CHAPTER XI
IN WHICH THERE IS MORE THAN ONE LIE TOLD AND THE TRUTH IS GLIMPSED
"You!" cried Kendric in amazement as his look went swiftly from Bruce'sradiant face to Zoraida's and back to Bruce. "With her!"
Young Bruce West advanced eagerly.
"It's been a mistake, Jim," he said earnestly. "A cursed mistake allalong the line. When I explain to you----"
"Boy," cut in Kendric sternly, "where's your head? Don't you know thatshe was one of the crowd raiding you? Have you forgotten all I toldyou?"
Zoraida, head held high, her cheeks flushed, stood eyeing himdefiantly. The mockery of her look disturbed him; she appeared fullyconfident of herself, her destiny and her place in Bruce's estimation.Bruce himself frowned and shook his head.
"You've always been a fair man, Jim," he said. "Suspend judgment untilwe've talked."
While Kendric held his tongue and pondered angrily, Zoraida's eyesflashed about the room. Only for an instant did they tarry with Bettywho, drawn away from her almost to the table against the wall, lookedback at her with unhidden distrust. Longer did they hold to Ruiz Rios.
"My cousin," she said softly, "you have something to say to me. Whatis it?"
"Not here, senorita," urged Rios. "In another room."
Kendric, but not Bruce, saw the deeply significant regard she shot atRios. Her answer puzzled Kendric for the moment, not so much the wordsas the tone. She spoke to Rios as one might speak to a dreaded master.
"I am ready," was all that she said. And when Rios threw open the doorfor her, it was to Bruce that she said gently, her eyes melting intohis, "A moment only, if Senor Rios will permit that I return so soon."And she went out, Rios at her heels.
"Can't you see, Jim?" Bruce was all excitement and his hands wereclenched at his side; his boyish eyes blazed. "It's that damned RuizRios! He dictates to her; he has put the fear of death and worse intoher heart. She is made to suffer for all of his crimes!"
"So that's the story?" Kendric grunted his disgust. "And you've lether stuff you hide-full of lies?"
"Go easy, Jim." Bruce appeared sincerely pained and troubled. "I'vecalled you a fair man; won't you open your mind to the truth? She hasbeen misrepresented, I know. Her enemies----" He clenched his hands."She is a wonderful creature!" he burst out. "And she has honored mewith her confidence and her friendship."
This very night Zoraida Castelmar had ruthlessly pillaged Bruce's ranchand from Bruce's mouth now gushed the words: "She has honored me withher confidence and her friendship!" Was there no end to the woman'saudacity? Was there no end to the blind stupidity of mankind whichpermitted of lawlessness like tonight's being glossed over, which wentto the insane extreme of worshiping when normally the logical emotionwould be hatred? Was there finally, no end to the power of Zoraida?
What had happened between Bruce West and Zoraida? Kendric knewsomething of Zoraida's bravado, no little of her supreme assurance,much of her methods. Plainly she had gone straight to Bruce after theraid. He could see the picture of her coming out of the lurid nightand into the experience of a boy all unnerved by his anger and grief.He could understand how she offered her softened beauty to the hardeyes; how her voice had caressed and distorted fact; how Zoraida hadhad the wit to tell her own story, make her own impression, beforeBruce could have had time to steel himself against her. But what talecould she have told to convince a man like Bruce who, at the least, wasnot a fool?
Somehow, decided Kendric, she had lied out of the whole thing.Further, she had used every siren trick she knew to drug his betterjudgment. She had been tender and feminine and seductive. While withone hand she had robbed him, she had caressed him with the other. Andnot too boldly; she had not overdone it. She probably wept for him;she treated him to the flash of her eyes through spurious tears. Sheemployed her beauty like a lure and had little trouble in putting theboy's suspicions to sleep. What chance would a simple, open-heartedfellow like Bruce have against the wiles which were Zoraida's stock intrade? Kendric recalled vividly that subtle influence which Zoraidahad cast even upon him; which he had felt even when steeled againsther, and asked himself again what chance Bruce could have with her inthe hour of her boldest triumph? The very fact of her having comeimmediately on the heels of the catastrophe gave her a look ofinnocence. . . . Had Zoraida the trick of hypnosis over men? It beganto look like it.
