it is not necessary. He
who resorts too often to the taking of life is sure to meet his
own doom."

"Not in Bonista," jeered Montez, "and not where Don Luis is concerned
in business matters."

"As you will, then," sighed the secretary. "You will please your
own self, anyway, Don Luis."

"Truly, Carlos. And so I have decided that these Gringo engineers
shall perish, anyway, as soon as they have served my purpose."

This talk had taken place in a cupola. Down the stair, with stealthy
steps, crept a young, horrified, trembling girl.

Francesca, knowing that her father had gone to the cupola, had
followed him to talk with him. She had halted on hearing voices.
Now, with despair in her eyes, the terrified girl stole away
like one haunted and hunted by evil spirits.

"My father--an intending murderer! He, of a proud hidalgo family,
a vile assassin, in thought at least?" moaned the girl, wringing
her hands as soon as she had stolen to the privacy of her own rooms.

"My father's hands--to be covered with human blood!" sobbed Francesca,
sinking down before a crucifix to pray.

For hours the girl remained in terror-stricken solitude. Then
she rose, somewhat comforted at last, and with the aid of cold
water removed the traces of her tears from her dark, beautiful face.

Her plan was to seek her father, throw herself at his feet, and
beg him not to disgrace the blood of the hidalgos nor to destroy
his own soul with a hideous crime.

"I must seek him in private. There must be no others near when
I make my appeal!" thought the girl.

Just then a servant entered.

"Your father is in the garden, Senorita Francesca," reported the
woman, "and wonders why you do not join him. It is his wish that
you join him now."

"Say to my father that his wish is my law," quavered the terrified
girl.

Five minutes later Francesca went timidly up to her father in
the gardens before the house.

Don Luis turned to her. He was thinking, at the moment, of his
dark plans regarding the young engineers. In his eyes, despite
his effort to smile on his daughter, was a deadly glitter that
dried up hope in the heart of the daughter.

"You have been secluding yourself more than usual to-day, _chiquita_,"
chided Montez.

That word _chiquita_, meaning "pet," caused the girl to recoil
inwardly. Could it be that this hard, cruel man had the right
to address her in endearing terms?

"I am not well to-day, my father," she answered, i