The air was perfectly still, but the leaves of a manzanita bush near the misshapen cactus were slightly agitated.

Presently Ezekiel saw the stealthy figure of a man emerge from behind it and approach the cactus.

Reaching his hand cautiously towards the plant, the stranger detached something from one of its thorns, and instantly disappeared.

The quick eyes of Ezekiel had seen that it was a letter, his unerring perception of faces recognized at the same moment that the intruder was none other than the handsome, reckless-looking man he had seen the other day in conference with Mateo.
But Ezekiel was not the only witness of this strange intrusion.

A few paces from him, Dona Rosita, unconscious of his return, was gazing in a half-frightened, breathless absorption in the direction of the stranger's flight.
"Wa'al!" drawled Ezekiel lazily.
She started and turned towards him.