"Poor old Baby-blue-eyes," muttered Jim. He looked at the boywonderingly. Then only did it occur to him that Bruce and Betty Gordonwere strangers to each other and that Bruce, when his sanity shouldreturn to him, would make a desirable friend for Betty. So he said,turning toward the girl: "Miss Gordon, this is an old friend of mine;another American, too, Bruce West."
Betty looked her frank interest upon Bruce and her speculation wasobvious: among so many men whom she feared and distrusted she wonderedif here was one of whom any girl might be sure. She put out her hand,even smiled. But Bruce held stiffly back, his eyes full of accusinglight.
"I have heard of Miss Gordon," he said coolly. "She is also known asPansy Blossom, I believe, over in Sonora."
Kendric failed to understand and looked to Betty. Her eyes widened.Then her cheeks crimsoned.
"Oh!" she gasped. "Mr. West, what do you mean? I have heard of her,everyone has. She is the most terrible creature!" She shuddered."What made you say that?"
Bruce laughed his disbelief of her words and attitude.
"Jim, here, doesn't seem to remember," he said brusquely. "If you'dbeen down in Sonora lately, Jim, you'd know all about Pansy Blossom.She sings rather well, I hear, and dances. It would seem that she hasthe makings of a highly successful actress," he concluded meaningly.Kendric stared at him.
"You mean that Betty Gordon here is some sort of an adventuress?" hedemanded.
For answer Bruce shrugged elaborately and returned Kendric's stare.Jim looked to Betty again. Her face was stamped in the image ofshocked amazement, she scarcely breathed through her slightly partedlips.
"You're talking nonsense, Bruce," Jim said emphatically. "Sheer rot.She's just Betty Gordon and in a peck of trouble. It's up to you andme, being countrymen of hers, to see her through instead of hurting herfeelings."
Bruce regarded him somberly.
"Old Headlong," he said slowly, "you're just the man to mistake awoman. You've judged Zoraida Castelmar wrong; you're making a mistakewith Miss Pansy Blossom."
"You fool!" cried Jim angrily. "Where the devil have your wits gone?You call this child an adventuress? Why, man alive, can't you seeshe's just baby?"
"Pansy Blossom's record----" began Bruce.
"Deuce take Pansy Blossom! We're talking about Betty Gordon, this poorlittle lost kid here. Who told you that she was the same as thatdancing woman?" Bruce made no answer. "Was it Zoraida Castelmar?"demanded Kendric. "Tell me. Is that what Zoraida Castelmar had to sayabout her?"
"Well?" challenged Bruce. "Suppose it was?"
"What else did she tell you?" Jim had him by the arm now and his eyeswere blazing. "Spit it out, boy. What other rot?"
"It's not rot, Jim. If you'll keep your eyes open and think a littleyou'll know as much as I know."
Kendric groaned. "There's a game on foot that has a bad look to it.Escobar is in it and Rios and--your young lady friend. If you'll giveme a few minutes presently, I'll explain."
"Escobar and Betty Gordon! Why, there's nothing between them but fearand hatred. Or rather that's all there was; Escobar's lying dead outthere now. Ruiz Rios plugged him square through the heart just now.And now he's taking _your_ lady friend out to tell her about it! Bettyis their captive, held for ransom, as I told you."
"Or appears to be?" Bruce jerked his arm away and began movingrestlessly up and down, looking always toward the door through whichZoraida had gone. Kendric turned toward Betty. She had not stirred;her cheeks were still burning. Apparently she had heard a very greatdeal of unsavory report of the lady Bruce mistook her for.
Only theexpression in her eyes and about her lips had changed; now it was oneof passionate anger. The look surprised him. He began to think ofBetty in altered terms. She wasn't just the baby he had named her andshe wasn't just the little kid of sixteen he had at first taken her tobe. During the interview with Ruiz Rios he had learned that she had amind of her own. To her other possessions he now saw added an Americangirl's fiery temper.
Then Zoraida and Rios returned. Before a word was spoken Kendric knewthat he was to be treated to some more play-acting. Zoraida hadelected to look frightened and uncertain; the glance she cast towardher cousin spoke of terror as well as loathing. Rios glared and lookedimportant. Swiftly Zoraida crossed the room, her bejeweled fingersfinding Bruce West's arm.
