The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water / Or, Exciting Adventures on a Summer Cruise Through the Panama Canal

CHAPTER XXIII.—THE SEARCHING PARTY.

Cries of alarm issued from the lips of the three watchers. At the same moment there came another blast from the steamer’s siren.

“They are not in the boat!” exclaimed Dick. “What shall we do?”

Mr. Willing did not stop to reply. He hurried toward the bridge where Captain Anderson stood, ready to give the signal to up-anchor immediately the small boat was hoisted aboard.

Mr. Willing, closely followed by Colonel Ashton and Dick, rushed up to him.

“Captain!” exclaimed Mr. Willing. “My daughter and the colonel’s daughter and Mrs. Sebastian are still ashore. They are not in the last boat. What is to be done?”

The captain turned the matter over in his mind.

“We should be on our way now,” he replied at last. “I am afraid we shall have to go without them.”

Mr. Willing let out a roar of protest.

“No you don’t!” he cried. “You can’t go and leave my daughter behind like that.”

“Well, what would you have me do?” asked the captain.

“Wait!” was the reply. “Wait for them!”

The captain looked at his watch.

“It’s five thirty now,” he said. “I shall wait until six thirty.”

With this the others were forced to be content.

“If they haven’t come then, we’ll have the captain set us ashore,” said the colonel.

The passengers from the last boat came over the side, and Mr. Willing questioned them eagerly. None had seen any sign of the missing ones.

Dick, gazing over the rail, uttered a cry and pointed across the water.

A boat was putting off from shore and coming toward the steamer.

“I guess they are coming at last,” said Colonel Ashton. “I’ll read Mabel a lecture when she gets here.”

As the boat approached closer it became evident that it had but a single occupant; and as it drew still nearer, that the occupant was a young native.

Captain Anderson hailed him through his megaphone.

“What do you want?” he shouted in Spanish.

“Message for Señor Willing!” came the reply.

Five minutes later, bowing and scraping, the boy put a message into Mr. Willing’s hands.

The latter tore it open quickly and his eyes devoured the words in a moment. Then he gave a cry of rage.

“What’s the matter?” asked Colonel Ashton and Dick in a single voice.

For reply, Mr. Willing read them the contents of the letter—a demand for $20,000 if the girls were ever to be seen again.

Mr. Willing and the others rushed again toward the captain on the bridge. The captain read the letter gravely.

“I wish I could help you, sir,” he said at last. “But it is impossible. I must get under way within half an hour.

“Hey! Where you going?” This last to the native boy who had suddenly leaped into the water, climbed into his boat and was making off toward the shore.

“Get him!” cried the captain to his first officer.

One of the Yucatan’s boats put off and gave chase.

But the distance was too great to overtake the fugitive, and it was soon apparent that he would make his escape.

“If we had laid hold of him we might have learned something,” said Captain Anderson. “He knows where the girls are. But it’s too late now.”

“What can we do?” demanded Mr. Willing anxiously.

“My advice,” said the captain, “is that you stay behind and put the matter in the hands of the American consul. He can tell you better what to do than I can.”

“Where did the message say to leave the money, Willing?” asked Colonel Ashton.

Mr. Willing passed him the letter.

“Nine o’clock, southeast corner San Francisco street, Tuesday. Check payable to Miguel Martinez will do. Come alone,” read the colonel.

“H-m-m, must have lots of confidence in themselves if they can use a check.”

“Now gentlemen,” said Captain Anderson, “the best I can do is to set you ashore. I must get under way immediately. I’m sorry, but I have my other passengers to think of.”

Mr. Willing acknowledged the justice of this.

“Give us ten minutes to get some things together and a boat to set us ashore then,” he said.

The captain consented, and Dick and the two men hastened to their cabins, where they gathered what few belongings they could.

“We’ll have the captain dispose of the rest in Frisco,” said the colonel. “We’ll get them when we get there.”

