Page:Gaston Leroux--The bride of the sun.djvu/90

76 the best way to get off. Immediate action of the Indian bank-clerk saved the situation, and probably Uncle Francis' neck. Getting off his own mule, Runtu squeezed down the line, and catching Mr. Montgomery's mount by the bridle, led it on to a broader path and safety. Dick, the Marquis and Maria-Teresa could not do less than thank him.

When they moved on, Maria-Teresa and the Indian were riding side by side.

"Well, señor Huayna Capac Runtu?" she smiled at him.

"Oh, señorita, let us forget all those illustrious names, which died with my ancestors. The only one I have a right to now is that by which I am known at the bank—just plain Oviedo, like everybody else."

"Yes, I remember now. That is what you called yourself when you came to me from the bank.... Well, Señor Oviedo, can you tell me now what you were doing outside my tent last night with Huascar, my former servant?"

Oviedo Huayna Capac Runtu did not budge, but his mule swerved slightly. He reined it in.

"So you saw Huascar, señorita? An old friend of mine. He arrived late at night, on his way to Cajamarca, and knowing I was at the camp, halted here a minute to see me. I remember now, we did stop outside your tents. When