"My friend," she whispered so that they could all hear. "I don't knowwhich way to turn. A man has killed himself--the Captain Escobar. Orso Ruiz Rios says. And I----" She broke off, shuddering. And then,bewildering Jim Kendric if no one else, two big tears gathered in hereyes and spilled down to her cheeks!
"Senores Kendric and West," announced Rios autocratically, "you willtake all orders from me now. You will not leave the house, either ofyou, unless I give the word. Senorita Zoraida, you will go to yourroom and wait until I send for you. Senorita Pansy," and suddenly histeeth showed in his quick smile, "a word with you please in the_patio_?"
"My cousin," said Zoraida, all soft supplication now, her two handsheld out toward Rios, "it is only a little thing I beg of you. May Ihave a few words with Senor West?"
"Go to your room," answered Rios shortly. "Senor West remains with us.You may see him later."
Zoraida looked lingeringly at Bruce, shook her head sorrowfully as heappeared to be gathering himself to spring at the man who terrorizedher, murmured gently, "Wait--for my sake, senor!" and went out of theroom. Out of the corners of her oblique eyes, when her back was toBruce, she mocked Jim Kendric.
Rios held the door open for Betty.
"Will you come to the _patio_ with me, senorita?" he asked.
"No!" cried Betty. "You terrible man. No."
Rios, though not the actor Zoraida was, managed to appear startled thatshe should speak so. Then, as he looked from her to Jim and Bruce, hesmiled as though in comprehension.
"There is no need to pretend further, Senorita Pansy," he said. "Theyknow."
"There is a great deal we know, Ruiz Rios," broke out Bruce. "You holdthe upper hand just now but there's a new deal coming!"
"Will you come, Senorita Pansy?" Rios grew truculent. "Or shall I callfor a dozen men to escort you?"
"Rios," snapped Kendric, "I'm getting damned tired of this foolishness.Betty Gordon is a friend of mine and I'm going to see her through. Shegoes nowhere she does not want to. If you want to take me on, I'mready for you. Ready and waiting!"
"No," said Betty again. "Mr. Kendric, I will go with him as far as the_patio_." She took a step forward, then whipped back at a suddenthought. "He is lying out there--dead!" she whispered.
"The unfortunate Captain Escobar," Rios told her equably, "has beenremoved to another part of the house. And, if you like, we will speaktogether in the dining-room."
Betty came to Jim Kendric then. She looked up into his eyes and saidgently:
"I do trust you. You are the only one I trust. I can look to no oneelse. If I want you I will call. And you will come to me, won't you?"
"Come to you? Why, bless your heart, I'd come running!"
So Betty and Rios went out and for a little while Jim and Bruce wereleft alone.
"Bruce, old man," said Kendric, "let's come down to earth. Put yoursentimental heart in your pocket and use your brains a while. You knowme well enough to know that I won't lie to you. Will you listen to me?"
"Yes. But tell me only what you know, not what you surmise. What doyou _know_ against Zoraida Castelmar?"
"I know she is an adventuress, playing for big stakes, stakes so bigthat in the end they are bound to crush her."
"Speculation, old chap." Bruce smiled faintly. "Keep away from dopingout the future and stick to facts."
"So you want facts? All right: She is planning a revolution; she hasthe mad idea that she can rip Lower California away from the governmentand make of it a separate empire, herself its queen!"
"Why not? Wilder things have been done. And where would you find amore likely queen?"
"When I first saw her she came, disguised as a man, into Ortega'sgaming hell, Rios with her. She played dice with me for twentythousand dollars."
Bruce's eye brightened.
"She's wonderful!" he said eagerly.
"She's hand and fist with Rios and Escobar and a lot of other riff-raffI don't know. She is instrumental in Betty Gordon's being held forransom----"
"How do you _know_? Or are you just guessing again? Betty Gordon!How do you _know_ she isn't what I called her, the infamous dancingwoman with an evil record a mile long?"
"Haven't I talked with her?" Kendric grew impatient. "Haven't I seenher terror? Haven't I looked into her eyes?"
"Haven't I talked with Zoraida?" countered Bruce. "Haven't I heard herexplanations? Haven't I seen her terror of Rios? Haven't I lookedinto her eyes?"
"You were burned out tonight. Have you forgotten that? Your herdswere raided. Even old Twisty Barlow, once a square man, followedZoraida Castelmar into that! And Zoraida, herself, was one of theraiders!"
