ade happy at a cost so great," Gilbert affirmed.

Lucia's lovely head drooped, and she moved to the window.

"It shall be but a moment," the bandit promised. Gilbert walked to the
fireplace so that his face would not be seen. Lopez went over to Lucia.
"Senora, you do not wish to speak of love. Why?"

"I am married," was the answer.

"And because you are marry, you cannot speak of love?... Eet is strange
customs. Tell me, senora, what does your marriage service say?"

"One promises to love, honor, and obey, in sickness and in health, till
death shall part."

Lopez smiled. "All zat you promise?"

"Yes," very low.

"And yet you 'ave divorce!"

"Yes," lower still.

"So zat, after 'aving promise to love, honor, and hobey," he tapped off one
finger at a time, and looked as if he wanted to get this mysterious matter
straight in his mind, "until death, you 'ave ze right to break your word
because ze judge say you can? Is zat it?"

"Y-y-y-yes. I suppose so."

Lopez smoked a moment, looked at the ceiling, and then said, "Well, why not
break it yourself and save ze trouble!"

"It's the law," Lucia told him.

"Humph! An' what does ze 'usband promise? An' 'as 'e kept 'is promise?"
There was no reply. "Is plain 'e 'as not. Zen why should you keep your word
to 'im, when 'e 'as broken 'is word to you? Eh? Why do you not go before ze
judge and 'ave your promise broken? Why ees it ze custom of your country?
Why? Why?" He looked bewildered.

Lucia could say nothing. What was there to say? Suddenly Uncle Henry's
sharp voice was heard: "I'll tell you why!"

Lopez turned to him. "And why?"

"She ain't got no money," Uncle Henry informed the room.

Lucia lifted her face. "Oh, do you think that would make any difference?"

"So!" Lopez was interested, "'Er 'usband? 'E 'as money?"

"He's richer'n mud," Uncle Henry declared.

Pell started to speak; but Pedro stopped him by lifting his gun.

"How much?" Lopez asked, not noticing.

Uncle Henry was bursting with information. "He's worth millions, the big
bum!"

The bandit's eyes opened wide. "Millions!" he repeated. He looked at Lucia.
"Yet 'e give nozzing to ze wife. H'm! Senora, tell me.... Does a widow in
your country get any of 'er 'usband's money when 'e dies?"

Pell, listening intently, drew a sharp breath. He caught the significance
of the question. His lips contracted. This damned bandit was capable of
anything.

Lopez paid no attention to him. He asked for e