"You refuse, do you?"
There was no reply.
"Then rot where you are! When he comes back you will have a companion in your misery."
"When who comes back?"
"Riggs; he will return to die with you. The fool has crossed the sea to fall to pieces in the dungeons of the ranch."
Merle, a minute later, stood once more face to face with Belle Demona.
"You found him?" she said.
"Yes; it is true. There was a plot, and when Riggs comes back we spring the trap on him."
"It shall be done! We must be entirely safe here."
"We shall be."