her
good or bad reasons it will be best to let him go."

"You are right, Carlos," nodded the mine owner quickly. Then,
raising his voice:

"My good Gato, you shall have your wish," he went on, in his purring
tone. "Yet do not think there is anger behind my words. I let
you go because it is your wish. I do not so decide that I may
humiliate you, but because you have served me well. When you
need a friend, Gatito, you will know to whom to send word. Go your
way in friendship."

Even Tom Reade, with his somewhat scant knowledge of Spanish,
was quick to note, mentally, the meaning of that term, "Gatito,"
which meant "little Gato," and was used as a term of affection.
It was a form of telegraphy that was not wasted on the departing
mine manager, either, for it told him that Don Luis had some excellent
reason for thus quickly falling in with the wishes of the new
American chief engineer.

With a grateful smile at Don Luis, then with a scowl of unutterable
hatred flung in Tom Reade's direction, Pedro Gato next turned on his
heel and strode up the path.

From his pocket Harry Hazelton drew forth the silver-mounted revolver
and approached the owner of the mine.

"Allow me to return this to you, Don Luis," urged Hazelton. "I
must also apologize for having snatched it from you so rudely.
I did not know what else to do, for I feared that you intended
to interfere in the quarrel."

"And what if I had so intended?" asked the Mexican mine owner,
with one of his puzzling smiles.

"Just this," Harry answered, candidly. "Mr. Reade never gets
into a fight if he can help it. When he does find himself in
one I have learned, from long experience, not to interfere unless
he calls for help. So I did not want any one to interfere between
him and Gato."

"It was a most unfortunate affair," said the Mexican. "Senor
Tomaso, I must warn you that Pedro Gato is one who never forgives
an injury. He will devote himself to thoughts of a revenge that
shall be terrible enough to satisfy his wounded feelings. You
will do well to be on your guard."

Tom smiled as he replied:

"Don Luis, I trust that I have seen the last of the fellow."

"Be assured that you have not seen the last of him, Senor Tomaso."

"Then it may go hard with Gato," smiled Tom, carelessly. "But
I trust I have not offended you in this matter, Don Luis. If
I have, I am willing to withdraw, and I will reimburse you for
the expense you have incurred in brin