Dr. Tisco vanished, though he soon reappeared and entered the office.

Don Luis, after indicating seats to the young Americans, crossed
to a ponderous safe, toyed with the combination lock, threw open
the door and then brought out a ledger that he deposited on one
of the flat-top desks. Five minutes later his daughter Francesca
entered the room.

"Now, what part is the girl to play here?" wondered Tom, instantly.
"If I know anything of human nature she's a sweet and honest
girl. She is no rascal, like her father. Yet he has sent for
her to play some part!"




CHAPTER IX

DON LUIS SHOWS HIS CLAWS


Senorita Francesca greeted her guests with extreme courtesy.

"She's a fine young woman," thought Harry, with a guilty feeling.
"Blazes, but it's going to come hard to show her father up as
a scoundrel."

"_Chiquita_," (pet) called her father, "it has not been the custom
of this country to train our women in the ways of business. But
you are my only child. Every _peso_ (dollar) that I earn and