"Is she home again, then?" demanded Nan.
"So it seems. Listen, I say," and Rhoda began to read:
"'Miss R. HAMMOND,
"'ROSE RANCH.
"'Dear Miss:—
"'I have arrived to my mother at Honoragas, and I take this pen in hand to let you know that Juan Sivello, Lobarto's nephew, who has come from the South—he is one of those who lisp—'"
"What does she mean by that?" interrupted Bess, in curiosity.
"The Mexicans of the southern provinces—many of the—do not pronounce the letter 's' clearly. They lisp," explained Rhoda. "Now let me read her letter." Then she pursued:
"'—one of those who lisp—and it is said of him that he has of his uncle's hand a map, or the like, which shows where the treasure lies buried at Rose Ranch. This news comes to my mother's ears by round-about. We do not know for sure. But Juan Sivello is one bad man like his uncle, Lobarto. It is the truth I write with this pen. Juan has collected together, it is said round-about, some men who once rode the ranges with Lobarto, and they go up into your country. For what? It is too easy, Miss. It is—'"
"Oh! Oh!" giggled Bess. "What delicious slang!"