chum when he could do so privately.

"A fine-looking girl," Reade answered briefly. "But I fear she
would be highly offended if she knew that, all through dinner,
my every thought was on the mine and the problems that we shall
find there."

"I want to talk with you about that mine, and about some impressions
that I have formed here," murmured Hazelton.

"Then another time, my dear fellow, for here comes Don Luis, and
I see Dr. Tisco returning from the garden."

That forestalled conversation for the time being. When the young
engineers, still relentlessly attended by Nicolas, sought their
own rooms Hazelton was so drowsy that he undressed hurriedly and
dropped into bed.

Later in the night Harry sat up suddenly in the dark. Some one
was moving in the parlor that separated the two bedrooms. An
instant after awakening Harry slipped off the bed, then stole
toward the next room.

In the darkness he made out a moving figure. Like a panther Harry
sprang, landing on the all but invisible figure.

"Now, I've got you!" Hazelton hissed, wrapping his arms around
the prowler.

"And small credit to you," drawled Tom's dry voice. "Hist!"