This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1890 Excerpt: ... quires time to arrange a plot such as you suspect; and what time had he?" "You spent the night at a ranch which belongs to Aranda. The matter might easily have been arranged there. I do not say it was; but it might have been. It certainly offered him an admirable opportunity to achieve a double revenge,--to punish you, and throw a stigma on Barrera which he may never be able to disprove." "But it shall be disproved 1" said Derwent, whose indignation grew, as the idea seemed to him more and more probable. "If Fernandez is accountable for this thing, I will follow the trail like a bloodhound until I fasten it on him. Certainly his neglect in failing to return for me is very suspicious. He has been here, I know. How did he explain that?" "Oh, plausibly enough: he is always plausible, you know. They were in haste to reach Eitzatlan by night, and so they pressed on, thinking you were behind. It was only when dark was closing in--andx there had been time for you to die comfortably on the mountain-side--that a mozo was sent back to look for you. fie found your mule loose on the road, and presently met my messenger on his way to obtain a dector and report to the authorities what had occurred." Derwent smiled slightly. "I certainly owe no thanks to Sefior Fernandez for my present safety," he said. "I shall be very glad if you will show me some way by which this affair may be thoroughly sifted. I am more than ever anxious now to know to whom I am indebted for this"--he touched his shoulder. "It is a difficult affair to sift," said the other, thoughtfully. "I will, however, see Barrera and get him to come and talk to you. Something in the way of a clue may be elicited. It is unfortunate that his enmity to Fernandez with regard to the Buena Esperanza is well known; and...