"No," he said shortly. "I'll leave that for later. When I got some
time on my hands that I want to use up in enjoyment. Then I'll go
after your friend Delton."

"He's no friend of mine," retorted Bud. "But let's not chop about it
until after breakfast, anyway. Think that Mexican cook is on the job?"

"Heard him movin' around a while ago, Bud. Let's go down an' see.
Billee is downstairs, and I guess Nort an' Dick are too."

When they reached the dining room they found the others waiting for
them.

"Sleep good, boys?" Dick asked.

"Sure did. Felt like I'd never wake up. Say, steak this morning!"
Nort cried as he saw the table loaded with food. "We got _some_ cook
here!"

"Don't it strike you all kind 'a funny that the Mex has got so much
stuff on hand?" Billee Dobb wanted to know. "Course it _might_ be that
this Delton feller had just stocked up before we came. Hey, Mex!" he
yelled into the kitchen. "_Aqui_! _Pronto_!"

The Mexican strolled calmly to where the five sat waiting.

"Where you get all this?" Billee pointed to the plates of meat.

The Mexican shrugged his shoulders and motioned toward the kitchen.

"Boss leave it here?"

Another shrug.

"Now listen, Mex. You know what I mean. You nod or shake your head
when I ask you questions." Yellin' Kid walked over and stood before
the Mexican.

"First, did you work for this guy Delton?"

A nod.

"Then when he beat it, you stayed here, hey?"

A nod.

"Why?"

"He can't answer that with his head, Kid," Nort broke in.

"I know it, but maybe he can tell us by motions. Hey? Why you no go
with Delton?"

The Mexican pointed toward himself, then to the kitchen. His hands
simulated the job of peeling potatoes. Then he flung both arms wide,
and moved his head in a semi-circle, eyes opened as though he were
looking for something.

"So he went when you were in the kitchen, hey, an' didn't say nothin'
about it. Well, that sounds logical."

"Kid, for Pete's sake, let's eat!" Bud interrupted. "You did
fine--give you a badge as a special detective. All right, Mex,
outside. Gee, you certainly are curious, Kid!"

"I just want to know a few things, that's all," Yellin' Kid protested.
"I don't want to get poisoned. Can't tell who that Mex is--for all we
know he may be one of Delton's men left here to watch us."

"Say, I was thinking the same thing," Dick put in. "But his graphic
explanation as to why he's here seems to be at least p