There was a deep silence; at last the captain determined to fire the train, if he were blown up. "Then you think I must go by land," he said. "There is no choice," responded Hebrard. "The conditions?" remarked Tom. "One hundred thousand francs, not in notes, but in golden ounces, stamped with the effigy of the King of Spain." "That is tolerable, for a beginning." "Then there will be as much more for the negotiations, or, as I see you hesitate, at first one hundred and fifty thousand." "Why at first?" asked Tom. "Because your mission will be divided into two distinct parts," replied the envoy, quietly. "Let us thoroughly understand the first," continued the outlaw; "we will talk of the second presently." "Another hundred thousand on your return with despatches," continued the diplomatist, warmly. "Hum!" said Tom; "That makes--" "Three hundred and fifty thousand francs (£14,000) for only the first part of your mission," said Hebrard. "It is very liberal. Now for the second mission," said Tom Mitchell, watching the diplomatist with his wary eye. He knew that the real thing was coming now; he was satisfied of this from the other's uneasy manner. "Hum!" said M. Hebrard, as if speaking to himself; "Three hundred and fifty thousand francs is a pretty sum." "Well, for the first part of the mission which you have explained to me I don't say no. It is," he added, "a tough job, that I know. Still, nothing risk, nothing have. Now for the second part." The diplomatist assumed an air of genial frankness that made the outlaw shudder. He was at once on his guard. "The Spaniards, as I have said," observed M. Hebrard, jauntily, "are forever on the watch. No one, no matter what his position, is safe on the frontiers. To go in or out is simply impossible." "Diable!" cried Tom; "What you say is not calculated to give me much confidence or hope." "Excuse me, monsieur," said Hebrard, "we are playing a frank and open game, I do not desire in any way to conceal the dangers that may await you. I am only speaking in a general kind of way, certain that whatever obstacles occur you will be right." All this was verbiage; M. Hebrard was evidently only trying some method of putting his real thoughts into words. The outlaw, who expected what was coming, smiled. "Unfortunately," said the diplomatist, who did not know what to say, "the real danger is not on the other side." The outlaw started up. "You may well be surprised; the danger is here." "What do you mean?" cried the outlaw. "I will explain myself, if you will allow me. Of course," said M. Hebrard, "the Spaniards are no more fools than we are." "I was always of that opinion." "They have started a countermine!" "A countermine!" cried Tom. "What do you mean?" "You will soon see. Knowing something of our designs, they have covered the American frontiers with spies." "It is certainly very clever," said the outlaw.