“You don’t cry loud like that for nothin’,” returned the outlaw. “You don’t get scared so for nothin’.”
For some time the girl, by refusing to answer or by giving evasive answers to his questions, tried to keep from telling him what the Lizard had proposed. But Sonora Jack, with persistent and cunning questions, with adroit suggestions and bold assertions, drew from her, little by little, the truth.
Then the outlaw faced the cringing Lizard.
“So you think you play a game with Sonora Jack, heh? Don’t I tell you how the Señorita is worth so much gold to me that she must be guarded with great care? What am I goin’ to do now? You’re traitor to me. I no can trust you this much while I’m gone such a little way to watch the trail. ’Fore we get to the border there’s goin’ to be plenty chances for you to betray me. I ain’t goin’ to be safe with you, even in Mexico. Come—the Señorita must not again be scared. Come! You an’ me we take a little walk over there behind that hill.”
Grasping the Lizard’s arm, he forced the frightened creature to accompany him.
The terrified girl, watching, saw them disappear over the low ridge.
Trembling, she listened.
There was no sound.
Presently she saw the outlaw coming back over the hill.
Sonora Jack was alone.