“It has been established a certain fact, I believe.”
“Indeed! I should like to see that claim.”
Frank was silent a moment.
There was a question uppermost in his mind which he desired strongly to ask the other.
But he was in doubt as to the safety of doing it.
Finally, after the conversation had turned upon different topics, he ventured to say:
“Pardon me, senor, but is there in these parts a man named Miguel Costello?”
The ranchero gave a start.
An odd, startled light came into his eyes. But he evinced trepidation only a moment.
“Si, senor,” he replied; “I have heard of him.”