This the captain agreed to do, and ten minutes later the three were rushing shoreward in the steamer’s powerful gasoline launch. Immediately they clambered out, the launch put back to the ship.

“Reckon we had better go straight to the consulate, colonel,” said Mr. Willing.

“Right. But how are we going to find it?”

“I’ll try some of these natives. Some of ’em must speak English.”

After two unsuccessful attempts, Mr. Willing was successful in his quest.

Half an hour later they were in the presence of the American Consul, Mr. Edwards, to whom they explained the matter.

“What are they, a band of robbers?” asked Dick.

“I should say they are probably revolutionists,” replied the consul. “The situation here is peculiar. All factions are at war with each other. The latest so-called patriots are followers of Carranza, and I happen to know are without funds. If they can’t pay their men they will lose them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were the ones who had captured your daughters.”

“Well, what are we going to do about it?” demanded Mr. Willing.

“To tell the truth, there isn’t much we can do. Officially, I am powerless. The United States hasn’t recognized the Carranza faction, and for that reason I cannot call on its agents officially. However, I can pay a personal call upon Señor Jorge Hernandez. He may know something.”

“Then let’s get busy at once,” cried Dick.

“I don’t suppose you care to pay this ransom, Mr. Willing?” asked the consul.

“I’ll pay it if I can’t get my daughter back any other way. If she is in danger I shall pay it anyhow.”

“I am sure that she is in no danger of violence,” returned the consul. “They would not harm an American at this crisis. All they will do is to hold her in the hope that eventually you will pay. I would advise against paying the ransom at once.”

“I shall follow your advice, sir,” said Mr. Willing. “You know more about these brutes than I do.”

“Then we shall call on Hernandez,” said the consul. “Come.”

He called a cab, and all were soon at the home of Señor Hernandez, who Consul Edwards explained, was one of the foremost of the revolutionists in western Mexico.

Señor Hernandez received them cordially, and expressed surprise at the story Mr. Willing related. He even called his wife into consultation.

“If our party is concerned in this matter I am not aware of it,” he told them. “I shall make inquiries, and if I find it is true, someone shall pay dearly.”

“Oh, some of your fellows have captured them all right,” declared Dick angrily. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you know all about it.”

“Sir!” exclaimed the Mexican, drawing himself up.

“Mr. Stanley!” exclaimed the consul. “You forget yourself!”

Even Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton apologized to the Mexican for Dick’s outburst.

“Say no more about it, señors,” was the suave reply. “Youth is always hot-headed, you know.”

“I didn’t say it because I am hot-headed,” declared Dick. “I said it because I mean it.”

Hernandez gazed at the others with an air of wounded dignity.

“If I am to be insulted, I shall not continue the interview longer,” he said.

“The boy meant no harm, señor,” said the consul. “He is just angry, that’s all.”

“Then, I shall speak more with you if he is excused,” was the reply.

The consul looked at Dick.

“You had better go outside,” he said. “You have already made trouble enough.”

Dick was on the point of making an angry retort, but checked himself.

“Very well,” he said. “I shall wait for you without.”

He left the room, and went out on to the street, where he stood gazing first this way and then that while he waited for the appearance of the others.

A man swung sharply past him in the darkness. Dick was caught by the other’s erect carriage, plainly that of a military man.

“Too tall for a Mexican,” muttered Dick. “I’ll have a look at him.”

He followed. Under a dim street light half a block away the man paused to light a cigar. The flare of the match lighted up his features.

“Von Blusen!” exclaimed Dick. “I’ll bet he is mixed up in this in some way. I’ll follow him.”

Taking pains to avoid being discovered, he set out on Von Blusen’s trail.

CHAPTER XXIV.—FLIGHT.

The captain smiled.

“A good idea,” he said turning to the others. “An excellent manner in which to raise money, providing you are not caught.”

“I was not aware that you were acquainted with these young ladies,” said Mrs. Sebastian.

