White Gazelle smiled.
"Perhaps so," she said; "I too have allies, and I will tell you who they are, if you wish to know, caballero."
"Pray tell me, for really your calmness and confidence startle me."
"Thanks, caballero, for the interest you feel for me; the first ally on whom I build is yourself."
"That is true," the hunter said with a bow; "if my feelings toward you did not promote the alliance, my duty and self-interest would command it. And can you tell me the name of the other?"
"Certainly, the more so as you know him: the other is Bloodson."
Valentine gave a start of surprise, which he immediately checked.
"Pardon me," he said politely; "but you really have the privilege of surprising me inordinately."
"How so, caballero?"
"Because I fancied that Bloodson was one of your most bitter enemies."