ck
in his seat.

"_Caballeros_," he inquired, suddenly, "what did you think of
_El Sombrero_?"

"I would call it, Don Luis," Harry replied, with enthusiasm, "the
finest mine I have seen or heard of."

"You did not see the best of the ore to-day," Montez assured them.

"What ore we did see is as fine as any we would ever wish to see,"
Tom said.

"Then you were delighted with the mine?" inquired their host,
turning to Reade and speaking more eagerly.

"If the ore always runs as well," Tom rejoined, "it ought to be
one of the richest gold and silver properties in the world."

"Pouf! The ore usually runs much better--is worth much more
than that which you saw to-day," protested Don Luis.

"Then you are to be congratulated on possessing a treasure among
mines," Tom commented.

"I am delighted to hear you say that."

"But when we adjourn to your office," Reade continued, "there
are a few questions that I shall want to ask you."

"Why not ask them here, Senor Tomaso?" queried Don Luis, in his
purring, half affectionate voice.

"Here at your table?" protested Reade.

"But this is not dinner. This is a mere business luncheon," replied
Don Luis, with another smile.

"Yet I would like to discuss some of the samples with you, Don Luis,"
Tom explained. "Surely, you do not wish me to bring out dirty
samples to spread on your fine linen."

"It would matter not," declared the Mexican. "Still, if you have
scruples about the proprieties, then we will go to the office
within a few minutes."

The two who were smoking continued to do so. Don Luis started
to describe some of his experiments in raising Spanish mules.
The finest mules that come out of Spain, class, in price, with
blooded horses. Don Luis talked with the enthusiasm of one who
understood and loved mules.

Then, finally, they passed to the office.

"Now, I shall be glad to talk with you for hours," the Mexican
hidalgo assured the young engineers.

Dr. Tisco, as though to show that he took no personal interest in
the talk, retired to an armchair at the further end of the room.
Nevertheless, the secretary observed carefully all that was said.
Covertly he studied the faces of the young engineers at all times.

"Ask me what you will," begged Don Luis, as he sank into an easy
chair close to the table on which Tom began to arrange his envelopes
of specimens taken from the mine.

"First of all, Don Luis," Tom began, "you spoke of some problems
that y