Daughter of the Sun

AN'S ORDE

ND OF THE

finest pure bred Arabian of his stud, the royal favorite, the white queen-rose of his costly gardens. From the mare he looked to the rider, not so much as a man may regard a woman but as he must pay tribute to animal perfection. He told himself that as a woman Zoraida Castelmar displeased him; that there was no place in his fancies for the bold eyes of an adventuress. But he deemed a man might look upon her as impersonally as upon the white mare, giving credit where

and, as always, a shadowy hint of mockery. Suddenly she turned from him and put out her gauntleted hand to Barlow, fla

l not forget and you will not regret!" Even while she spoke he

aid nothing and Barlow, intent upon t

ly, her tone filled with defiant warning. "Remember that, Se?or el Capitan. You will escort

it to her lips, blew a long clear note and with a last sidelong look

said Escobar stiffly.

ce, and rode through the wide arched gateway. Barlow tur

ld we establish ourselves here instead of going on about our business? By

ything, Jim," said

scobar smiled

adobe. "Judge if it be wise to hesita

tant, then slowly filling as from about a far corner of the house came a line of men. Young men, every one of them, fine-looking, dark-skinned fellows dressed after the extravagant fashion of the land which mothered them, wi

r as a guest?"

s anger

ke the cut of your sunny disposition. You and I are not going to mix well, and you may

and half veiled his insolen

ur 'Queen Lady' as you call her, has instru

k surprise. "El Americano

n' a rumpus? Suppose you weeded out half of 'em, the other half would get you right.

-looking lot of devils like those saturnine henchmen of Zoraida, it would at least be a scrimmage worth a man's

into the thick walls of the shaded building. The three men dismounted; three of the men in the driveway took the horses. Escobar stepped to the broad double door directly in

wide hallway. Down this for a long way, past a dozen doors at each hand and finally into a suite looking out into the gardens from a corner of the building. As they went in, tw

dy you will ring and a servant will show you to the patio, where I will be w

chairs, a mahogany table, cigars, smoking trays, cigarets, a bottle of brandy and one of fine red wine standing forth hospitably. Through one door

glance. Then Kendric turne

r the sort of man to name pardner and friend. For half a dozen years, howev

u mean?" as

means a man that turns off every card from the top, straight as they come. A man that

corked the brandy bottle and

nd what she said

t and oth

me were comin' to a place, lookin' for treasure, that was right

n't think

s why I didn

omised her-

at you'd be comin' along with me." He finishe

e gardens. The string of men who had appeared at Zoraida's whistle, were

at you do is up to you. Only, if you can't play the game straight with me, our

l but infinitely profligate of promise. He fancied that Ruiz Rios was boiling inwardly with rage; the thought delighted him. His old zest flooded back f

d Escobar, talking quietly. Both men rose as they appeared, offering chairs. Both were all that was courteous and yet it needed no guessing to understa

absolutely the Queen Lady. Wonder how she works it? Wou

year. It became clear that Zoraida was the sole owner of several thousand fair acres here and that Ruiz Rios stood in the position of general manager to his cousin. That he envied h

will, is it not so, amigo Rios?" And Ruiz flashed a

tezuma, isn't it?" put in Ke

" said Rios lightly.

ased and accounted to none. Two tall fellows, looking pure-bred Yaqui Indians, served perfectly, soft voiced, softer footed, stony eyed. During the meal Kendric fell into the way of chatting with young Escobar, seeking to draw him out and failing, while Barlow and Rios talked together, Rios regarding Barlow intently. When they rose from table Barlow accepted an invitation from Rios

me a moment, se?or?"

untain and disappeared. On the instant on

she said, looking

e demanded

and shook

ied. "Will el se?or America

self, "Why not?" He was playing the other fellow's game an

he said. "I