“Now, that Don Mike,” she continued critically, “is thoughtful of and very deferential to those to whom deference is due, which characteristic, coupled with the fact that he is, in a certain sense, a most pathetic figure at this time, is bound to make a profound impression on any girl of ready sympathy.  And pity is akin to love.”

“I see,” Parker nodded sagely.  “Then you think he’ll go down to defeat with his mouth shut?”

“I’m certain of it, John.”

“On the other hand, if he should succeed in sending me down to defeat, thereby regaining his lost place in the sun, he might—­er—­”

“Let us be practical, John.  Let us call a spade a spade.  If he regains the Rancho Palomar, his thoughts will inevitably turn to the subject of a mistress for that old hacienda.  He has pride of race, I tell you, and he would be less than human if he could contemplate himself as the last of that race.

“John, he did not capture that panther alive a few moments ago merely to be spectacular.  His underlying reason was the thirty-dollar bounty on the pelt and the salvation of his cattle.  And he did not capture that Basque this morning and extort justice, long-delayed, with any thought that by so doing he was saving his principality for a stranger.  He will not fight you to a finish for that.”

“What a philosopher you’re getting to be, my dear!” he parried ironically.  And, after a pause, “Well, I see very clearly that if your predictions come to pass, I shall be as popular in certain circles as the proverbial wet dog.”

Her roguish eyes appraised him.

“Yes, John; you’re totally surrounded now.  I suppose, when you realize the enormity of the odds against you, you’ll do the decent thing and—­”

“Renew his mortgage?  Not in a million years!” Parker’s voice carried a strident note of finality, of purpose inflexible, and he thumped the pommel of his saddle thrice in emphasis.  He was a man who, although normally kind and amiable, nevertheless reserved these qualities for use under conditions not connected with the serious business of profiting by another’s loss.  Quite early in life he had learned to say “No.”  He preferred to say it kindly and amiably, but none the less forcibly; some men had known him to say it in a manner singularly reminiscent of the low, admonitory growl of a fierce old dog.

“But, John dear, why are we accumulating all this wealth?  Is not Kay our sole heir?  Is not—­”

“Do not threaten me with Kay,” he interrupted irritably.  “I play my game according to the time-honored rules of that game.  I do not ask for quarter, and I shall not give it.  I’m going to do all in my power to acquire the Rancho Palomar under that mortgage I hold—­and I hope that young man gives me a bully fight.  That will make the operation all the more interesting.