"Impossible? Why?" Reade demanded.
"On my way back I kept my eyes open," the Mexican explained.
"As a result I discovered who is in these hills about us."
"Who, then?" Harry asked.
"Pedro Gato," Nicolas affirmed solemnly.
"Who?" said Tom. "Oh, Gato? Only he?"
"Only he and some of his worthless, criminal companions," the servant went on, solemnly. "Senor Reade, at no greater distance than this from Don Luis you may be safe from Gato. Yet, if you stroll but a few miles from here Pedro Gato will not so greatly fear the hidalgo. Then Gato will work his own will with you."
"He will, oh?" Tom demanded grimly.
"Of a surety, senor!"
"If I should see Pedro Gato first, he would be likely to come in for another walloping," Tom laughed, dryly.
"But you would not see him, senor. You would hear him only, and
Gato's message would be a bullet."