"It has returned, little sweetheart. You're well again. You're stronger and handsomer than ever before in all your life. You put me off then, but you can't do it now! I won't let you!"

"You mean that——"

"I mean that when I left Mexico I made a resolve—I swore an oath. If I go back there—if Frank wants me to go—you will go with me."

"Bart!"

"You must go with me," he repeated.

"Must?"

"I have said it. Look here, Elsie, I know you're not jealous of Inza because Merry is rich."

"Oh, no, no!"

"As a rule, I have told you everything, my girl, but I now confess that there is one thing that I have not told you. I have a secret."

"A secret from me?"