“Not always—not when cleverly done,” retorted Del Norte. “Thousands of murders have remained a mystery for all time. It’s only the fools and bunglers who are caught. They are in the vast majority, and therefore it comes that most people believe murder can’t be concealed. Let a man of brains commit the deed, and in almost every instance he covers his tracks so beautifully, so completely, that the mystery remains unsolved forever. In most cases, you know, a murder proclaims it is such upon its face. When it can be made to look like suicide or accident, then suspicions are lulled and investigations are lax. Don’t worry about me, Señor Hagan. I am altogether too wise to be caught. You have proposed to me a plan of securing certain papers. How much easier this plan may be carried out if the possessor of those papers should meet with a sudden and terrible death! It would create consternation among his companions and friends. For the time being they would think of nothing else. His valuables would be forgotten. If the desired papers were removed they would not be missed for some time. Ah! you see, Señor Hagan—you see?” “By the sod of old Erin, I see that you’re one of the slickest devils I have ever had the luck to encounter! Why, you talk of murders with a ring of music in your voice. You smile as sweetly as a child when you discuss such things. Look here, Del Norte, if the time ever comes when I think you have anything against me, confound your soul! I will not wait for you to get at me, but I will shoot you in cold blood. I will take no chances with you unless I am plumb anxious to die.” Again the Mexican laughed softly. “That time will never come, Señor Hagan. There should be no cause for it, so do not worry. Leave everything to me. You are anxious to secure those papers, and I promise you we will have them before two more days have passed. With Merriwell himself out of the way, all our troubles will be ended. His mine shall become ours. I will make you rich, my Irish comrade. You shall be what they now call a money king.” Then, strangely enough, following close the look of anticipated triumph on Del Norte’s face came a shadow of sadness that was softly pathetic. The corners of his mouth drooped a little, and there seemed to be a faint mist in his dark eyes. “But I,” he murmured—“though I possess millions I shall never be satisfied unless some day I claim as my own the beautiful Señorita Inza.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXVI CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN. Early that afternoon two parties from the _Sachem_ started for the top of Mount Battie. One party, including Mrs. Crossgrove and the captain’s daughter, decided to make the ascent by teams. It was Inza who proposed to Frank and Frank’s friends that they should take the footpath up the southern side of the mountain.