quietly.

"I mean that I shall put you at work and find out what you can do,"
leered the mine manager.

"Mistake number one!" rejoined Tom coolly. "I do not understand that
you have any authority to give us orders."

"You shall soon learn, then!" growled the man. "I am the mine
manager here."

"And we are the engineers about to be placed in charge," Tom continued.
"If we stay, Gato, you will assist us in all ways that you can.
Then, when you have received our instructions you will carry them
out according to the best of your ability."

The two looked each other sternly in the eyes, Pedro Gato appearing
as though he enjoyed young Americans better than any other food in
the world. Indeed, he might have been expected to eat one of them
right then and there.

Behind a shade in the office building Dr. Tisco stirred uneasily.

"What did I say to you, Don Luis?" inquired the secretary. "Did
I not suggest that these Gringos would not be easily controlled?"

"Wait!" advised Don Luis Montez. "Wait! You have not yet seen what
my Gato will do. He is not a baby."

"These Gringos will balk at every hour of the day and night,"