“I be no madman, Your Majesty. Never did brain work more clearly or to more certain ends,” replied the man.

“You may trust me, sire,” he whispered.

“The king is dead,” he said. “Long live the king!”

“You don't mean to say, my friend, that they let you get away with all this without sicing the dog on you,” said Bridge.

“Let the King of Lutha,” he said, “be the first to salute Lutha’s queen.”

In another moment the search was on, but no sign of the caveman was to be found, nor of the guardian Terkoz.

“I dunno,” said the chief. “This guy says he knows Byrne well, an' that he's got it in for him. Shall I tell him you'll be down—and split the reward?”

“Now please hurry,” she urged. “I don't want you to be caught—even if you are a murderer. I wish you weren't though.”

And you, my sweet Penelope, out there somewhere you wait for me
With buds of roses in your hair and kisses on your mouth.

“How about that ace-in-the-hole, you were telling me about?” asked Bridge.

“General Pesita wishes Senor Capitan Byrne to report to him at once,” said the man.

And you, my sweet Penelope, out there somewhere you wait for me,
With buds of roses in your hair and kisses on your mouth.

In his pocket was a safe conduct from one of Villa's generals farther south—a safe conduct taken by Pesita from the body of one of his recent victims.

His musings were interrupted by a sweet feminine voice close by. Bridge did not open his eyes at once—he just sat there, listening.

“All right, Eddie, then I'll let you come with me, and you can ride beside me, instead of behind.”

“Jose has another visitor,” he said. “Possibly this one is less harmless than the other. He comes with great caution. Let us investigate.”

“You will need it,” she said. “There is Brazos—take him. God bless and guard you, Billy!” and she was gone.

“Si, senor,” agreed Rozales; “I, too, find it so. Let us go together—I know where the shooting is best.”

“Sorry I can't bury you old man,” was Billy's parting comment, as he climbed over the breastwork and melted into the night.

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