But the Mexican was down on his knees. His hands were raised in mute appeal. His teeth' chattered like the busy heels of a clog dancer.
"No, no, senor. Santa Maria, no, no!" he begged.
"It's entirely up to you," was the cold response. "Now will you do as I say?"
"Yes, yes. A thousand times yes, senor. Anything you say— anything."
"I thought so," rejoined Bellew grimly. He turned with a look of triumph to the two silent spectators of the scene, who nodded smilingly. The Mexican's pitiful agitation seemed only to amuse those callous hearts.
"You will travel, as I said, with these gringos," pursued Bellew, "and glean all the information you can. Then, when you have found out all about where they mean to go, and how long they mean to stay and so on, you will find an opportunity to drop out of their company."
"Si senor," quavered the man, "and then—"
"And then you will be met by us. We shall take care of you."
"But Senor Bell and the senoritas?"
"We will take care of them, too," was the grim response.