That is going to be more difficult." "Time heals all breaches between gentlemen who should be friends," declared Don Luis, quite graciously.
After that it was a silent party that rode in the touring car.
Though the road back to the estate was worthy of no such name as road, the big car none the less "ate up the miles." It was not long before the young engineers caught sight of the big white house.
"Come, gentlemen," begged Don Luis, alighting, and turning to the young engineers with a courtly grace that concealed a world of mockery.

"You will find your rooms ready, and my household ready to minister to your comfort." Tom Reade, as he stepped upon the porch, drew himself up as stiffly as any American soldier could have done.
"We've had to come this far with you, Don Luis," admitted the young engineer, dropping all his former pretense of dry good humor, "but you can't make us live under your roof unless you go so far as to have us seized, tied and carried in." "I have no intention of being anything but a gracious friend and host," murmured Montez.
"Then, while we probably must stay here," Tom resumed, "we'll leave your place and go to live somewhere in the open near you.
We can accept neither your house nor your food." "Very good," answered Montez, meekly, bowing again.

"I will only suggest, _caballeros_, that you do not attempt to go too far from my house.

If you do, the soldiers will surely find you.

Then they will not bring you back to me, and you will learn what _incommunicado_ means in our Mexican law.