"Not me!" ejaculated the prisoner, shaking his head.
"No?"
"I tell you they abandoned me. I do not know where they go."
"And what were you hanging about that place over there in the hills for?" demanded Mr. Hammond. "Come, now! Didn't you give your friends the slip because you wanted to hunt for that old hidden treasure?"
"Senor!"
"Never mind denying it," said the ranchman sternly. "And I reckon I can make another guess. You are Lobarto's nephew. Your name is Juan Sivello. I bet there's a warrant out for you in the sheriff's office at Osaka right now, my boy."
The young Mexican jumped up, startled. Mr. Hammond reached out a hand and pushed him back into his seat.
"Sit down, boy. You'd better make a clean breast of it. I want to know all you know about that old bandit's hoard, or you'll go to the sheriffs office with me in the morning. Take your choice."