"In what direction is the smelter?"
Don Luis pointed.
"Straight ahead, as I am showing you," he added.
"We saw the lights of a train last night," Tom went on. "I judged that the mule-train came from the mines above. Yet the mule-train did not follow the direction that you have just shown me. The road runs crooked, I take it."
"Oh, yes," nodded their host, as carelessly as Tom had spoken.
"Do the other mines pay as well as El Sombrero?"
"Oh, no, Senor Tomaso," Montez replied quickly. "The other mines yield not anywhere near as rich ore as comes from El Sombrero."
"Are you going to take us to see the other mines?" Tom hinted.
"Gladly would I do so, Senor Tomaso, only I am not on good terms with the owners."
"I'm sorry," Tom sighed. "While we are here I wish that we could see much of Mexican mines. Nevertheless, when we are through here I have no doubt that you can give us letters to other mine owners."