“Oh, yes indeed! I know them well,” was the reply. “In fact I have a little score to settle with them myself. One of our best laid plans was foiled because of them.”

“So?” queried Martinez. “Will you explain, captain?”

“With pleasure.”

The captain did so, and the others listened with amazement to the story of the plot to capture the Yucatan, and its ultimate outcome.

“They are smart girls,” declared Mrs. Sebastian, “but this time I believe we have them safe.”

“I sincerely hope so,” was the reply.

An hour later the girls were left alone.

“What on earth shall we do?” exclaimed Mabel.

“There is nothing we can do,” replied Shirley. “We must wait for some one to rescue us.”

“Do you suppose there is anything in what Captain Von Blusen gave as his reason for being here?”

“Of course; but the thing that puzzles me is how he got here so soon. You remember how we left him?”

“Yes. But he’s a very resourceful man. I wish he were on our side.”

“So do I. If he were, we might get away.”

It was after seven o’clock when Mrs. Sebastian, Martinez and his wife reentered the room.

“We have had no reply from your fathers as yet,” said the former. “However, we did not really expect one. It is to be hoped for your sakes that they leave the money to-night.”

“I don’t believe they will,” replied Shirley quietly.

“So much the worse for you then.”

At this moment a native boy came in and announced that the American consul was without, accompanied by two strangers, and that he desired immediate communication with Señor Hernandez.

“Well, they are on the trail,” said Martinez, with a laugh. “I wonder what the consul would think if he knew that Hernandez and Martinez were one and the same person. Well, I shall see the consul. You be very quiet in here, for you know how sounds carry in this house.”

Mrs. Sebastian nodded, and Martinez, alias Hernandez, made his way from the room.

He returned an hour later with a smile on his face.

“I’ve thrown them off the track, all right,” he said gleefully. “I was startled for a moment, though. There was a little whipper-snapper with the two Americanos—Señor Stanley is his name—and he accused me of knowing the whereabouts of the prisoners. I denied it, and Consul Edwards rebuked him and sent him from the room.”

At this moment there came footsteps running rapidly down the hall, and a moment later Captain Von Blusen burst in excitedly.

“Quick!” he cried. “We must get away from here.”

“Here! here!” said Hernandez calmly. “What is the matter? Give an account of yourself.”

“I was walking along the street,” said Von Blusen, “when I came across one of the Americans from aboard the Yucatan.”

“Who?” demanded Mrs. Sebastian anxiously.

“Young Stanley,” cried the captain.

“Stanley?” repeated the others.

“Yes. I heard someone following me, and I waited for him to come up. When I saw who it was I hit him with my fist and knocked him down. He was up in a moment, though, and pitched into me. We had quite a tussle, but I finally managed to get away and come here to warn you.”

“And were you followed?”

“I don’t know.”

“The Kaiser must be proud of you,” sneered Hernandez. “If you have botched his plans as you have ours, he would have you shot. Come,” he turned to the two women, “the game is up. We shall have to fly. If the Americano has followed this man here, my connection must soon be discovered. Consul Edwards will suspect. We must fly!”

“Where?” exclaimed Mrs. Sebastian.

“Mazatlan. We have just time to catch the night train. Hurry!”

The two women turned and dashed from the room and Hernandez turned to the girls.

“Put on your hats,” he said gruffly.

The girls obeyed without a word, for they could see the man was very angry.

Then he turned to Captain Von Blusen.

“As for you,” he said, “you keep out of my sight in the future. Approach me again and I will have you shot.”

“But—” began the captain.

Hernandez produced a revolver which he levelled at the German.

“I guess I had better do it now,” he declared. “It will save trouble.”

His finger tightened on the trigger.

But before he could fire, Shirley sprang forward with a cry and seized the arm that held the revolver.

