together in Siberia; but, strange to say, I hadn't heard of his death."

"Judging by all the nice things I heard about him in El Toro, his death
was a genuine loss to his section of the country. Everybody appears to
have known him and loved him."

"One has to die before his virtues are apparent to some people," Farrel
murmured philosophically. "And now that Don Mike Farrel is dead, you
hope to acquire Panchito, eh?"

"I'll be broken-hearted if I cannot."

"He'll cost you a lot of money."

"He's worth a lot of money."

He gazed at her very solemnly.

"I am aware that what I am about to say is but poor return for your
sweet courtesy, but I feel that you might as well begin now to abandon
all hope of ever owning Panchito."

"Why?"

"I--I hate to tell you this, but the fact is--I'm going to acquire him."

She shook, her head and smiled at him--the superior smile of one quite
conscious of her strength.

"He is to be sold at public auction," she informed him. "And the man