But Yokseyi was new! One of the Indians whom El Diablo had chosen as his personal servants was sick with a touch of fever and his place had been taken while he was away by this younger man, chosen, Skye learned, from dozens of eager volunteers, because he had been trained to wait at one of the hotels in Jācara.

She rose to her feet and, walking to the very back of the cave, beckoned him. He did not hesitate, but came across the wooden floor softly and almost silently to wait beside her enquiringly, his dark eyes on hers.

She spread out the dollars in her hand.

“Will you take a message to Jācara for me?” she asked, the words hardly above a whisper so that the guards outside the door should not hear.

The Indian looked down at the dollar bills. There was no mistaking the longing in his eyes, although he did not speak.

“Ninety-seven dollars,” Skye said softly.

As in many South American countries, the currency of any nation was acceptable, but American dollars were more coveted than any other money. Translated into pesos such a sum would make a poor Indian rich for life.

“No, señora, I dare not.”

The words were almost hissed between his tobacco-stained teeth.

“Don’t say ‘no’,” Skye pleaded. “It is such a little thing to do. Look, here is the note. I want you to take it to the white yacht in the harbour called The Liberty, anyone will tell you which she is. That is all you have to do. Leave the note and come away. See, I will give you the dollars now and – ”

She thought wildly of what else would tempt him and then she unclasped from her wrist her gold wristwatch set with rubies and diamonds.

She placed it in the dark fingers, which seemed to quiver.

“I will go, señora.”

He had only begun to speak the words when suddenly his hand moved with incredible swiftness, the money, wristwatch and note to Captain Maclean disappeared as if by magic.

Picking up an ashtray that stood on an adjacent table, he walked quickly across the room towards the door.

Then Skye realised that the Indian with his naturally acute sense of hearing had heard someone coming.

It was only Neengai, but even so Skye drew a deep breath of relief.

She had not really been afraid that they might be interrupted by El Diablo himself. He had gone this morning to inspect the mine, telling her that he would be back for the midday meal and that afterwards, if nothing unexpected turned up, they would go riding.

After being over a week in the camp, Skye had learned of the immense amount of work that was done every day.