mortgage on the old house and garden, and the lands I bought of Don
Caesar, outside the mine, will screen you."

"If that pleases you," said the old man, with a smile, "have your
way; and if I tear up the note, it does not concern you."

It did please the distinguished capitalist of Rough-and-Ready; for
the next few days his face wore a brightened expression, and he
seemed to have recovered his old tranquillity. There was, in fact,
a slight touch of consequence in his manner, the first ostentation
he had ever indulged in, when he was informed one morning at his
private office that Don Caesar Alvarado was in the counting-house,
desiring a few moments' conference. "Tell him to come in," said
Mulrady, shortly. The door opened upon Don Caesar--erect, sallow,
and grave. Mulrady had not seen him since his return from Europe,
and even his inexperienced eyes were struck with the undeniable
ease and grace with which the young Spanish-American had
assimilated the style and fashion of an older civilization. It
seemed rather as if he had returned to a familiar condition than
adopted a new one.

"Take a cheer," said Mulrady.

The young man looked at Slinn with quietly persistent significance.

"You can talk all the same," said Mulrady, accepting the
significance. "He's my private secretary."

"It seems that for that reason we might choose another moment for
our conversation," returned Don Caesar, haughtily. "Do I