Hernandez whirled on her angrily, but as he did so, Captain Von Blusen sprang forward and struck the man a heavy blow on the head with his fist. Hernandez toppled over.

Captain Von Blusen turned to the girls.

“I can do you no good here,” he said hurriedly. “I’ll tell your friends where you are being taken and we shall save you.”

He darted from the room and disappeared.

Shirley and Mabel made as though to follow him, but before they reached the door, the two women reappeared. Mrs. Sebastian took in the situation with a quick glance and bent over Hernandez, who was now stirring feebly. Directly he sat up and his gaze roved about the room.

“Where did he go?” he cried.

“Who?” asked his wife.

“The German! The man who knocked me down.”

“He’s gone,” said Mrs. Sebastian. “Come, Hernandez, we have no time to lose.”

Hernandez staggered to his feet, and his gaze rested on Shirley. He took a threatening step forward.

“You—” he began.

Mrs. Sebastian threw herself between them.

“There will be no harm done these girls while I am here,” she said quietly. “Please remember that.”

As Hernandez still seemed on the point of trying to get at Shirley, the woman suddenly produced a revolver, which she levelled directly at him.

“Stand back!” she cried. “Haven’t you any sense? Don’t you know what would happen should harm befall either of these girls?”

“She is right,” said the man’s wife. “Come, let us go.”

Hernandez muttered to himself, but he turned away.

In response to his call the native boy again appeared and announced that a closed cab was at the door.

Hernandez led the way, and Mrs. Sebastian motioned for the girls to follow him. The two women brought up the rear.

Outside all climbed into the cab and were soon being driven away.

Neither girl uttered a word as the cab bumped along the uneven street, but each was badly frightened. For half an hour the cab continued its way and then it came to a stop.

“Not a word!” ordered Hernandez of the two girls, as he prepared to alight.

The girls had sense enough to obey this injunction and went into the little station, dimly lighted, and boarded the waiting train without so much as speaking to each other.

As Shirley glanced back over her shoulder while climbing up the steps, she caught sight of a familiar figure lurking in the shadows. She could not be certain, but she felt positive that the man was Captain Von Blusen.

Captors and captives took seats at the rear end of the last car, where they sat in silence until the train began to move. Then, for the first time, did Hernandez breath in relief.

“Safe enough now,” he declared.

“But they may telegraph ahead and have us detained,” said his wife.

“No one knows we have come this way save Captain Von Blusen,” was the reply, “and it will not be to his interests to interfere with us.”

Shirley and Mabel now found themselves able to converse without being overheard by the others.

“I saw Captain Von Blusen in the station as we climbed aboard,” said Shirley.

“Do you think he will help us?” asked Mabel.

“I don’t know, but some way I feel that he will. He seemed sincere enough when he spoke just before he left.”

“My goodness gracious! I hope something turns up soon!” exclaimed Mabel. “Our Dads must be worried to death.”

“Well, if Dick is on the trail, I am sure we shall be rescued,” declared Shirley.

“You have lots of confidence in Dick, haven’t you?” asked Mabel.

“Of course. Why shouldn’t I have?”

“Well, I hope we are rescued soon.”

“Some way, I believe we shall be,” declared Shirley.

The train sped on through the darkness.

CHAPTER XXV.—ON THE TRAIL.

“He’s on the wrong scent now,” declared Edwards.

At the consulate they could find no trace of Dick.

“What can have happened?” demanded Mr. Willing anxiously.

“Oh, he’ll turn up,” declared the consul. “We’ll wait.”

They sat down to await the return of Dick, meanwhile talking over what was best to be done.

Meantime, Dick, on the trail of Captain Von Blusen, was having troubles of his own. He had approached too close behind the German, and the latter had realized he was being followed.

Rounding a corner, the German officer stopped abruptly. As Dick swung around the corner he recognized him instantly and struck out with his fist. The blow caught Dick on the side of the head and he went down.

