the little word. "He give up 'is
business to go away to fight to save you, while you stay be'ind to rob 'im.
Is zat fair?"

Hardy gave a gesture of disdain. "I'm not talking about what's fair, or
what's not fair. There's lots of things in this world that ain't right. I
am doing only what the law allows." He thought this cleared his skirts. It
was the refuge of every scoundrel.

"I do not speak about ze law," Lopez followed him up. "I am doing only what
is fair. If I were you, I should be ashamed for myself! You love your
country?"

"Certainly I do," the other answered.

"Like 'ell! You love yourself!" And Lopez deliberately turned his back on
him.

"Now, wait a minute!" Hardy begged. He could scarcely have this insult
added to the host of others. "I do love my country. I'm a good American."

"Yet you would rob ze man who fight for your country! Bah!" The bandit
waved his hand in disgust.

Hardy saw he was in a bad hole. "There's some truth in what you said," he
admitted, trying to crawl out. "He _has_ fought for America. And I'm
willing to do the right thing by him."

"You will?" yelled Uncle Henry, wheeling close to him.

"If I get this place, I'm willing to give him a good bonus," Hardy
continued.

Uncle Henry leaned forward, all eagerness. "How much?" he cried.

"Say, five hundred dollars," the loan shark generously offered.

"I knew there was a ketch in it!" Uncle Henry said, and rolled back in the
shadows of the alcove.

Lopez had been listening intently. Now he stepped up to Hardy and said:
"Senor Santy Claus, now I understand why it is so 'ard for your country to
get ze soldier. In Mexico, ze soldiers would take all ze money and give ze
people a bonus ... per'aps." He puffed his cigarette. "I am done wiz you."
He turned abruptly to Lucia. "Now I shall come to you."

She started.

"You love my frand, Senor Jones?"

Gilbert intervened. He could not stand this. "I don't know what you're
getting at," he said to Lopez, "nor how you're going to get it. But you
must see that you can't discuss a thing like this here. It's
impossible--utterly impossible." He was suffering vicariously for Lucia.

Pell sneered. "Your delicacy is somewhat delayed," he murmured.

"I don't mind business discussions. But there's been too much insinuation
to-day. I won't have any more of it," Jones said.

Lopez looked affectionately at the young fellow, "But if I would make you
'appy...." he said.

"I don't want to be m