He had no bones broken, his worst injuries being a few bruises and a very unpleasant shaking.
But Chivey was artful.
He thought it best to keep quiet until Herbert Murray should be gone.
Chivey struggled up on to his knees.
Then he began to crawl along the sand pit.
Progress was difficult at first.
But he persevered and got along in time.
"If these bruises would only let me think how further to act," he muttered to himself, as groaning, he crawled back to the town.
"Señor Velasquez," he said to himself, as a happy thought crossed him. "Señor Velasquez is my man for a million."
He paused to think over the ways and means, and a cunning smile deepened on his face, as he gradually made up his mind.