["Señor Ballar', I have biffo' to-day killed a man for that he spik to me like-a-that!"]

[The muscles of his face were twitching, and he was breathing hard, like a spent runner.]

["There is my notion—and a striking example of Mexican fair play."]


THE KING OF ARCADIA


I

THE CRYPTOGRAM

The strenuous rush of the day of suddenly changed plans was over, and with Gardiner, the assistant professor of geology, to bid him God-speed, Ballard had got as far as the track platform gates of the Boston & Albany Station when Lassley's telegram, like a detaining hand stretched forth out of the invisible, brought him to a stand.

He read it, with a little frown of perplexity sobering his strong, enthusiastic face.