He was up in a moment, however, and grappled with his opponent. In this sort of fighting the German was no match for Dick, but he finally succeeded in breaking the latter’s hold, and took to his heels.

Dick ran after him.

Unconsciously the German took the direction from which he had just come, and not stopping to think that he might be followed, had thus betrayed the rendezvous. He ran straight to Hernandez’ home, as we already know, and Dick recognized it.

Captain Von Blusen entered by the back door, and there Dick stopped. He had seen enough to tell him just how the situation stood, and realizing that he could accomplish little himself and that haste therefore was essential, he hurried back to the consulate.

“Where have you been?” cried Mr. Willing jumping to his feet as Dick burst into the room.

“I’ve been trailing Von Blusen, sir.”

“Von Blusen!”

“Yes, sir, and I have learned enough to warrant my belief that Hernandez is concerned in the disappearance of Shirley and Mabel.”

In a few words he related what had occurred.

Consul Edwards drummed upon the table with his fingers for several minutes. Then he rose to his feet.

“You must be right,” he said, “although it seems impossible. Are you armed?”

The others shook their heads. The consul left the room and returned a moment later with a revolver for each.

“We may not need them, but it’s best to be prepared,” he said grimly.

“What are you going to do?” asked Colonel Ashton.

“We shall go back and call on Hernandez. In my official capacity, of course, I could not do this, but I’m willing to take a chance. We’ll search the house from top to bottom.”

They did not enter the home of Hernandez by the manner in which they had gone before. Dick led the way to the place he had seen Captain Von Blusen enter, and tried the door.

To his surprise it opened easily, and Dick, with weapon ready, led the way in. From first one room to the other they went, Consul Edwards lighting the way with a pocket searchlight.

Suddenly Dick stooped and picked up something. The consul turned the light on it. It was a small handkerchief. Dick looked it over for a mark of identification. In the corner he saw two initials, “S. W.”

He passed it to Mr. Willing.

“Shirley’s!” exclaimed the latter, after a glance at it.

“We are on the right track,” declared the consul.

They continued the search of the house, but not a soul could they find. From top to bottom and back again they went, but the result, of course, was the same.

At last they were forced to give it up.

“I have it!” exclaimed Dick suddenly. “Von Blusen warned them and they have taken the girls some place else.”

“That’s it, of course,” said the consul. “Well there is nothing more we can do to-night, but I’ll promise to have the town raked with a fine-tooth comb the first thing in the morning. If they are here, we shall find them before noon.”

“But where can they be to-night?” demanded Mr. Willing anxiously.

The consul shrugged his shoulders.

“Quien sabe? as the natives say,” he replied. “However, you may make sure they are in no danger.”

With this the others were forced to be content, and Edwards led the way back to the consulate. Here he suggested cigars before all should turn in for the night, and they sat down to talk over the situation.

“I’ll have every house in town searched from top to bottom in the morning,” said the consul. “They must be here, so we shall of course find them.”

“I wish there was something we could do to-night,” declared Dick. “This inaction makes me restless.”

“It makes me that way too, young man,” declared Mr. Willing, “but the consul undoubtedly knows best. We shall leave it to him.”

Consul Edwards looked at Dick inquisitively.

“What I would like to have you tell me,” he said, “is why you suspected Hernandez in the first place?”

“I don’t know exactly,” replied Dick slowly. “But he is a shifty-eyed old villain, and can’t look at you. I have learned that a man like that is not to be trusted. I was morally certain he was lying. I don’t know why, but I just seemed to feel it.”

“Well, you figured it out and no mistake. I wouldn’t be surprised now to learn that Hernandez and Martinez are one and the same person.”

“They are!” came a voice from one of the open windows.

The four within the room started suddenly to their feet, and the consul advanced.

“Who and what are you?” he called, with his hand resting on his revolver. “Come out and show yourself.”

There was a sound of someone climbing in the window, and a moment later a man stood before them. Colonel Ashton, Mr. Willing and Dick leaped to their feet with cries of amazement.

