While the Blue Mass Company, with more zeal¹ than discretion², were actively³ pursuing Pedro and Wiles⁴ over the road to Tres Pinos, Senors Miguel and Manuel were comfortably seated in a fonda at Monterey, smoking cigarritos and discussing their late discovery. But they were in no better mood than their late companions, and it appeared from their conversation that in an evil moment they had sold out their interest in the alleged⁵ silver mine to Wiles and Pedro for a few hundred dollars,—succumbing to what they were assured would be an active opposition⁶ on the part of the Americanos. The astute⁷ reader will easily understand that the accomplished⁸ Mr. Wiles did not inform them of its value as a quicksilver mine, although he was obliged to impart his secret to Pedro as a necessary accomplice⁹ and reckless coadjutor. That Pedro felt no qualms¹⁰ of conscience in thus betraying his two comrades may be inferred from his recent direct and sincere treatment of Concho, and that he would, if occasion offered or policy made it expedient¹¹, as calmly obliterate¹² Mr. Wiles, that gentleman himself never for a moment doubted.

 

“If we had waited but a little he would have given more,—this cock-eye!” regretted Manuel querulously.

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