"How do you _know_?" demanded Bruce. And always he laid significantstress on the word of certainty.
"I saw the horse she rode. I heard the whistle which she wears on achain about her throat. I even saw the white plume in her hat."
"Is there only one white horse in Mexico? And only one whistle? Andonly one white plume? These things, if it had been Zoraida, she wouldhave left behind. In the dark you guessed. I am afraid you haveguessed all along the line."
"Then tell me how the devil it came about that Zoraida showed up atyour place? A pretty tall coincidence."
"Nothing of the kind. The whole thing was engineered by Rios. Sheoverheard a little, guessed it all. Dangerous though the effort was,she tried to be in time to warn me. She came just too late."
Kendric stared at his friend incredulously. First Barlow, then youngBruce West drawn from his side and to Zoraida's. She required men, menof his stamp. And she seemed to have the way of drawing them to her.He felt utterly baffled; he could at the moment think of no argumentwhich Bruce's infatuation would not thrust aside. Where he woulddepict a heartless, ambitious adventuress Bruce would see a glorifiedand heroic superwoman.
Rios came to the door.
"Senor West," he said as they turned expectantly toward him, "SenoritaZoraida implores so eloquently for word with you that I have consented.If you will step this way she will come to you."
Bruce required no second invitation. With Rios's words he forgotKendric's arguments and Kendric's very presence. He went out, his stepeager. Before Rios followed him Kendric called:
"Where is Miss Gordon?"
"Gone to her room, senor. If you will look at your watch you will notethat it is time."
It was well after midnight and Kendric thought that for all the good hecould do, he, too, might as well go to bed. But he was too stubborn aman to give up his friend so easily and he hoped that since Bruce wasnot a fool he would come in time to see the real Zoraida under the maskshe had donned for his benefit. So he waited, walking up and down.
Zoraida entered so quietly that she was in the room and the door shutafter her before he felt her presence.
"Bruce has gone out that way, looking for you," he said.
"I can see him presently," she answered lightly. "I think he willwait, don't you?"
"I fancy he will," he returned bitterly. "What do you want with theboy, Zoraida? What has he done to you that you should ruin him, firstfinancially and then every other way? Aren't you afraid of what youare building up for yourself? Men like Barlow and Bruce West may letyou
sing their souls to sleep for a little; look out when they wake up!"
She laughed softly.
"I think that all along you have doubted my power," she said, her eyessteady on his. "Are you beginning to see that Zoraida Castelmar is agirl to reckon with? You have said that the great things I attempt arebeyond me; have I failed in anything I have tried?"
"To infatuate a man is not the same thing as to build a state!"
"And yet infatuated men make obedient lieutenants."
They grew silent. In each there was much which was of its natureincomprehensible to the other and which, of necessity, must remain so.Slowly there came a different look upon the girl's face. Her eyessoftened and were more wistful that he had ever thought they could be.Her breast rose and fell in a profound sigh. All of the triumph andmockery went out of her.
"Why are you so unlike other men?" she asked. And her voice, too, hadsoftened and grown tender.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked.
"Escobar hated me but he would have followed me through fire had Ibeckoned. You have seen the look in your friend Barlow's eyes when heturns to me, and this after only a few days, a few smiles! Youglimpsed just now the love that has sprung up in Bruce West's heartlike a flower full blown. There have been many, many men, my friend,who have looked upon Zoraida Castelmar as they look. Until you camethere has been no man who turned his head away." Again she sighedunhiddenly. Her eyes melted into his, yearning, promising, beseeching."And to you I have offered what would have made any other man mad withjoy."
He looked into her eyes and it seemed impossible that they could speakshameless lies. For the moment at least she had the appearance of ayoung girl without sophistication, without the skill to hide herthoughts. Her eyes seemed unusually large, wide open frankly, asinnocent as spring violets. Was she always like this--was this thereal, true Zoraida-- He felt her influence upon him, pervading hissenses like heavy perfume, and spoke hurriedly.
"You and I are different sorts of people," he answered. "Our ideas aswell as our ideals are of different orders."
"And what if I altered?" whispered Zoraida, coming closer to him."What it I discarded all of my ideas and ideals. Yes, and my ambitionswith them! What then, Senor Jim Kendric?"
