up, refreshed, in twenty minutes or so."

"So be it, then. Let him sleep where he is. But you, Senor Tomaso,
would you not like to step inside and lie down for a while?"

"No, I thank you," Reade answered. "Unlike Hazelton, I feel very
wide awake. When shall we go to the mine?"

"To-morrow, or the next day," replied the Mexican, with a gesture
which almost said that "any day" would do. "First, you must both
rest until you are wholly refreshed. Then y