Frank sat down at the table, feeling the revolver in the side pocket of his coat.
The other man did not attempt to make any conversation.
In a few minutes the one who had ascended the stairs reappeared.
"Señor Mazaro will soon be down," he announced.
Then he sat at the table, and resumed conversation with his companion, speaking in Spanish, and not even seeming to hear the "thank you" from Frank.
It was not long before Mazaro appeared, and he came forward without hesitation, smiling serenely, as if delighted to see the boy.
"Oh, señor!" he cried, "yo' be not harm in de scrape what we run into?"
"I was not harmed, no, thanks to you, Mazaro," said the boy, coolly. "It is a wonder that I came out with a whole skin."
"Señor, you do not blame me fo' dat? I deed not know-a it—I deed not know-a de robbares were there."
"Mazaro, you are a very good liar, but it will not work with me."