ering
riffles all housed the quick speckled beauties. Then, as Norton had
predicted, the fish were fried, crisp and brown, in sizzling
bacon-grease, while the thin wafers of bacon garnished the tin plate
bedded in hot ashes. They nooned in the shady grove, sipping their
coffee that had the taste of some rare, black nectar. And throughout
the long lazy afternoon they loitered as it pleased them, picked
flowers, wandered anew through the ruins of the King's Palace, lay by
the singing water, and were quietly content. It was only when the
shadows had thickened over the world and the promise of the primroses
was fulfilled that they made ready for the return ride. Before they
had gone down to their horses the moths were coming to the yellow
flowers, tumbling about them, filling the air with the frail beating of
their wings.

At Struve's hotel . . . Elmer and Virginia had ridden on to Engle's
home . . . Virginia told Norton good night, thanking him for a perfect
day. As their hands met for a little she saw a new, deeply probing
look in his eyes, a look to be understood. He towered over her,
physically superb. As she had felt it before, so now did she
experience that odd little thrill born from nearness to him go singing
through her. She withdrew her hand hastily and went in. In her own
room she stood a long time before her glass, seeking to read what lay
in her own eyes.

Tom Cutter was waiting for Norton--merely to tell him that a stranger
had come to San Juan, a Mexican with all the earmarks of a gentleman
and a man of means. The Mexican's name was Enrique del Rio. He
evidently came from below the border. He had lost no time in finding
Jim Galloway, with whom he had been all afternoon.

CHAPTER XVI

THE MEXICAN FROM MEXICO

Enrique del Rio promptly became known to San Juan as the Mexican from
Mexico, this to distinguish him from the many Mexicans, as San Juan
knew them, who had never seen that turbulent field of intrigue and
revolt from which their sires had come. He showed himself from the
outset to be a gentleman of culture, discernment, and ability. He was
suave, he was polished, he gave certain signs of refinement.

His first afternoon and evening he bestowed upon Jim Galloway. The
second day found him registered at Struve's hotel. The following
morning he presented himself with a sheaf of credentials at the bank,
asking for John Engle. With him came Ignacio Chavez in the role of
interp