The newcomer was Captain Von Blusen.

Dick took a quick stride forward, and his hand grasped the young German by the collar of his coat.

“I’ll guarantee you won’t get away this time,” he said grimly.

“Who are you and what do you want here?” demanded the consul, who had never seen the officer before.

“This,” said Dick to the consul, “is the man who gave the warning in time to allow the girls to be taken to some other hiding place.”

“Is that true, sir?” demanded the consul, taking a step forward.

Von Blusen nodded.

“It is,” he replied briefly.

“Then you shall answer to me for your part in this outrage,” declared Mr. Willing, advancing with great anger.

“And to me,” declared Colonel Ashton, also advancing.

Captain Von Blusen raised a hand.

“One moment, gentlemen,” he said calmly.

“Give the man a chance to speak,” said the consul. “He shall not get away, and I’ll give you my word he’ll do no further mischief. What have you to say for yourself?”

“Well, I can tell you where the two young ladies have been taken.”

“You can?” exclaimed the colonel eagerly. “Where?”

“Mazatlan!”

“Mazatlan? Where is Mazatlan?” demanded the consul.

“As to that I cannot say. They left on the train not half an hour ago.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. I followed to make certain, that I might tell you.”

“And why are you so interested in telling us?” asked Dick skeptically.

“For one reason, because Miss Willing saved my life no longer than an hour ago,” was the calm reply.

“It is true,” he continued, seeing that the others eyed him in amazement.

He then went into details of the scene that had occurred following his return to Hernandez after his fight with Dick in the street.

“But how are we going to find them in Mazatlan?” exclaimed Colonel Ashton.

“You might wire ahead and have them taken from the train,” suggested Dick.

“No, I have a better plan than that,” declared the consul.

“What is it?” asked the others eagerly.

“We’ll kill two birds with one stone. I’ll wire the American consular agent there to have them shadowed when they leave the train. Then we’ll not only be able to rescue the young ladies, but the Mexican authorities will nab the plotters.”

“An excellent plan,” declared Colonel Ashton. “Now how shall we get there?”

“There is not another train till morning,” said the consul, “but,” and a twinkle came into his eyes, “if you have the price, I can guarantee to have a special engine and one car ready to go within the hour, and I can promise a clear track ahead.”

“Let’s have it no matter what the cost!” roared Mr. Willing. “I want my girl back as soon as I can get her!”

“And so do I,” shouted Colonel Ashton.

CHAPTER XXVI.—IN MAZATLAN.

None of the occupants saw a man, who had been loitering about the station when the train pulled in, hail a second cab and come after them. This was the man who had been delegated to shadow them upon the request, by wire, of Consul Edwards at Acapulco.

To Shirley and Mabel it seemed that they rode through the streets of the city for hours before the cab stopped its bumping and drew up before a typical Mexican native house in the outskirts of the town. Hernandez and the two women climbed out, and the girls followed them into the house.

The man in the pursuing cab ordered his driver to halt while still some distance away. Then he dismissed the driver and approached the house afoot. He saw the five figures enter the dwelling and approached no nearer, but took a stand some distance away, where from time to time, he looked at his watch.

An hour passed, then two, and at length the man turned and walked away.

Inside the house Shirley and Mabel had been shown to a back room, the windows of which they saw were heavily barred. Mrs. Sebastian accompanied them.

“Now girls,” she said, “if you are quiet and make no trouble, I am sure that you will be freed before long.”

“You mean we won’t have to wait for ransom?” asked Shirley eagerly.

“No, I don’t mean that. But I am sure the money will be paid over within a day or two.”

“And we shall have to stay here all that time?”

“Yes. I wish I could interest you in our cause. You could do lots for us if you chose.”

“Thanks, but I don’t care to listen to the troubles of criminals,” declared Shirley.

The woman’s face turned red.

