Even then they may balk and refuse." "Refuse ?" repeated Don Luis opening his eyes wide.

"Carlos, you do not seem to understand how hopeless it would be for them to refuse.

I am master here.

None knows better than you that I hold life and death in my hand in these mountains.

Do not all men hereabouts obey my orders?
Will _el gobernador_ ask any awkward questions if two Gringos should stroll through these mountains and never be heard from again?
Who can escape the net that I am able to spread in these mountains?
The Gringos refuse me--betray me?
Are they such fools as to refuse me when they find that I hold their lives in the palm of my hand ?" "They may even refuse your bait with death as the alternative," persisted the secretary.