``He does not,'' the General assured him, eagerly, dragging his
chair a little closer.

``Suppose now that Mr. Langham were to put fifty or let us say
sixty thousand dollars to your account in the Valencia Bank, do
you think this vote of want of confidence in the Government on
the question of our concession would still be moved?''

``I am sure it would not,'' exclaimed the leader of the
Opposition, nodding his head violently.

``Sixty thousand dollars,'' repeated Clay, slowly, ``for
yourself; and do you think, General, that were you paid that sum
you would be able to call off your friends, or would they make a
demand for stock also?''

``Have no anxiety at all, they do just what I say,'' returned
Mendoza, in an eager whisper. ``If I say `It is all right, I am
satisfied with what the Government has done in my absence,' it is
enough. And I will say it, I give you the word of a soldier, I
will say it. I will not move a vote of want of confidence on
Tuesday. You need go no farther than myself. I am glad that I
am powerful enough to serve you, and if you doubt me''--he struck
his heart and bowed with a deprecatory smile--``you need not pay
in the money in exchange for the stock all at the same time. You
can pay ten thousand this year, and next year ten thousand more
and so on, and so feel confident that I shall have the interests
of the mine always in my heart. Who knows what may not happen in
a year? I may be able to serve you even more. Who knows how
long the present Government will last? But I give you my word of