"But that does not mean that he renounced me," objected Myra, as Don
Carlos paused again.
"What else does it mean, Myra?" asked Don Carlos. "I told him Cojuelo
is madly in love with you, as I have said, and that if he accepted his
freedom the outlaw would take it as an indication he had given you up.
Yet he is going. True, he talked about organizing a rescue party,
swore he would kill Cojuelo if any harm came to you, and all that sort
of thing, but that was mere empty talk. The whole point is, as I said
in the first place, that he is prepared, in effect, to surrender you to
El Diablo Cojuelo as the price of his own freedom and safety."
"I cannot--I will not--believe it," said Myra firmly, rising to her
feet. "Not until I hear Tony say himself that he is prepared to
renounce me will I believe it. Let me see him."
"As you will," said Don Carlos, rising and putting on his disguise. "I
will take you to him. Let me remind you, however, of your promise not
to reveal the fact that Don Carlos and El Diablo Cojuelo are one and
the same. I hold you to both of your promises--and I have a priest
waiting to marry us. Come!"