Now there was something in the appearance of this newcomer that set him somewhat apart from the other inmates of the den, and when he spoke his tones were much softer than the voices of the true Apache; but it carried an evil ring.
"The chief will be here within the hour," he said to Georges. "He desires that you have all here before he arrives."
"It shall be done," replied Georges, eying the newcomer with some disfavor because of his pomposity.
The newcomer walked across the room and sat down. As he did so his eyes fell upon Hal and Chester, slouched back in their chairs. Immediately he was on his feet.
"Who are these?" he demanded of Georges. "Their faces are unfamiliar to me."
"Friends of Jean Garnier," replied Georges briefly.
Jean was immediately on his feet and approached the questioner.
"Yes, they are friends of mine," he said, "and, as true Apaches, they love gold better than anything else. What have you to say about it?" and his hand slipped to his belt.
It was plain to Hal and Chester that the man was not frightened by this show of hostility, for he smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh, nothing at all," he said. "What are one or two Apaches more or less?
You are all of the same breed."