“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.  “I shall feel assured that you will not go many miles from here.”

The remark covered the fact that Montez had all avenues of escape so well guarded that the young engineers simply could not escape by flight.

Good nights were exchanged, and the visitors, smiling politely, departed.

“Now, why on earth did you talk to Don Luis in that fashion?” Harry demanded, as soon as they were alone.  “You know, well enough, that not even the certainty of immediate death would make you accede to his rascally wishes.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know anything of the sort,” Tom drawled.  “On the contrary, we may help Montez sell out to the American visitors.”

Harry gasped.

“Tom Reade, are you going crazy?”

“Not that I’ve noticed.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“Harry, I’m tired, and I think you are.”

“I’m sick and tired with disgust that Don Luis should think he could use us to bait his money-traps with,” Hazelton retorted.