"I wonder what has kept the little fellow so long," Tom murmured. But he turned away with an appearance of listlessness, for, if he were observed, he did not care to have a watcher note his interest in the servant's coming.
So Nicolas passed on toward the tents without having observed Reade.
"I won't get back too soon," Tom decided. "If we are watched at all it wouldn't do to have me appear too much interested in the peon's doings."
Now that his mind was somewhat easier, Tom strolled on once more. His roundabout path took him along among the rocks that littered the ground over the principal tunnels of El Sombrero. Hundreds of feet beneath him now toiled some of the peons who lived in the village of huts yonder.
Presently Reade increased his speed considerably, deciding that now it would be safe to return directly to camp. Suddenly he stopped short, head up, his gaze directed at the tops of three or four rocks. Some human being had just dodged out of sight at that point.
Tom felt a swift though brief chill. Something had made him suspect that the prowler might be Gato, or one of the latter's companions.
Instead of running away Tom made for the place of hiding in short leaps.
"Hold on there a minute, my friend," Tom called in Spanish. "I think it may be worth my while to look you over."
Just as Reade was ready to bound over the rocks a figure rose as though to meet him. A light leap landed Reade on top of the stranger, who was borne to earth.
"Mercy senor!" begged the other. "Do not be rough with me. I am not strong enough to stand it."