Skye’s lips tightened as she read through the letter twice. It was obvious that Captain Maclean had received a second letter or a message from her telling him that all was well.

“The impertinence of the man!” she said aloud, speaking of El Diablo, not of the Captain. Then she felt weakly that it was no use getting annoyed over trifles when there were so many other things to arouse her anger.

She picked up the second letter.

It was from Jimmy. He wrote glowingly of the delights of Valparaiso and she knew that this was intentional and that he was still hoping to lure her away from Mariposa.

He ended his letter with the words,

“I have hoped against hope that I might receive a letter from you, but I suppose the Mariposan countryside is proving too attractive a rival for your time. Try to keep out of mischief. I continue to worry despite the fact that I am sure it is quite unnecessary.”

‘If only he knew!’ Skye thought and yet somehow she found it difficult not to see the humour of the situation.

Jimmy, in Valparaiso, was afraid that she might be getting into trouble, yet forcing himself to believe that no news was good news, while she had been married, imprisoned and insulted by a bandit who, as far as she could see, had no intention of setting her free.

“There must be an end to it sometime,” she said aloud.

Neengai, coming into the room, thought that she was addressing her.

“Excusa, señora?” she said politely.

“It’s all right, Neengai, I was talking to myself,” Skye said. “What time is it?”

“Near to noon, señora, and El Cabeza went away early with many men, señora. He say you tired, no one to disturb.”

Skye stretched her arms above her head.

“I will get up,” she said. “It’s too hot to stay in bed.”

Neengai brought her water and she had a bath and dressed herself in a cool cotton dress. If El Diablo had gone out, she knew that she would not be allowed to leave the cave. Another day she might have chafed at the restriction, but today she was almost glad as she felt languid and a little sleepy.

By the time she was dressed it was time for the midday meal, but she was not hungry and the Indians carried away again most of what Alphonse had spent so much care and trouble in preparing.

When they had gone, Skye stretched herself on the couch and was half asleep when she heard a voice outside.

“A message for the señora from El Cabeza,” she heard someone say.