The young woman dropped the rifle and threw herself into the man's embrace, and their lips met. He caressed her for a moment, then let her go and she recovered her weapon.
"So, you would not take the chances, eh?" said Captain Joaquin.
"How could I, seeing how cool and determined he looked, and imagining you falling forward with a bullet in your heart—Heavens, no!"
"And yet it was a square deal, the squarest I ever got in my life, Susana. If he had killed me, it would have been a fair game, and I could not have made a kick when I found myself suddenly transported."
The young woman laughed.
"You are not dying yet, though, if I can prevent," she said. "Come, we must see about that treasure."
"We must first see if you killed your man."
"Killed him? He is so dead he will never move again in this world, Joaquin."
"And he can well be spared, for he has been a terror to gentlemen of my calling all his life. Your name will be exalted, my pet. There will be a big price on your head."
"And my Joaquin will defend me."