Rhoda was bigger and stronger than Nan; but the latter lacked no
courage, and she believed that her friend was so much surprised and
taken aback by the Mexican girl's accusation that she was not
entirely ready to meet the personal assault which the stranger
evidently intended.

"Stop that!" repeated Nan, and she dashed between the two girls.
She laid her hand upon the Mexican's chest and pushed her back.
"You have no right to do this. Don't you know we can have you
arrested by the police?"

"Ha! eet ees the odder Senorita," gasped the Mexican girl. "By
gracious! I see you are fr-r-riends--heh? You know about the
tr-r-reas-ure of the Ranchio Rose--heh?"

"Why, she doesn't know any more what you are talking about than I
do," replied Rhoda Hammond, in wonder.

"This girl," said Nan, "must mean the gold and silver and other
things you said, Rhoda, that the Mexican bandit hid on your
father's ranch somewhere."

"Lobarto!" murmured Rhoda.

"Dhat ees eet!" cried the Mexican girl. "Lobarto, dhe r-r-robber.
Lobarto, dhe slayer of women and chil'ren! Ah! The fiend!" and the
excited girl's eyes blazed again.

"But what has that to do with Rhoda and her father? I am sure you
know very well that Mr. Hammond could not help that bad Mexican