"But my secretary doesn't yet know the state of affairs here," continued Mr. Haynes, gravely, "and he doesn't know that we have yet bought the El Sombrero Mine. Therefore, his despatch can't refer to anything else. My private secretary is certainly warning me not to buy El Sombrero Mine until we have further information."
"But you have bought it," cried Don Luis, in a voice pitched rather higher than usual. "You have bought it and have the deed to all this property. The money has been paid, and is now mine, subject to my order."
"Don Luis," continued the American railway president, "I ask you, before all my associates, to consider the matter still open until I can receive further particulars from my private secretary. If there is any good and sound reason why we should not have bought this mine—"
"But you have bought it, paid for it, and the money is mine!" cried Don Luis Montez. "There is no more to be said about it."
"Sir," went on Mr. Haynes, gravely, "there is but one question of fact that can affect the sale. Suppose—I hate to say it, but suppose that the mine is not a rich one, not worth any such price as we paid for it, and that you sold it to us, knowing—"
"The mine is a rich one—one of the richest in Mexico," insisted
Montez, "and you have secured a very great bargain."
"I trust and hope that all that is true," continued Mr. Haynes. "Yet, if such should not be the case, and if we have bought a property under conditions that would make it certain swindle had been perpetrated—"
"Senor!" warned Don Lids, taking a step forward, a deadly light in his eyes. "Be Careful!"
"I am only stating a supposition," resumed Mr. Haynes, coolly. "Don Luis, I believe I have stated enough of that supposition to make it all clear. If that supposition is true, then you would have to buy the mine back from us again."
"Would I?" sneered the Mexican.