ocked into silence at the inexpressible profligacy
displayed, and ashamed of her presence in the midst of it, a merry peal
of laughter burst through the parted lips of the Mexican dancer.

"_Dios de Dios_, but I had all forgot dis vas your night for de dance,
senor. But you no so easy forget Mercedes, hey?"

He stood directly before them, plainly embarrassed, gripping his
disreputable hat in both hands like a great bashful boy, his face
reddening under her smiling eyes, his voice appearing to catch within
his throat. Mercedes laughed again, patting his broad shoulder with
her white hand as though she petted a great, good-natured dog. Then
her sparkling black eyes caught sight of something unexpected beyond,
and, in an instant, grew hard with purpose.

"Holy Mother! but eet 's true he ees here, senorita--see yonder by de
second vindow," she whispered fiercely. "Maybe it vas so he tink to
get you once more, but he not looked dis vay yet. _Bueno_! I make him
dance vis me. Dis man Stutter Brown, an' he go vis you to de hotel;
ees eet not so, _amigo_?"

"I-I have no t-t-time," he stuttered, totally confused. "Y-you see, I
'm in a h-hell of a h-h-hurry."

"Pah; eet vill not take five minute, an' I be here ven you come back.
Si, senor, I vait for you for de dance, sure." She turned eagerly to
Miss Norvell. "You go vis him, senorita; he ver' good man, I,
Mercedes, know."

The American looked at them both, her eyes slightly smiling in
understanding.

"Yes," she assented quietly, "I believe he is."

CHAPTER XI

HALF-CONFIDENCES

Whatever Stutter Brown may secretly have thought concerning this new
arrangement of his affairs, he indulged in no outward manifestations.
Not greatly gifted in speech, he was nevertheless sufficiently prompt
in action. The swift, nervous orders of the impulsive Mexican dancer
had sufficiently impressed him with one controlling idea, that
something decidedly serious was in the air; and, as she flitted across
the room, looking not unlike a red bird, he watched her make directly
toward a man who was leaning negligently back in a chair against the
farther wall. For a moment he continued to gaze through the obscuring
haze of tobacco smoke, uncertain as to the other's identity, his eyes
growing angry, his square jaw set firm.

"W-who is the f-f-feller?" he questioned gruffly. "Wh-what 's she
m-mean l-leavin' me to go over th-thar ter h-him?"

Beth Norvell glanced up frankly i