"Why—the idea's ridiculous!"
"Maybe it is and maybe it ain't," the fortune-teller persisted. "More than one rich Mexican has been grabbed and held for ransom along this river; yes, and Americans, too, if you can believe the stories. Anything goes in that country over there."
"You think José is planning to kidnap her? Nonsense! One man couldn't do such a thing."
"I didn't say he could," Phil defended himself, sulkily. "Remember, I told you there was somebody back of him."
"Yes, I remember, but you didn't know exactly who."
"Well, I don't exactly know yet. I thought maybe you might tell me."
There was a brief silence, during which Dave stood frowning. Then he appeared to shake himself free from Phil's suggestions.
"It's too utterly preposterous. Mrs. Austin has no enemies; she's a person of importance. If by any chance she disappeared—"
"She's done that very little thing," Strange declared.
"What?"