“You do us an injustice,” she replied. “What I have done has been for my country.”

“I thought you were a Spaniard,” interrupted Mabel.

“I am, on my mother’s side,” was the reply. “My father was a Mexican.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be mixed up in any such business,” declared Mabel. “I think you should be punished for the manner in which you got us in your power.”

“But it was for my country. Surely you can understand that?”

“No, I can’t understand it,” declared Shirley. “It’s robbery that you are attempting.”

The woman shrugged her shoulders.

“There is no use talking to you,” she said.

She went out of the room, locking the door behind her.

“Well, here we are,” said Mabel, with a wry look at her chum. “Now, what are we going to do?”

“I wish we could escape,” declared Shirley. “I’ll tell you what. The next time we hear any one coming, we’ll stand behind the door, and as soon as they come in we’ll slip out and run. If we can reach the street some one may help us.”

“There will be no harm trying,” Mabel agreed. “They won’t hurt us, I am sure.”

It was several hours later before they had the opportunity of putting their plan to the test.

“Quick! Here comes some one!” whispered Shirley.

She took her stand behind the door and Mabel joined her there. A key turned in the lock, and the door swung slowly inward. The girls were out of sight behind the door.

Mrs. Sebastian, being unable to see them, advanced into the room with a startled exclamation, and looked hurriedly about. Seizing a moment when the woman was looking the other way, Shirley, closely followed by Mabel, dashed from her place of concealment and out the door.

Mabel was just disappearing through the door when Mrs. Sebastian wheeled suddenly about and caught sight of her. The woman sprang forward with a cry, but Mabel, in passing, had seized the knob of the door and pulled it to after her.

It was the work of an instant to turn the key in the lock, and Mrs. Sebastian was safe in the girls’ recent prison.

“Now what?” said Shirley when Mabel had come up to her.

From the room they had just quitted a series of blows were rained on the door, and Mrs. Sebastian’s voice could be heard calling for help.

“No one knows she’s in there so if the disturbance is heard they’ll think it is us,” declared Mabel. “If we are silent and careful now, we may be able to get out.”

Shirley advanced cautiously and peered into the next room. Then she returned to Mabel.

“No getting out that way,” she whispered.

Mabel advanced and looked into the room beyond. In it sat Hernandez and his wife.

Shirley nodded her head.

“No, we can’t get out there,” she agreed.

The girls looked about for some other means of escape.

They now stood in what appeared to be a long and narrow hall, and at Shirley’s whispered suggestion they went back along it. Far to the rear they could see a faint beam of light and Shirley’s heart beat faster with renewed hope.

At last they came to a high window, through which the light streamed. It was out of reach of the girls, but Shirley found a chair which she dragged forth and mounted. Her shoulders now were on a level with the window.

The girl uttered an exclamation of satisfaction.

“What is it, Shirley?” asked Mabel breathlessly.

“We can get out here,” was the reply, “the window is not barred.”

“Hurry then,” cried Mabel anxiously. “I’ll come right after you.”

Shirley wasted no further words. She drew herself to the sill, and looked down. Then she shuddered slightly. It was a long drop, fully twenty feet.

But Shirley did not hesitate, for she realized that the jump must be taken. She lowered herself until she clung to the window with her hands, then released her hold and dropped.

She fell in a sprawling heap, and she felt a sharp pain in her ankle. In spite of this, she was up in an instant, however, and turned her eyes to the window, where Mabel’s head had just appeared.

The latter drew herself to the window sill, and then glanced down at the ground.

“I can’t do it, Shirley,” she exclaimed.

“Of course you can,” called her chum. “Lower yourself as far as you can and then drop.”

Mabel maneuvered about the window trying to get into such a position that she could lower herself. But her fright was such that she was afraid to loose her hold long enough to change her position. She looked down at Shirley helplessly.

“I tell you I can’t,” she declared.

