a country to put the reigning queen out of
business he has a license to expect a real warm welcome. Well, I got
it."

Once again Jimmie Corbett appeared in the doorway, this time with a
yellow envelope which he handed to Gordon.

Dick read the enclosed telegram and passed it to Pesquiera.

The Spaniard waved his hand and made a feeble attempt at a cheer.

"Am I to hear the good news?" Valencia asked.

"Read it, Mr. Pesquiera."

Manuel read:

"Relinquishment of claim to Moreno grant in favor of Valencia
Valdes filed ten minutes ago. Have you taken my advice in regard to
consolidation?

KATE UNDERWOOD."

"What does she mean about a consolidation?" asked Miss Valdes.

Dick flushed. "Oh, that was just something we were talking over--some
foolishness or other, I reckon. Nothing to it. The important point is
that the legal fight is over. You're now the owner of both the Valdes
and the Moreno claims."

"_Le roi est mort! Vive la reine!_" cried Manuel gaily.

"I can't be said to have had a very peaceful reign. Wish you better
luck, ma'am." He let his eyes rest drolly on the invalid for a moment.
"And I hope when you take a prince consort to share the throne he'll
meet all expectations--which I'm sure he will."

Dick shook hands with the bright-eyed flushing girl.

She laughed in the midst of her blushes. "_Gracias, senor!_ I'll save
your good wishes till they are needed."

"_Adios_, _Don_ Manuel. See you to-morrow if you're up to it. I expect
you've had enough excitement for one day."

"I'll let you know then whether I can accept your gift, Mr. Gordon,"
Valencia told him.

"That's all settled," he assured her as he left.

* * * * *

It was in the evening that he saw her again. Dick had stopped in the
hall on the way to his room to examine a .303 Savage carbine he found
propped against the wall. He had picked the weapon up when a voice above
hailed him. He looked up. Valencia was leaning across the balustrade of
the stairway.

"I want to talk with you, Mr. Gordon."

"Same here," he answered promptly. "I mean I want to talk with you.
Let's take a walk."

"No. You're not up to a walk. We'll drive. My rig is outside."

Ten minutes later they were flying over the hard roads packed with
rubble from decomposed sandstone. Neither of them spoke for some time.
He was busy with the reins, and she was content to lean back and watch
him. To her there was something very a