“The mine is a rich one—­one of the richest in Mexico,” insisted Montez, “and you have secured a very great bargain.”

“I trust and hope that all that is true,” continued Mr. Haynes.  “Yet, if such should not be the case, and if we have bought a property under conditions that would make it certain swindle had been perpetrated—­”

“Senor!” warned Don Lids, taking a step forward, a deadly light in his eyes.  “Be Careful!”

“I am only stating a supposition,” resumed Mr. Haynes, coolly.  “Don Luis, I believe I have stated enough of that supposition to make it all clear.  If that supposition is true, then you would have to buy the mine back from us again.”

“Would I?” sneered the Mexican.

“Yes, Don Luis, or we could bring the matter about in another way.  I know the name of the bank in Mexico City to which you have transferred the funds received from us.  Our attorneys, acting through Mexican lawyers, can tie that money up and keep it in the bank until the question has been decided as to whether—­”

“Be careful, senor!” again warned Don Luis.

“Sir,” demanded Mr. Haynes, bluntly, “is the mine a valuable one, or is it a swindle?”

“You should not ask me,” Montez retorted, bitterly.  “You have your own engineers on the ground—­engineers whom you trust.  Ask them!  They will tell you.”

“Thank you,” assented Mr. Haynes, bowing.  Then, turning to Tom, the American railway president went on: 

“Reade, tell me the truth about this matter in a word.  Have we been defrauded in any way?”

“You have not, Mr. Haynes,” Tom answered steadily.  “You have now in your possession a property that is worth far more than has been paid for it.”

“You agree with that statement, do you, Hazelton?” asked Mr. Haynes.

“I do, sir,” Harry nodded.

Dr. Tisco, standing in the background, had all he could do to keep himself from dancing a few jig-steps.

“Decidedly, these young Americans are champion liars!” he thought to himself.  “They can readily outlie Don Luis or myself.  Now, if Don Luis still insists on having these gifted young engineers killed I am afraid I shall look upon him as being a man without honor.”

“You have heard your own engineers, senores,” broke in Don Luis.  “You trust them.  Now, are you not satisfied that I have dealt fairly with you?”

“Somehow, I ought to be satisfied,” agreed Mr. Haynes.  “And yet my private secretary is such a very careful and dependable man that I shall have to await further advices.  Of course, I place the fullest confidence in the honesty of our American engineers, Reade and Hazelton.  Tom, do you believe that you could possibly have been deceived as to the valued of this mining property?”

“I do not believe it possible, sir,” Tom replied, as steadfastly as before.  “In the face of anything that might be said, Hazelton and I will continue to claim that you have bought a property here worth more than you have paid for it.”