A rare host at table was Don Luis Montez. He possessed the manner,
even if not the soul, of a great nobleman.

His daughter, Francesca, reputed to be a beauty, did not appear
at table. So far the young engineers had not met her. They would
be presented, however, within a day or two, after the Mexican
custom, for Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton were to be guests in
the white palace during their residence in this part of Mexico.

Dr. Tisco, too, tried to be most entertaining, and succeeded.

"You are the surgeon at the mine?" Harry ventured.

"A _medico_?" suggested Dr. Tisco, with a bow of humility. "Ah,
no, senor, I have not that honor. I am a doctor of philosophy,
not of medicine."

"Then you may be a scientific expert," Harry hazarded. "You are
the expert here at the mine?"

"Not so," broke in Don Luis, gently. "It is true that Carlos has
some knowledge of chemistry, but he is not a mining expert. He is
my secretary, my man of affairs."

"Oh, really the manager of the mine, then?" pursued Harry. "Pardon
me if I ask too many questions. I do not mean to be impertinent.
But, as we are going to work here I wish to know who's who is
Senor Montez' representative."