“No, but you can alleviate their suffering or refuse to use them.” Steve moved closer and saw in the senator’s face an uneasy awareness of his appearance. A tight smile slanted his mouth, and his blue eyes were hard and ruthless. “Maybe if you had to work below ground for a day, you’d know what it’s like to be treated inhumanely. If you think my choice of garments is my own, you’re wrong.”

“I know that, Morgan.” Testily, he added, “We can talk later after you’re cleaned up. You smell foul.”

“Senator, so do you.”

Anger tightened Brandon’s mouth, but he was wise enough not to comment.

Delgado was summoned, clearly unhappy that one of the prisoners—the very one who had started the riot—was now being treated as a guest. He complied with the senator’s request for decent food and clothing, but lodged a protest.

“But he is a bandit, señor! A prisoner!”

“By mistake. I’ll deal with the authorities. You just do as you’re told and provide him with food, clothing and a bath—the latter being the most important at the moment.”

Muttering under his breath, Delgado showed Steve to a small room to one side, but kept a wary eye on him, leaning against the door frame. “Crazy norteamericano,” he spat. “It would have been better had you been killed.”

“Perhaps for you,” Steve said softly in a Mestizo dialect that he knew the man would understand and Brandon would not. “You know I would like to kill you, eh?”

Delgado glared at him silently.

When Steve was washed and dressed, and had rejoined Brandon, the senator dismissed Delgado.

“See to the others. There are matters I must discuss with my—guest.”

Delgado nodded stiffly. ‘‘Sí, señor, but if you should need me to shoot any vermin…” His hand on the pistol he wore strapped to his hip was ample evidence of his meaning.

“Most of the vermin here are already wearing guns,” Steve said before Brandon could reply. “If I were you, Delgado, I would be more concerned with my own neck. I have a feeling the authorities will not be too happy with you.”

“I have done my job well, gringo pig! No man can say that I have not done what I was told to do. And if you think to make trouble for me, you may find that you have a tiger by the tail. I have friends in high places, much higher than a norteamericano who thinks he is so important.” He made a contemptuous gesture, slicing his palm into empty air. “You will soon discover who really owns Mexican silver. It is not all for gringos who care nothing for this country, only for their own pockets!”