Bandit Love

"But that does not mean that he renounced me," objected Myra, as Don

Carlos paused again.

"What else does it mean, Myra?" asked Don Carlos. "I told him Cojuelo

is madly in love with you, as I have said, and that if he accepted his

freedom the outlaw would take it as an indication he had given you up.

Yet he is going. True, he talked about organizing a rescue party,

swore he would kill Cojuelo if any harm came to you, and all that sort

of thing, but that was mere empty talk. The whole point is, as I said

in the first place, that he is prepared, in effect, to surrender you to

El Diablo Cojuelo as the price of his own freedom and safety."

"I cannot--I will not--believe it," said Myra firmly, rising to her

feet. "Not until I hear Tony say himself that he is prepared to

renounce me will I believe it. Let me see him."

"As you will," said Don Carlos, rising and putting on his disguise. "I

will take you to him. Let me remind you, however, of your promise not

to reveal the fact that Don Carlos and El Diablo Cojuelo are one and

the same. I hold you to both of your promises--and I have a priest

waiting to marry us. Come!"