“But you must, Mabel,” replied Shirley anxiously. “Hurry!”

Again Mabel moved about, but the result was the same.

“Mabel! Jump!” cried Shirley.

Mabel now began to cry, as she moved about a little on her perch.

“I—I—can’t, Sh-Shirley,” she said. “I am afraid!”

“My goodness!” muttered Shirley to herself. “What shall I do? I can’t climb back up there after her.”

She considered the matter for several moments, the while Mabel sat in the window and sobbed. Then Shirley reached a decision, and acted immediately.

“Quick, Mabel! Here comes Hernandez!” cried Shirley.

Mabel’s hesitancy and fright vanished on the instant. Quickly she lowered herself by her hands and dropped to the ground. She fell in a heap, but was unhurt and was up again in a moment.

“Where is he?” she asked.

Shirley was forced to laugh.

“I just said that to get you down,” she returned. “If I hadn’t you would have stayed up there all day.”

Mabel’s tension also relaxed, and the girls moved slowly away from the house, Shirley finding that her ankle had stopped hurting and was not even swollen.

“Where shall we go?” asked Mabel.

“American consulate, I reckon,” replied the girl, “if we can find it.”

“We must find it,” said Mabel firmly.

“Yes but how. Neither of us can speak Spanish.”

“Then we must find a Mexican who speaks English. We should have no trouble doing that.”

The girls had been walking along rapidly, for they wished to put as much space as possible between them and their recent prison; but at the same time they did not run for they did not wish to attract attention by the appearance of undue haste.

Suddenly there came a cry from behind. Unconsciously both girls stopped in their tracks and looked back over their shoulders. But one look was enough.

“Run!”

“Run!” cried Shirley in the same breath.

Dashing after them as fast as his stout body would permit, was Hernandez.

Shirley and Mabel wasted no time in deciding what was best to be done.

Keeping as close to each other as possible, they took to their heels and dashed madly along the street.

CHAPTER XXVII.—DICK IN PERIL.

“Have you found their refuge?” was Colonel Ashton’s first question after the introductions had been made.

“I followed a man, two women and two girls to a native house in the eastern extremity of the city,” was the reply. “I have no doubt they are the right ones.”

“Good,” returned the consul. “Now the first thing to do is to enlist the support of General Seauterey, the commandant of the city. Without him we can do practically nothing. But he will be glad to capture Hernandez.”

The consul took his departure, announcing that he would return as soon as possible.

Dick left the room announcing that he would take a little stroll outside. Mr. Willing enjoined him to be back by the time the consul returned.

Dick, thinking deeply, was unconscious of the passing of time and the distance which he had walked. At last he roused himself from his reverie and looked at his watch.

“Great Scott!” he exclaimed. “I have been gone more than an hour. I had better hurry back.”

He gazed about him, and saw that he was in an evil-looking part of the town. He swung about on his heel and set out in the direction from which he had come.

As he passed a narrow street, even dirtier-looking than the rest, an arm suddenly shot out and dealt him a blow across the head, knocking him to the ground.

Dick was stunned by the force of the blow, but he was by no means deprived of his coolness nor resourcefulness. He rolled over quickly several times, seeking to put as much distance as possible between himself and his unseen opponent, and then scrambled quickly to his feet.

Two men bore down on him. Short wiry Mexicans they were, and one held a knife in his hand. Dick took one look at them, then turned and ran.

But the force of the blow he had just received made it impossible for him to run far, and soon he turned, and with his back to the wall of a house, faced his adversaries.

Just out of striking distance the latter halted, and spoke to him in Spanish. Dick shook his hand, indicating that he did not understand.

“Speak English,” he said.

The men conversed together in low tones, then one of them spoke a single English word to Dick:

“Money!”

“Oh, I see,” said Dick, “you want my money, eh? Well, you won’t get it. I need it myself.”

He shook his head at the men, and they gesticulated angrily, one of them raising his knife. