ish
landlord. Ah! stop--remain tranquil! I remember," he went on, suddenly
striking his forehead with a dramatic gesture, "the old owner of thees
ranch was my cousin Tiburcio. Of a consequence, my friend, thees angel
is my second cousin! Behold! I shall call there on the instant. I shall
embrace my long-lost relation. I shall introduce my best friend, Don
Pancho, who lofe her. I shall say, 'Bless you, my children,' and it is
feenish! I go! I am gone even now!"

He started up and clapped on his hat, but Grey caught him by the arm.

"For Heaven's sake, Enriquez, be serious for once," he said, forcing him
back into the chair. "And don't speak so loud. The foreman in the other
room is an enthusiastic admirer of the girl. In fact, it is on his
account that I am making these inquiries."

"Ah, the gentleman of the pantuflos, whose trousers will not remain! I
have seen him, friend. Truly he has the ambition excessif to arrive
from the bed to go to the work without the dress or the wash. But," in
recognition of Grey's half serious impatience, "remain tranquil. On him
I shall not go back! I have said! The friend of my friend is ever the
same as my friend! He is truly not seducing to the eye, but without
doubt he will arrive a governor or a senator in good time. I shall gif
to him my second cousin. It is feenish! I will tell him now!"

He attempted to rise, but was held down and vigorously shaken by Grey.

"I've half a mind to let you do it, and get chucked through the window
for your pains," said the editor, with a half laugh. "Listen to me. This
is a more serious matter than you suppose."

And Grey briefly recounted the incident of the mysterious attacks on
Starbottle and Richards. As he proceeded he noticed, however, that
the ironical light died out of Enriquez's eyes, and a singular
thoughtfulness, yet unlike his usual precise gravity, came over his
face. He twirled the ends of his penciled mustache--an unfailing sign of
Enriquez's emotion.

"The same accident that arrive to two men that shall be as opposite as
the gallant Starbottle and the excellent Richards shall not prove that
it come from Ramierez, though they both were at the fonda," he said
gravely. "The cause of it have not come to-day, nor yesterday, nor
last week. The cause of it have arrive before there was any gallant
Starbottle or excellent Richards; before there was any American in
California--before you and I, my leetle brother, have lif! The cause
happe