"Ah, that would be hard to explain to a queen of the Indians," he said. "A trance is not exactly a sleep, for a man may talk and travel and do things, just like other men, when he's in a trance. But when he is himself again, he remembers nothing of all that happened when he was in the trance." "Then you think he was in a trance during those three months when he disappeared from Bogota?" "Yes." "And that he has forgotten all that happened to him in that time?" "Perhaps." "Could he ever remember?" "There is only one way in which he could." "How is that?" "If he could return to the same scenes and conditions through which he passed during those three months." "But for that you would have to know, of course, what those scenes and conditions were?" "Exactly, Senorita." "Really, it is all very interesting," she said dreamily. "I have heard something like it in fairy tales, I think; but not in real life. And now--why do you tell all this to me, Senor?" she asked, as if struck by a novel idea. "Ah, Sajipona," he replied with a smile; "I have told you merely in answer to your own questions. You have shown that--for some reason or other--you are interested." "Interested? Why, of course I am interested--if for no other reason, simply because you are. This David Meudon, you say, left Bogota three years ago? Strange that he should leave so suddenly--and with his work in this country unfinished!" "I can't tell how much you know of David," he said musingly. "But there is every reason why you, more than anyone else, should be interested in the man who attempts to solve the secret of Guatavita--Sajipona." There was no mistaking the emphasis placed on the girl's name; nor was there any disguising the effect its peculiar pronunciation had upon her. Sajipona looked at Raoul in alarm, then turned from him in manifest confusion. Presently, she gave a low laugh and her eyes sought his again. "Ah, you Yankees are strange people," she said. "Some say, you are only money makers. But, it appears, you are more than that; for you listen to foolish legends, like the rest of us--and you believe them." "Yes, I believe this one, Sajipona." "Does the man who so strangely lost his memory by your dynamite explosion believe this one?" she asked laughing. "I don't know. Perhaps he never heard it." "Well, it's very interesting, anyway--I mean, about the trance and the dynamite. I want to hear the end of it. You will surely come again, won't you? And tell me when your friend arrives in Bogota," she added, giving him her hand. "You are ever the queen; you dismiss me from your presence," he complained, taking her hand, nevertheless, and kissing it. "The streets are safe for you now, Senor," she said. "Thanks to you, La Reina!" "Ah, I would do much more for you than that, as you know, Don Raoul!" she exclaimed, an arch smile giving to her beautiful features a rare flash of piquancy. "And now--Adios, Senor!"