They had met in Callao and fraternized. As it chanced both were from New York.
Harding was in love with a young lady of good family in York.
He carried Mabel Dane’s picture with him, and in an unsuspecting moment showed it to Vane.
The latter, a fellow of fiery impulse, at once fell in love with the portrait, and instinctively became jealous of Harding.
In the blackness of his heart he was resolved to cut his friend out and win the girl whom he had never seen as his own.
Harding never suspected him.
He took a fancy to Vane and confided to him a valuable secret.
This was the supposed location of an Incas treasure far up in the Andes. Arrangements were quickly made, and the two men set out with the purpose of securing the treasure.
For weeks they wandered about through the wilds.
Then success crowned their efforts.