"My name is Panfilo Sanchez, senor. Before God, I have done
nothing." The speaker was tremendously excited.

"Well, Panfilo, that will take some proving," the Ranger muttered.

"What do you say?"

The gist of this statement having been repeated in Spanish, both
prisoners burst into clamorous explanation of their presence
together. Panfilo, it seemed, had encountered his companion purely
by chance, and was horrified now to learn that his newly made
friend was wanted by the authorities. In the midst of his
incoherent protestations Mrs. Austin appeared.

"He is telling you the truth, Mr. Law," she said, quietly. "He is
one of my men."

Both Mexicans looked blank. At sight of the speaker their mouths
fell open, and Panfilo ceased his gesticulations.

Mrs. Austin went on: "He is my horse-breaker's cousin. He couldn't
have had any part in that murder in Jim Wells County, for he was
at Las Palmas when I left."

Panfilo recovered from his amazement, removed his sombrero, and
blessed his employer extravagantly; then he turned triumphantly
upon his captor. "Behold!" cried he. "There you have the truth. I
am an excellent, hard-working man and as honest as God."

"Surely you don't want him," Alaire appealed to Law. "He was