course, the poor American fools haven't any idea that they
will set out on the ride, but will never return," murmured Don
Luis's secretary, to himself. "Pedro Gato, turned loose on the
same day he was arrested, has waited a long time for his revenge.
He and the dozen bandits he has gathered around him will shoot
the American engineers full of holes out on the road, and Don
Luis, when he returns, deluged in his own tears, will tell the
awful story of the encounter with the bandits. What a clever
scoundrel Don Luis is!"

Fifteen minutes later the automobile stood before the steps to
the big porch.

"You two, my friends," called Don Luis, resting a hand on Tom's
shoulder and beckoning to Harry. "You will take one last ride
with me, will you not? And, while we are gone, I shall discuss
a few more of my plans with you."

Wholly unsuspicious of this final tragic touch to the drama, Tom
Reade and Harry Hazelton went down the steps, following Don Luis
Montez into the car.

CHAPTER XXII

MR. HAYNES ASKS A FEW QUESTIONS

Slowly the car started clown the drive. "Oh, Don Luis!" called
Mr. Hippen, running to the corner of the porch.

"Stop!" said Montez to his chauffeur. "Mr. Haynes is signaling you,"
continued Mr. Hippen. "I think he wants to say something to you."

Don Luis turned, and beheld the president and the general manager
of the A.G.& N.M. Railroad hastening toward the gate.

"Drive down to the gate and await the gentlemen there," was Don
Luis's next order.

Mr. Hippen, too, started down the roadway, seeing which Dr. Tisco
reached his side and went with him.

There was a general meeting of the different parties at the gate.

"I signaled you, Don Luis, to inquire if Ellsworth and myself
might go on your drive with you?" explained Mr. Haynes.

"Gentlemen, I am truly sorry," began Don Luis Montez, in his most
honeyed tones, "but the truth is that I desire to have a private
conference with Senores Reade and Hazelton."

"Then we won't ask to accompany you, this time." said Mr. Haynes,
laughing.

"We would be glad to take you, but our business conversation would
then be delayed," Don Luis explained. "However, if you wish--"

"I don't want to spoil your talk," laughed Mr. Haynes. "But I
have this to say to Reade and Hazelton. We gentlemen have been
discussing the new management of the mine, and we are united in
feeling that we want these young men to remain here and manage
our new proper