“Heaven is with you!” cried Montaine, feverishly. “The Almighty has sent you to effect my rescue. Oh, Frank, I cannot tell you what I have suffered in the last month.”

“You have my sympathy,” replied Frank, warmly. “And if it lies within my power I mean to wrest you from the power of Miguel Costello.”

“Then you got my message asking for succor?”

“I did.”

“I knew that you would answer it.”

“Of course I would. I can imagine what you have suffered, dear friend. But this fiend—Costello—what was his purpose?”

“Partly revenge, and partly a scheme to defraud me of my legal claim to the mine.”

“Is this the mine?”

“Oh, no; the claim is a richer one and a full two miles from here. This is an old, disused Spanish mine, worked by the early Spaniards.”

“Ah! then this is simply a rendezvous for the greasers?”