“I am very glad it happened so, even if I had not succeeded in interesting Señor Crossgrove. I am very happy, for it has been a delightful cruise, and I have met you—you! Pardon, señorita; I can’t help it! I tell you frankly that I always speak what comes into my heart. I can’t repress it. I can’t hold it in check. I am very, very sorry you ever met Señor Merriwell. Wait, señorita; I know it’s now too late for me to speak. My tongue must forever remain silent. Some day when I form the syndicate in which many rich men are now interested—some day when I have taken possession of all my land and my mines—some day when the railroad we shall build runs through my property I will be a very rich man. In that time, señorita, it would give me untold pleasure to have one like you to share my success and my riches. Ah! even wealth will not give me perfect happiness without that one. When I think of that my heart is heavy and sad. When I think that in a few days more we must part, perhaps never to meet again, there are tears in my eyes.” Inza did not attempt to repress a laugh. “Señor del Norte,” she said, “you will meet some one ready enough to share your wealth with you. The American girl is looking out for the main chance. Just convince her that you have the money and she’s yours—or, rather, you will be hers, for she generally proposes to take charge of affairs.” “You can’t make me believe, señorita, that you have so little romance in you,” he protested. “Do you not feel it—does not the night thrill you? And is it possible you have no regret because we are to part so soon? Ah, well! I will simply smile, though my heart is torn with anguish. I will try to hide my secret, but now—now let me say—_adios_!” Ere she suspected his purpose he had seized her hand and pressed it to his burning lips. Instantly she sprang erect. “Señor del Norte, you are impudent!” she exclaimed. “If Frank were here——” “He is here,” said a quiet voice as Frank Merriwell himself stepped forward. So interested had Del Norte become in Inza, and so interested had she been in his story, that neither of them had observed the approach of the little boat that brought Frank back to the yacht. As they were sitting on the port side, and he came aboard on the starboard side, neither of them became aware of his presence until he spoke. For a single instant Porfias del Norte seemed startled. Then he bowed with courtly grace, his guitar in his left hand, saying: “At last you have returned, Señor Merriwell. The señorita was lonely without you, and I sought to interest her with music, song, and chat.” Inza felt that Frank heartily disliked Del Norte, and she saw in Merry’s manner a trace of suspicion and doubt. He glanced searchingly at her, and then once more turned to survey the suave, smiling Mexican. “You’re a very interesting person, Señor del Norte,” he said, in a cold tone of voice. “From what I have seen of you I fancy you are a great admirer of the ladies.”