“Because I had a suspicion that the fellow was the same I met once in Mexico, and I spoke to him in Spanish to make sure.  As he understood, I am convinced I was right.”

“Who is it, then?” asked Benson.

“His name, sir, is Manuel de Cordova, a well-known Mexican bandit, who seems to have found his way to this neighborhood.  He is a reckless desperado, and, though I addressed him boldly, I should be very sorry to meet him in a dark night.”

This explanation was very fluently spoken, but probably no one present believed what the colonel said, or exonerated him from the charge which George Melville had made against him.

Five miles further on Col.  Warner left the stage.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “I am sorry to leave this pleasant company, but I have a mining claim in this neighborhood, and must bid you farewell.  I trust that when you think of me hereafter, you will acquit me of the injurious charges which have been made against me.  I take no credit to myself for driving away the ruffian who stopped us, but hope you won’t forget it.”

“No one interfered with the colonel when he proposed to leave the stage.  Indeed, the passengers were unanimous in accepting his departure as a relief.  In spite of his plausible representations, he was regarded with general suspicion.

“I wish I knew the meaning of that Spanish lingo,” said the German, Conrad Stiefel.

“I can interpret it for you, Mr. Stiefel,” said George Melville, quietly.  “I have some knowledge of Spanish.”

“What did he say?” asked more than one, eagerly.

“He said:  ’You fool!  Don’t you see the plot has been discovered?  It wasn’t my fault.  I will soon join you and explain.’”

This revelation made a sensation.

“Then he was in league with the road agent, after all?” said Parker.

“Certainly he was.  Did you for a moment doubt it?” said Melville.

“I was staggered when I saw him order the rascal away.”

“He is a shrewd villain!” said Benson.  “I hope we shan’t encounter him again.”

CHAPTER XXVIII.

The conspirators in Council.

It is needless to say that Col.  Warner’s intention in leaving the stage was to join his fellow conspirator.  There was no advantage in remaining longer with his fellow travelers, since the opportunity of plundering them had passed, and for the present was not likely to return.  He had been a little apprehensive that they would try to detain him on suspicion, which would have been awkward, since they had numbers on their side, and all were armed.  But in that unsettled country he would have been an elephant on their hands, and if the idea entered the minds of any one of the stage passengers, it was instantly dismissed.

When the stage was fairly on the way, Col.  Warner went to a house where he was known, and asked for a horse.