He shook his head and moved restlessly.
"I am no woman's man, you know that. And if I were, you know also thatyou are not my kind of woman."
And still no passionate outburst came from Zoraida denied! Rather shegrew more deeply meditative. Almost she seemed saddened and weary.
"Your kind of woman," she mused. And then, in pure jest, "LikeEscobar's captive?"
For some obscure reason after which he did not grope the half sneer ofthe words stung Kendric into a sharp retort.
"By heaven, yes!" he cried. "There's the sort of girl for any man toput his trust in, to give the best that is in him!"
Zoraida gasped. Utter amazement filled her eyes. Then cameincredulity: she would not believe. But when she saw the seriousnessof his eyes, her passion burst out upon him. Her two hands rose andclenched themselves on her panting breast, her eyes lost their shadowof amazement and grew brilliant with anger.
"That little baby-faced doll!" she cried. "She has dared make eyes atyou. And you, blind fool that you are, have turned from _me_ to_her_!" Her voice shook, her whole body trembled visibly, thenstiffened. In a flash all girlish softness was gone; she looked ascold and cruel as steel. "I had thought to let her go when the ransomcame. Now I shall have other plans for her."
Kendric stared.
"In the first place," he said with an assumption of carelessness, "youhave overshot the mark: Betty Gordon hasn't made eyes at me at all andI'm not in love with her and have no intentions of being. Next, I failto see what has happened that would alter your plans in her regard?"
Zoraida laughed her disbelief.
"Any girl in her place would make eyes at you," she retorted. "And asfor my plans, perhaps you may be allowed to watch the working out ofthem! Would you enjoy," she taunted him, "the sight of Betty Gordon ina steel cage into which we allowed to enter a certain pet of mine?"
At first he did not understand. Then he stared at her speechlessly.Words of Juanita, spoken fearfully that morning, recurred to him: "Shewould give me to her cat, her terrible, terrible cat, to play with!"He opened his mouth to lift his voice in hot protest; then he bit backthe words, savagely calling himself a fool for the mad thought. Evento Zoraida's lawlessness there must be a limit; even the cold crueltylooking out of her oblique eyes now could not carry her so far. Andyet the laugh with which he answered her was a trifle shaky.
"We are talking nonsense," he said abruptly. "And Bruce is expectingyou. When you finish distorting facts for his consumption I'd like aword with him."
Zoraida's face went white.
"It is in my heart," she said in a dry whisper, "to give orders thatyou will never see another sun rise!"
"Give your orders then," he snapped. "I'm sick of things as they are.Send in a gang of your cutthroats and I'll give you my word I'd ratherfight my way through them than stand by and watch you poison honestmen's souls."
She stepped across the room and put out her hand as though to the bellon the table. Kendric watched her sternly. She stopped and looked athim wonderingly. Suddenly she dropped her hand to her side and withthe gesture came a swift alteration in her expression. A strange smilemolded her lips, an inscrutable look dawned in the dark eyes.
"I knew already that you were a brave man, Jim Kendric," she said. "Iwas forgetting, losing all clear thought because a man had dismissed mefrom his presence? Well, of that, more another time. But brave men Ineed, brave men I must have in that which comes soon. If there is notone way, then there will be another to draw you to my side."
She was going out but stopped as they heard horses in the yard. Shestood still, waiting. Presently there came an unsteady step at thefront door. A hand fumbled, the door opened and Twisty Barlow entered.His arm was in a sling, a bandage bound his forehead, his eyes shonefeverishly. He stopped on the threshold and stared at them. Kendricspoke quickly.
"Twisty," he said, "do you know who shot you?"
Barlow merely shook his head.
"I did. I was at Bruce's. I did not know you but----"
"But you'd have shot just the same, anyway?" grunted Barlow.
"You got yourself into damned bad company, Barlow. But that's youraffair. Just tell me one thing: Was it not at Zoraida Castelmar'sorders that you went?"
Barlow's look shifted for an instant to Zoraida's half smiling face.But his hesitation was brief.
"No," he said shortly.
An hour later Kendric gave up waiting for Bruce and went off to hisbedroom. On his table were two letters in their envelopes. They werethe letters he and Bruce had written, telling of Betty Gordon'scaptivity.