“Very well,” muttered Hal, stepping into the carriage.
“Ha! Senor Maynard, wait! I must see you!” cried a man, making his way through the crowd.
“Vasquez!” thrilled the boy, recognizing his accoster.
Then, for the first time that day, Hal Maynard turned pale.
CHAPTER II.
JUAN RAMIREZ INTRODUCES HIMSELF.
Senor Vasquez, a middle-aged Spaniard with the air of a prosperous merchant, pushed his way through to the carriage.
The crowd, scenting as if by instinct some new trouble for the boy, made way for the newcomer.
Vasquez’s eyes glittered. He regarded the boy with a look of evil triumph, though his manner, as he stepped into the carriage, was faultlessly diplomatic.
“You will excuse my intrusion?” he begged.
“I shall have to,” was Hal’s cold rejoinder.