"He has gone to Fortuna," he said, wiping his face with the bath-towel which he wore about his neck.
"And what for?" demanded Bud imperatively.
"I don't know, _señor_," writhed Mendez. "I brought him a letter."
"I don't know--it was given to me by Juana, the servant of the Señorita Aragon."
"Ah!" breathed Bud, and pretended not to be surprised.
"Well, let 'im go!" he said to himself, and went back into the mine. It was what he had expected in a way, and his code bade him keep his hands off. But the next morning, when the evil was either avoided or done, he thrust his rifle into its sling and started for the town. At the jail he halted and gazed in through the windows--then he rode up to the hotel and asked for Phil.
"What? Have you not heard?" clamored Don Juan. "Ah, it is most unfortunate--I would not have had it happen for the world!"
"Why, the quarrel--the encounter with Capitan del Rey! I did my best, I assure you, to prevent it, for the town has been put under martial law and the captain is in full charge. They quarreled over the favor of a lady, and now your friend is in jail."
"I didn't see him when I come by," observed Hooker.
"Ah, no--not in the _cárcel_--in the _cuartel_, the guard-house of the _rurales_!"
"Much obliged!" nodded Bud, and rode on through the town. The street of the Mexican quarter was filled with strange people hurrying to and fro; long pack-trains loaded with trunks and curious bundles came swinging up from below; and a pair of _rurales_, looking fierce under their huge sombreros stood guard by the _cuartel_ door.
"Where is the _capitan_?" demanded Hooker. After requesting him to hang his pistol-belt on his saddle-horn, a sergeant showed him in to the chief.
Manuel del Rey was very busy with papers and orders, but as the American appeared in the doorway he rose and greeted him with a bow.
"Ah, good morning, _señor_," he said, with one swift glance to read his mood. "You are in search of your friend--no?"
"Sí, _señor_," answered Hooker, but with none of the animosity which the captain had expected. "Where is he?"
"I regret very much," began the officer, speaking with military formality, "but it is my duty to inform you that the Señor De Lancey has left Fortuna. Last night he did me the honor to enlist in my company of _rurales_--he is now on his way to the north to assist in guarding the railroad."