Paloma Jones followed as if
in a trance.
Longorio's bright eyes took a swift inventory of his surroundings;
then he sighed luxuriously.
"How fine!" said he. "How beautiful! A nest for a bird of
paradise!"
"Don't you consider this rather a mad adventure?" Alaire insisted.
"Suppose it should become known that you crossed the river?"
Longorio snapped his fingers. "I answer to no one; I am supreme.
But your interest warms my heart; it thrills me to think you care
for my safety. Thus am I repaid for my days of misery."
"You surely did not"--Paloma swallowed hard--"come alone?"
"No. I have a duty to my country. I said, 'Luis, you are a brave
man, and fear is a stranger to you, but, nevertheless, you must
have regard for the Fatherland'; so I took measures to protect
myself in case of eventualities."
"How?"
"By bringing with me some of my troopers. Oh, they are peaceable
fellows!" he declared, quickly; "and they are doubtless enjoying
themselves with our friend and sympathizer, Morales."
"Where?" asked Alaire.
"I left them at your pumping-plant, senora." Paloma Jones sat down
heavily in the nearest chair. "But you need have no uneasiness.
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