ldn't mind the luncheon," Harry began, "if--"

He stopped short, as he caught a glimpse of the spot where they
had left their trunks.

"Tom, let's hustle back to where we left our trunks," he whispered.
"I just saw some one moving about on that spot"

"Oh, if any thief is after our baggage, let him have it," smiled
Tom. "The stuff all goes to a thief in the end, anyway, for we
know that we can't carry our trunks with us."

But that didn't suit. Hazelton, who still felt as though he owned
his own trunk. So he started back, soft-footed. Presently they
came in sight of a human being seated on Reade's trunk.

"Nicolas!" breathed Tom.

"_Si, senor_," (yes, sir) returned the servant.

"But what are you doing here?"

"I am your servant," replied the Mexican, calmly.

"Wrong; you're Don Luis's servant."

"But he ordered me to wait on you both unceasingly, senor."

"We have left Don Luis's house, for good," Tom continued, walking
over to where the barefooted one sat.

"That may be true, senor; it is true, since you say it, but my
orders have not been changed. Until Don Luis tells me differently
I shall go on serving you."

"Did Don Luis send you after us, Nicolas?" Reade demanded, wonderingly.

"No, senor."

"Did any one at the house send you?"

"No, senor. I did not need to be sent. I am faithful."

Nicolas followed this with a smile that showed his white teeth.
He spoke in utter simplicity.

"And now what can I do for you, _caballeros_?" the Mexican inquired.

"Nicolas," asked Tom, with sudden inspiration, "is there any store
hereabouts? Any place where food can be purchased?"

"No, senor; there is a store not far from the shaft entrance of
_El Sombrero_ Mine. That is where the _peons_ of the mine draw
their food, and have it charged against their pay accounts. But
no one may buy there for cash."

"Is there no place where you can buy food for us?"

"_Caballeros_, of course, I will not pretend not to understand
that you are on bad terms with Don Luis. Hence, both his storekeeper
and his _peons_ would hesitate to sell food for you or to you.
But I have a relative who works in the mine, and he is a brave
man. I think I can persuade him to sell me food and ask no questions.
In fact, _caballeros_, that is what I will do."

"It won't get your relative into any trouble, will it, Nicolas?"
Tom asked.

"I can manage it, senor, so that no trouble will follow."

"Then take this money and get so