."

Harry glanced through the note and smiled. "That ought to scare
the bold, bad man," said he.

"Read this, Nicolas, and see if you think the note will shame
the scoundrel," laughed Tom.

"Pardon, _mi caballero_," objected Nicolas, "but I am no scholar.
I do not know how to read or write."

"Oh!" said Tom simply. "Then let me read it to you."

Tom repeated what he had written, then asking:

"Do you think, Nicolas, that it will be safe for you to take this
to Pedro Gato?"

"Assuredly, senor."

"And you are sure you can find the scoundrel?"

"I think so, though it may take considerable time."

Nicolas took the note, holding it tight in his left hand. He
was visible for a few steps, after which he dodged down behind
a rock and was seen no more.

Moving stealthily over the hillsides, Nicolas spent a full hour
in obtaining the first glimpse of Gato. That worthy was seated
on the ground, smoking and chatting in low tones with his
desperate-looking companions. Suddenly Pedro caught sight of the
servant and started up. He beckoned, and Nicolas approached.

"You have come to serve us," said Gato, delightedly. "You are
a good youth, and I shall reward you handsomely some day. You
are ready to tell us how we can trap the two Gringos. How many
weapons have they, and of what kind?"

"Truly, I do not know, Senor Gato," Nicolas answered.

"That taller Gringo taunted me with the claim that he was not
armed at all," grinned Gato, ferociously. "But I am too old a
man to be caught by any such lie as that. He was trying to lead
us on, that we might walk into their Gringo trap. Was he not?"

"Truly I do not know," Nicolas repeated.

"Then what are you doing here, if you bring us no news?" snarled
Gato, whereat Nicolas began to tremble.

"I--I bring a letter from his excellency, _el caballero_, Reade,"
faltered the servant.

"A letter?" cried Gato, hoarsely. "Why did you not say so before."

"I have been waiting, Senor Gato, until you gave me time to speak,"
protested the messenger.

"Hand me the letter," ordered Gato, stretching forth his hand.

Nicolas handed over the page torn from Tom's notebook. Gato slowly
puzzled his way through the note, his anger rising with every
word.

"The insolent Gringo!" he cried. "He insults my courage! This
from one who is a mere Gringo--the most cowardly race of people
on the earth. Oh, I shall exact revenge for this insolence.
And you, Nicolas, had the impu