"Yes, I've been going to see her," hurried on Phil. "I know I promised; but honest, Bud, I couldn't help it. It just seemed as if my whole being was wrapped up in her, and I had to do it. She'd be looking for me when I came and went--and then I fixed it with her maid to take her a letter. And then I met her secretly, back by the garden gate. You know they've got some holes punched in the wall--loopholed during the fight last summer--and we'd--" "Sure, I'll take your word for that," broke in Hooker harshly. "But get to the point! What are you pinched for?" "Well," went on De Lancey, his voice quavering at the reproof, "I was going to tell you, if you'll listen to me. Somebody saw us there and told Aragon--he shut her up for a punishment and she slipped me out a note. She was lonely, she said. And that night--well, I couldn't stand it--I hired the string band and we went down there in a hack to give her a serenade. But this cad, Manuel del Rey, who has been acting like a jealous ass all along, swooped down on us with a detachment of his _rurales_ and took us all to jail. He let the musicians out the next morning, but I've been here ever since." "Yes, and what are you charged with?" demanded Bud bruskly. "Drunk," confessed Phil, and Bud grunted. "Huh!" he said, "and me out watching that mine night and day!" "Oh, I know I've done you dirt, Bud," wailed De Lancey; "but I didn't mean to, and I'll never do it again." "Never do what?" inquired Bud roughly. "I won't touch another drop of booze as long as I'm in Mexico!" cried Phil. "Not a drop!" "And how about the girl?" continued Bud inexorably. "Her old man was out and tried to jump our mine to-day--how about her?" "Well," faltered De Lancey, "I'll--she--" "You know your promise!" reminded Bud. "Yes; I know. But--oh, Bud, if you knew how loyal I've been to you--if you knew what offers I've resisted--the mine stands in my name, you know." "Well?" "Well, Aragon came around to me last week and said if I'd give him a half interest in it he'd--well, never mind--it was a great temptation. But did I fall for it? Not on your life! I know you, Bud, and I know you're honest--you'd stay by me to the last ditch, and I'll do the same by you. But I'm in love, Bud, and that would make a man forget his promise if he wasn't true as steel." "Yes," commented Hooker dryly. "I don't reckon I can count on you much from now on. Here, take a look at this and see what you make of it." He drew the piece of ore that he had taken from Aragon from his pocket and held it up in the moonlight. "Well, feel of it, then," he said. "Shucks, you ought to know that piece of rock, Phil--it's the first one we found in our mine!" "No!" exclaimed De Lancey, starting back. "Why--where'd you get it?" "Never mind where I got it!" answered Hooker. "The question is: What did you do with it?" "Well, I might as well come through with it," confessed Phil, the last of his assurance gone. "I gave it to Gracia!"