After a time she felt herself shaken, and
heard the colonel addressing her.
"Come, come!" he was saying. "Why don't you answer me?" He dragged
her farther from what was now a roaring furnace. "Where is your
precious brother and that black fellow?"
Rosa could only stare dully.
"It seems we missed them," said Cueto.
"More of your bungling," Cobo broke out at him, wrathfully. "God!
I've a mind to toss you into that fire." He turned his attention
once more to Rosa, and with a jerk that shook her into fuller
consciousness repeated: "Where are they? Speak to me."
"Gone!" she gasped. "Gone!" She struggled weakly toward Cueto,
imploring him, "Pancho, don't you know me?"
"Well, we've taught him a lesson," said Cueto, grinning
apprehensively at Cobo. "We've accomplished something, anyhow,
eh?" He nodded at Rosa. "She's all that I told you. Look at her!"
Colonel Cobo took time to scrutinize his prisoner. He turned her
about in the light from the burning dwelling; then he agreed.
"Yes! She's a pretty little spy--quite a prize, truly. Now then!"
His thick lips spread; he spoke to her more gently. "I want you to
tell me about that brother of yours, eh? Cueto said I would find
him here. Ha! Still frightened, I see. Well, I have a way with
women; I dare say you'll be glad to tell me everything by and by.
Pages:
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146