"What makes you think so?" Gilbert wanted to know.
"It is in her eyes—and yours," the Mexican stated. "I shall miss her. She is very beautiful. However, what is one woman between frands?" He laughed a bitter laugh. "You shall have her."
Uncle Henry cried out: "But he can't have her. She's married."
"Ees too bad," said Lopez, nonchalantly. "But nozzing to get excite about."
"Nozzing to get excite about!" mimicked Uncle Henry.
"No. But ees more to be did zan I 'ave sought. But I 'ave promise I shall make you a 'appy man, my frand," again to Gilbert. "Bueno! I keep zat promise. You have gave me your word zat you will not interfere. Is it not so?"
"Yes, but I—" Gilbert hardly knew what to say.
"It is for you to keep zat word as I keep mine," Lopez said. Then, to Uncle Henry he went on, "I shall start wiz you. Now, Pedro!"
"Si," answered the faithful minion of the bandit, stepping forward.
"Remember," his master commanded. "Shoot ze first one which interrup'."