ny
of these capitalists who are coming have ever heard of us. In
any case, they are quite likely to feel that we are much too young
to be able to form professional opinions of any value."

"You give me your help in the matter," coaxed Montez, "and I will
attend to the rest. More, _caballeros_; stand by me so well that
I dispose of the mine, and I will promise you twenty thousand
dollars, gold, apiece."

"That is a lot of money," Reade nodded, thoughtfully. "But there
are other considerations, too."

"Yes; your liberty and your safety," Montez broke in, quickly,
with a meaning smile. "_Caballeros_, do not for one moment think
that I can be hoodwinked, and that you will be safe as soon as
you meet your fellow Americans. One single flaw in your conduct,
after they arrive, and I assure you that you will be promptly
arrested. That would be the end of you. It is always easy for
government officers to report that prisoners attempted to escape,
and were shot dead because of the attempt. That is exactly what
will happen if you do aught to hinder the sale of this mining
property."

"Nothing like a clear understanding," smiled Tom, rising, and
once more holding out his hand. "Don Luis, it will be enough
if we give you our answer by the morning of day after to-morrow?
And I will add that I think we shall see our way clear to help
along the sale of this mining property at a high figure. Let
me see; at what value do you hold it?"

"At two million and a half dollars, Senor Reade."

"I think we can assure your visitors that they are doing well
enough," Tom nodded.

"One word more, _caballeros_," said Montez, as he let go of the
young chief engineer's hand. "If you fail us, do not either of
you imagine, for a moment, that you have any further lease of life."

"I don't believe we shall fail you," Tom assured the Mexican.
"I believe that the visiting Americans will buy. If they don't
it won't be our fault."

"And now that we are at such an excellent understanding once more,
Senor Reade," proposed the mine owner, "can't we prevail upon
you to come up to the house and spend a pleasant evening."

"Thank you," Tom returned, graciously. "But not to-night. I
am restless. I must do considerable thinking, and I don't want
to talk much. Action is what I crave. If you see us running
all over your property, don't imagine that we are trying to run
away from here."

"My property is at your disposal," smiled Don Luis.