"_If!_" exclaimed the Ranchero; "there are no ifs or ands about it. You
must tell me where it is."

"But what I want to know is, what will you do with me?"

"I promise you, upon the honor of a gentleman, that no harm shall be
done you."

"Gentleman!" sneered Frank. "The State's prison is full of such
gentlemen as you are. If I were trying to rob a man of a few cents, I'd
never think of calling myself a gentleman."

"Now, just look here," said Pierre, "if you think you can fool me, you
were never more mistaken in your life. A few cents, indeed! I heard all
that passed between you and Mr. Brown, and I know that there are twelve
thousand dollars somewhere in that office. I call it a fortune. It is
much more than I could ever earn herding cattle, and I am bound to have
it. Where's that key?"

"You must answer my question first," said Frank. "If you had the key in
your hand now, what would you do with me?"

"Well, as I am not fool enough to give you the least chance for escape,
the first thing I should do would be to tie you hard and fast to that
bed-post. Then I'd take the gold, mount my horse, and be off to the
mountains."

"And leave me tied up here?" exclaimed the prisoner.

"Exactly. Felix, or the housekeeper, would release you in the morning."