"No!" cried Betty.
"Little fool!" muttered Rios. Under his glare she drew back. "Before again such help is offered you you will wish you were dead!"
Outside they heard Zoraida's laughter, low and rich with its music. Then her voice as gay as though there were in all the world no such shadows as those cast by destruction and death. And then she entered, slender and graceful in her elaborate riding suit, her white plume nodding, her eyes dancing, her red mouth triumphant. Behind her came Bruce West.
Kendric stared at him in amazement. For Bruce came of his own free will and his own eyes were shining. There was no sign of his recent distress upon his face. Rather it looked more joyous, more boyish and glad than Kendric had seen it for years. The boy hardly noted anyone in the room but Zoraida. His eyes were for her alone and they were on fire with adoration.
CHAPTER XI
IN WHICH THERE IS MORE THAN ONE LIE TOLD
AND THE TRUTH IS GLIMPSED
"You!" cried Kendric in amazement as his look went swiftly from Bruce's radiant face to Zoraida's and back to Bruce. "With her!"
Young Bruce West advanced eagerly.
"It's been a mistake, Jim," he said earnestly. "A cursed mistake all along the line. When I explain to you——"
"Boy," cut in Kendric sternly, "where's your head? Don't you know that she was one of the crowd raiding you? Have you forgotten all I told you?"