ns, trampled by
the cattle, but no one knew how it came about. Then Jose took everything
and told me I had nothing. He went north again three years ago. A year
later he came back and told me I was not his wife, that our marriage was
void because it was not performed in this country. I became very ill. He
took me away among strangers and left me there, to die, as he thought.
But he was mistaken. I had something to live for,--to follow him, as I
have followed him and will follow him to the end."

The woman rose from the table; Mr. Britton rose also, and stood for a
moment, facing her.

"He is a dangerous man," he said; "how is it that you do not fear him?"

She laughed softly. "He fears me, Senor; why should I fear him?"

"I understand," Mr. Britton said; "he fears you because you know him to
be a criminal; because his freedom--perhaps his very life--is in your
hands. Why are you not in danger on that account? What is to hinder his
taking a life so inimical to his own?"

A cunning, treacherous smile crept over her face and a baleful light
gleamed in her eyes, as she replied, "If I die at his hand my secret
does not die with me. I have fixed that. If I die to-day, the world
knows my secret to-morrow. He knows it, Senor, and I am safe."

"Did it never occur to you," said Mr. Britton, slowly, "that for the
safety of others your secret should be made known now?"

The woman's whole appearance changed; she regarded Mr. Britton with a
look of mingled anger and terror, as he continued:

"That man's life and freedom are a constant menace to other lives. Are
you willing to take the responsibility of the results which may follow
your withholding that secret, keeping it locked within your own breast?"

The woman looked quickly for a chance of escape, but Mr. Britton barred
the only means of exit. Her expression was that of a creature brought to
bay.

"I understand the meaning of your kindness to-night," she cried,
fiercely. "You are one of the 'fly' men, and you thought to buy my
secret from me. Let me tell you, you will never buy it, nor can you
force it from me! So long as he does me no harm I will never make it
known, and if I die a natural death, it dies with me!"

"You are mistaken," he replied, calmly; "I am no detective, no official
of any sort. My bringing you here to-night was of itself wholly
disinterested, done for the sake of a friend who wished me to help you.
I have wished to meet you and talk with you, as I