room. "I have warned him." There was a quiver of passion and resentment
in his voice. "I have pointed out to him again and again the risks that
he was running not only for himself, but me. Yet for me--me who has
befriended him at the risk of my own life, who has kept him in my cabin
for many months, he has no thought, no gratitude. That all goes to
Seagreave, Seagreave who stole you and who now lies strapped in his bed
unable to help you or José or any one else. Well, let Seagreave save him
now. And how?" his harsh, mirthless laughter rang out. "Yes, how? Does
Seagreave know the secret trails over the mountains? Not he. Then how is
our dear José to escape? Will you engage to get him safely out of Colina
on a railroad train? I think not. Remember there is a big price on his
head."

Pearl had shrunk back from him while he was speaking, both horror and
fright on her face. "But you can't do that for your own sake," she
cried. "It will then be known that you have kept José all these months,
and that it was he who escaped the night I danced. Do you think the
sheriff will forgive you that you lied to him and fooled him? I guess
not. And then you sheltered José and hid him after that. On your own
account you can't let him be taken."

Gallito smiled in unpleasant triumph. "If I should turn state's evidence
for so notorious a criminal as Crop-eared José I should certainly get
immunity myself. I was weak, yes, in my unfortunate desire to reform a
fellow countryman, but finding all my efforts hopeless, I at last saw my
duty and gave him up."

For the moment fear almost overcame Pearl, and then her high spirit
flared. "And you would give poor José up," she said. "I would never have
believed it, and yet I see you really would do it, just to have me obey