ahead, as I am showing you," he added.

"We saw the lights of a train last night," Tom went on. "I judged
that the mule-train came from the mines above. Yet the mule-train
did not follow the direction that you have just shown me. The
road runs crooked, I take it."

"Oh, yes," nodded their host, as carelessly as Tom had spoken.

"Do the other mines pay as well as _El Sombrero_?"

"Oh, no, Senor Tomaso," Montez replied quickly. "The other mines
yield not anywhere near as rich ore as comes from _El Sombrero_."

"Are you going to take us to see the other mines?" Tom hinted.

"Gladly would I do so, Senor Tomaso, only I am not on good terms
with the owners."

"I'm sorry," Tom sighed. "While we are here I wish that we could
see much of Mexican mines. Nevertheless, when we are through
here I have no doubt that you can give us letters to other mine
owners."

"Beyond a doubt," smiled Don Luis, "and it will give me great
pleasure. But I, myself own many mines, and I am seeking to locate
more. If you are suited with my employment, and if we agree,
I shall be able, undoubtedly, to keep you both engaged for many
years to come. Indeed, if you display sufficient resourcefulness
in handling mines I do not believe it will be long ere I shall
be able to pay you each fifty thousand dollars a year. I have
plenty of money, and I pay generously when I am pleased and well
served."

"The scoundrel is fishing for something," thought Tom Reade, swiftly.
"I must not let him beat me in craft."

So he exclaimed, aloud:

"Fifty thousand dollars a year, Don Luis? You are jesting!"

"I beg to assure you that I am not," replied Montez, smiling and
bowing.

"But fifty thousand a year is princely pay!" cried Reade.

"Such pay goes, of course, only to the most satisfactory of employes,"
declared Don Luis.

"At such pay," Tom said, "Harry and I ought to be satisfied to
remain in Mexico all our lives."

"We shall see," nodded Montez. "But the sunlight is growing too
strong for my eyes. Suppose, _caballeros_, that we move into
the office?"

The others now rose and followed Don Luis.

"What on earth is Tom driving at?" Harry wondered. "He's stringing
Don Luis, of course, but to what end?"

Montez stood at the door of his office, indicating that the young
engineers pass in ahead of him. The instant they had done so
Montez turned to his secretary, whispering:

"Send my daughter here."

Dr. Tisco vanished, though he s