I can reach across the Rio Grande."
Amazement and then fear were depicted in Jose's face as he
listened; he asserted his loyalty vehemently.
"Yes, yes, I know you love me," the general agreed, carelessly.
"But what is far more to the point, I intend to pay well for your
services. Perhaps I shall also arrange so that you may have a
reckoning with the murderer of your cousin. What is his name?"
It was Jose's opportunity to make an impression, and he used it to
the full, telling all that he knew of the killing of Panfilo, and
describing Law with the eloquence of hatred.
Longorio listened for a time, and then held up his hand. "Enough.
For my sake, too, you shall kill him, for you have made me
jealous."
"Impossible!" Jose raised protesting palms. He was sure the
general was wrong. Senora Austin was above suspicion of any kind.
"And yet this man met her in Pueblo and rode with her to Las
Palmas? He comes to see her frequently, you say?" The general bent
his bright, keen eyes upon the visitor.
"Yes. She gave him the finest horse at Las Palmas, too, and--" A
new thought presented itself to Jose. "Ho! By the way, they were
alone at the water-hole when my cousin Panfilo was shot.
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