nd called a contemptuous laugh from the superintendent so valiantly
defied.

The cheer died in an ominous silence which Senor Bernal improved.

"Highly dramatic and most edifying, _en verdad._ Senor, I kiss your
hands in even greater devotion. But the play has one little drawback.
To I, me, myself, belongs Sobrante. Already I have had the law of which
you spoke. My claim I have proved. From the long back generations the
good title from the Mission Padres to my own fathers, yes. Sobrante?
_Si._ More and better. Wide lies the valley of Paraiso d'Oro. Mine,
Mine. All--all mine. No?"

He rose to his feet and pompously paced up and down the room, insolently
handsome and proud of the fact, while out on the darkened porch Mr. Hale
had heard a word which set his own pulses beating faster and the row of
ranchmen started forward as if minded to throw the braggart out of the
house.

But Jessica stepped forth and cried, triumphantly, though still with an
effort toward that courtesy she desired.

"Beg pardon, Senor Antonio Bernal, but surely you are quite mistaken. My
father taught me some things. He said I was not too young to learn
them. He--he only--has the title deed to dear Sobrante, and I--I
only--know the safe place where it is kept!"

Antonio halted in his strutting march and for a moment his face grew
pale. The next instant he had regained more than his former confidence,
and with a sneering laugh, exclaimed:

"Seeing is believing, no? To the satisfaction of the assembled most
honorable company," here he bowed with mock politeness, "let this most
interesting document be produced. _Si._"

Jessica flew from the room and in an intolerable anxiety the whole
"honorable company" awaited her long-delayed return.

CHAPTER VI

NIGHT VISIONS

When the tension of waiting was becoming intolerable, and Mrs. Trent was
already rising to seek her daughter, Jessica reappeared in the doorway.
Her white face and frightened eyes told her story without words, but her
mother forced herself to ask:

"Did you find it, darling?"

"Mother, it is gone!"

"Gone!"

"Gone. Yet it was only that dear, last day when he was with us, in the
morning, before he set out for the mines, that he showed it to me, safe
and sound in its place. He was to tell you, too, that night--but----"

"It was that, then, which was on his mind, and I could not understand.
I--Antonio Bernal, he entrusted you and you must know; where is that
missing de