"Um! what does that mean,--rather die than go back?" he demanded. "No one has told me why the lady has come to Mesa Blanca, or what she is doing here. I don't see--What the devil ails you?"
For Kit stared at him incredulous, and whistled softly.
"Haven't you got it _yet_?" he asked. "Last night you joked about a girl Marto stole, and we stole from him again. Don't you realize now who that girl is?"
It was the first time he had uttered her name and there was a low terrible note in his voice, half choked by smothered rage.
"But how could Marto,--or why should--" he began and then halted, checked by various conflicting facts, and stared frowningly at Rhodes who again strove to explain that of which he had little knowledge.
"General, I reckon Marto was square to your interests about everything but the woman Perez and Conrad sent north into the desert, and it was Marto's job to see that she never left it alive. Evidently he did not report that extra task to you, for he meant to save the woman for himself. But even at that, General, you've got to give him credit. He says she bewitched him, and he couldn't kill her, and he wouldn't let the others have her. Also he risked a whale of a beating up, and some lead souvenirs, in trying to save her, even if it was for himself. So you see, Marto was only extra human, and is a good man. His heart's about broke to think he failed you, and I'll bet he wouldn't fail you again in a thousand years!"
"Yes, you have the right of that," agreed Rotil. "I did not know; I don't know yet what this means about Perez and--and----"
"None of us do, General," stated Kit. "I heard Valencia say it must be something only a confessor could know,--but it must be rather awful at that! She was started north like an insane criminal, hidden and in chains. She explains nothing, but General, you have now the two men at Soledad who made the plan, and you have here Marto who was their tool--and perhaps--at Soledad--" he paused questioning.
"Sure! that is what will be done," decided Rotil. "See to it, you, after we are gone. Bring Doña Jocasta to Soledad with as much show of respect as can be mustered in a poor land, your girl and Isidro's wife to go along, and any comforts you can find. Yes, that is the best! Some way we will get to the bottom of this well. She must know a lot if they did not dare let her live, and Marto--well, you make a good talk for him, straight too--Marto will go with me. Tell no one anything. Make your own plans. By sunset I will have time for this mystery of the chains of Doña Jocasta. Be there at Soledad by sunset."