"I have heard of Miss Gordon," he said coolly. "She is also known as Pansy Blossom, I believe, over in Sonora." Kendric failed to understand and looked to Betty. Her eyes widened. Then her cheeks crimsoned. "Oh!" she gasped. "Mr. West, what do you mean? I have heard of her, everyone has. She is the most terrible creature!" She shuddered. "What made you say that?" Bruce laughed his disbelief of her words and attitude. "Jim, here, doesn't seem to remember," he said brusquely. "If you'd been down in Sonora lately, Jim, you'd know all about Pansy Blossom. She sings rather well, I hear, and dances. It would seem that she has the makings of a highly successful actress," he concluded meaningly. Kendric stared at him. "You mean that Betty Gordon here is some sort of an adventuress?" he demanded. For answer Bruce shrugged elaborately and returned Kendric's stare. Jim looked to Betty again. Her face was stamped in the image of shocked amazement, she scarcely breathed through her slightly parted lips. "You're talking nonsense, Bruce," Jim said emphatically. "Sheer rot. She's just Betty Gordon and in a peck of trouble. It's up to you and me, being countrymen of hers, to see her through instead of hurting her feelings." Bruce regarded him somberly. "Old Headlong," he said slowly, "you're just the man to mistake a woman. You've judged Zoraida Castelmar wrong; you're making a mistake with Miss Pansy Blossom." "You fool!" cried Jim angrily. "Where the devil have your wits gone? You call this child an adventuress? Why, man alive, can't you see she's just baby?" "Pansy Blossom's record----" began Bruce. "Deuce take Pansy Blossom! We're talking about Betty Gordon, this poor little lost kid here. Who told you that she was the same as that dancing woman?" Bruce made no answer. "Was it Zoraida Castelmar?" demanded Kendric. "Tell me. Is that what Zoraida Castelmar had to say about her?" "Well?" challenged Bruce. "Suppose it was?" "What else did she tell you?" Jim had him by the arm now and his eyes were blazing. "Spit it out, boy. What other rot?" "It's not rot, Jim. If you'll keep your eyes open and think a little you'll know as much as I know." Kendric groaned. "There's a game on foot that has a bad look to it. Escobar is in it and Rios and--your young lady friend. If you'll give me a few minutes presently, I'll explain." "Escobar and Betty Gordon! Why, there's nothing between them but fear and hatred. Or rather that's all there was; Escobar's lying dead out there now. Ruiz Rios plugged him square through the heart just now. And now he's taking _your_ lady friend out to tell her about it! Betty is their captive, held for ransom, as I told you."