"Jose Sanchez confessed to
the murder of Mr. Austin, and told how you had got Mrs. Austin to
come here. The whole thing is known in Washington and Mexico City
by this time. The newspapers have it; everybody knows you are
keeping her as your prisoner, and that I have come for her. If she
is harmed, all Mexico, all the world, will know that you are worse
than a murderer."
Longorio reached behind his back and slammed the door in the faces
of his listening men.
"What is this? What did Jose confess?" he inquired, sharply.
"He swears you hired him."
"Bah! The word of a pelador."
In spite of the man's contemptuous tone Dave saw the expression in
his face and made a quick decision. "There's a limit to what you
dare to do, Longorio. I'm unarmed; I make no resistance, so there
is no excuse for violence. I surrender to you, and claim
protection for myself and my wife."
But Longorio was not to be tricked. "Good!" he cried,
triumphantly. "I have been looking forward to something like this,
and I shall give myself a great pleasure." He laid a hand upon the
doorknob, but before he could turn it the Catholic priest had him
by the arm, and with a strength surprising in one of his stature
wrenched him away.
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