d the passage through the stone slits over the cell doors.
Only then did Mendez venture to pause, and glance back at his captor.

"Pardon, _senorita_," he said gallantly, "but I would have view of the
first lady who ever took Pasqual Mendez prisoner. The sight robs me of
all displeasure. In truth it is hardly necessary for you to resort to
fire-arms."

"I prefer them," shortly. "Go on!"

The darkness swallowed them again, but the way was clear, and, once
around the sharp turn, a glimmer of distant daylight made advance
easier. There was no sign of any guard visible, nor any movement
perceptible in the open vista beyond the cave entrance. The girl
touched Mendez's arm.

"Wait; I would ask a question, or two first, before we venture further.
I was brought in this way, yet my memory is not clear. There are two
log houses before the cave?"

"Yes," he answered readily, "one somewhat larger than the other--the
men occupy that; the other is for myself and my officers."

"Besides Cateras?"

"No, not at present; at times I have guests. It would be pleasurable
to entertain you, and your friend."

"No doubt. You expect Lacy?"

"You know that also? How did you learn?"

"I heard you talk to the men at the other end. It is true, is it not?"

"I have sent for him; it was yesterday."

"And he could be here now?"

"Not before night; it is a hard ride; why ask all this?"

"I have reasons. Now another thing; where are your men?"

His eyes wandered to the gleam of daylight.

"There will be one or two in the bunk-house likely; the others are with
the cattle up the valley."

"But none in your cabin?"

He shook his head.

"And you say Lacy cannot get here before dark? How late?"

He hesitated over his reply, endeavouring shrewdly to conjecture what
could be the object of all this questioning, yet finally concluding
that the truth would make very little difference.

"Well, _senorita_, I may as well tell you, I suppose. It is the rule
not to enter this valley until after dark. I expect the Americanos to
arrive about ten o'clock."

"The Americanos?"

"_Si_, there will be three in the party, one of them a man from New
York, who has business with me."

Miss Donovan's decision was rapidly made, her mind instantly grasping
the situation. This man would be Enright, and the business he had with
Mendez concerned Cavendish, and possibly herself also. She glanced
again into the stern, hawklike face of the M