nvas, and your wants may be extremely simple. But
a house offers comforts that cannot possibly be found in a tent
like this. And the other is still smaller and more cheerless,"
he added, crossing into the other tent.

Don Luis was now within arm's length of the thin curtain, and was
apparently about to push it aside.

"Won't you come outside," suggested Tom, "and tell me the object
of your call this evening? It is too warm in here."

"Gladly," smiled the Mexican, letting go of the curtain, which
he had just touched, and wheeling about.

"Hang the rascal!" muttered Tom, inwardly. "Has he gotten wind
of the fact that we have a stranger here? Does Don Luis know
all about the man? Is he playing on my nerves at this moment?"

But Montez, with an appearance of being wholly interested in Tom
Reade, went outside with him. Harry placed campstools for the
callers, while the young engineers threw themselves upon the ground.
Don Luis Montez, as usual, was to do the talking, while Dr. Tisco's
purpose in being present was to use his keen, snapping eyes in
covertly studying the faces of the two Americans.

"I have called to say," declared Don Luis, coming promptly to
the point, "that within three days a party of American visitors
will be here. They come with a view to buying the mine, and I
shall sell it to them at a very handsome profit. Before we can
deal with these Americans it will be absolutely necessary for
me to have that report, signed by you both. Moreover, you must
both give me your word of honor that you will meet the Americans,
and stand back of that report. That you will do all in your power
to make possible the sale of the mine."

"We've discussed all of that before," said Harry, dryly.

"And we shall yet require a little more time before we can give a
too definite answer," Tom broke in hastily, to head off his chum.

"But the time is short, _caballeros_," Don Luis urged, a new light,
however, gleaming in his eyes, for this was the first time that
the young engineers had shown any likelihood of granting his wishes.

"A great deal can be decided upon in three days, Don Luis," Tom
went on, slowly. "You will have to give us a little more time,
and we will weigh everything carefully."

"But you believe that you will be ready to meet my views?" Don
Luis demanded, eagerly.

"I cannot see how our endorsement of your mine can be of any very
great value to you," Tom resumed. "It is hardly likely that a