"You've killed him!" His voice was
husky.
"I 'ave. Most enjoyishly!" said Lopez, lighting a cigarette.
Gilbert went over and stared down at the mute frame. "He's dead," he
announced. "Completely. Pedro never misses," was the bandit's only
comment.
"But to kill a man--like that! In cold blood!" Hardy gasped. "Oh, it's
horrible!"
"Why not?" Lopez wanted to know. "Ze skindler, ze coward what beat his
wife. Was evil man." What white-livered folk these Americans were!
Gilbert looked down at Pell's body, which had now, in death, a certain
curious dignity. "But don't you see what you've done?"
Lopez looked at him in bland amazement. "You wouldn't still fool around wiz
ze foolish law, ze silly court?" he inquired. "Do you not see 'ow much
better is my way? One hour ago you 'ave no money, no rancho, no woman. One
little hour! Ze money she is paid, ze rancho she is yours, and ze woman
what you want to marry is free for do so!" He looked Gilbert in the eyes,
and came close to him. "Tell me, 'ave I not keep my promise? 'Ave I not
make you, in one little hour, a 'appy man?"
CHAPTER XII
WHEREIN THE BAD MAN CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE GOOD MAN AND DISAPPEARS; AND A
DEAD MAN STIRS
Immediately after, Lucia came in.
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