signed
document to Dr. Tisco. "Now, senores, let us have the whole matter
understood. The report is excellent; it could not be better for
the purpose. The American visitors will be delighted with it.
But you are not to play me any tricks of any kind!"

"Don Luis," promised Tom, earnestly, "we shall stand by that report
first, last and through to the finish. We shall not--by word,
gesture, wink, or by any trick or device--give your coming American
visitors the least warning that the report is not fully as honest
as it appears to be."

We shall back you firmly and as strongly as we know how, and help
you in any way in our power to put the deal through. Can we promise
you more?"

"No," said the mine owner. "And, on my part, I promise you that,
if I sell the mine, as I now surely shall do, you shall have twenty
thousand dollars, gold, apiece, and your lives also. Here is
my hand on the pledge of an hidalgo."

Don Luis shook hands with both American engineers. Even as he
did so a wolfish gleam crept into his eyes. Montez, in his mind's
eye, already saw the two Gringos stretched on the ground in death
in a remoter part of the mountains. That was to be his real reward
to the young dupes of his villainy.

"When do you expect your purchasers?" Tom Reade inquired.

"Two days after to-morrow, Senor Reade. But, in the meantime,
now that we are friends and really partners--will you not come
over and share the comforts of my poor home while we wait?"

"You will pardon us for not accepting, Don Lids," Tom urged.
"We have met your wishes, and shall continue to meet them, but
we feel that we would rather remain where we are--at least, until
your visitors arrive."

"So be it, then," muttered Don Luis. Yet he appeared slightly
offended by their decision. Since the young engineers had now
proved themselves to be as great rascals as he himself, Don Luis
Montez could not understand why they should refuse to associate
with him.

"You wish me to leave you alone, now?" asked the mine owner, smiling
rather coldly.

"Only when you wish to leave us, Don Luis," Tom protested, so
artlessly that the Mexican felt less offended.

"Sit down and chat with us until you tire of our company," urged
Harry Hazelton.

So Montez and Tisco dropped into the campstools again. They tried
to chat on various topics, but conversation proved a failure.

"We will go, now," said Don Luis, rising twenty minutes later.
"But, senores, we sh