"You were seeking me over here?"
"Why not? Did you not yourself come to Mexico to find me?"
"Yes; but how did you learn the fact?"
Valentine smiled.
"There is nothing extraordinary in it. If you wish it, I will prove to you in a few words that I am much better informed than you suppose, and that I know nearly all that has happened to you since our separation at the hacienda of the Paloma."
"That is strange."
"Why so? About three months ago were you not at the Hacienda del Milagro?"
"I was."
"You left it after spending some days there on your return from a journey you had undertaken to the far west, in search of a rich auriferous placer?"
"It is true."