do the laws of hospitality
weigh with us, for you have chosen to bully and threaten us under
your own roof. I will therefore be frank enough to tell you that
we regard you as a mere rogue. Am I right, Harry?"

"Wholly right," nodded Hazelton. "Don Luis, I cannot see that
you are one whit more honest, or in any sense more of a gentleman,
than any of the outlawed bandits who roam these mountains. Therefore,
as Americans and gentlemen, we find it wholly impossible for us
to remain either your employs or your guests. There can be no
hope whatever that we shall consent to serve you, even in the
most innocent way."

Don Luis heard them with rising anger, which, however, he kept down
with a fine show of self-control.

"_Caballeros_, you are young. You have not seen much of the world.
You are mere boys. You have not even, as yet, developed good
manners. Therefore I overlook in you what, in men, might arouse
my anger. Take my advice. Go to your rooms. Think matters over.
When you have cooled we will talk again. No--not a word, now."

Don Luis stepped aside. Tom bowed, very stiffly, in passing the
Mexican. Harry merely gazed into the Mexican's eyes with a steadiness
and a contempt that made the mine owner wince.

Straight down the hallway, to their rooms, Tom marched, Harry
following. Barefooted Nicolas sprang forward, bowing, then swinging
open the door. He bowed again as the young engineers stepped
inside. Then Nicolas pulled the door shut.

"Are you going to stay, Tom, and have any further talk with this
thief?" sputtered Harry, who had held in about as long as was
safe for him.

"What do you think?" Tom asked, grimly, as he knelt upon his trunk
and tugged at the strap.

"I reckon I think about the same as you do," rejoined Hazelton,
closing his own trunk and strapping it.

"One--two _hoist_!" ordered Reade, settling his own trunk upon
his shoulder.

Harry followed suit. In Indian file they moved across the room.

"Nicolas," called Tom, "be good enough--the door!"

The barefooted servant swung the barrier open.

"Thank you," said Tom, marching out. Then he dumped the trunk,
noiselessly, to the floor. Going into an inner pocket he produced
a five dollar bill.

"Nicolas," said the young chief engineer, "you have certainly
done all in your power to make us comfortable. I am sorry that
we are not longer to have the comfort of your services. Will
you do me the favor of accepting this as a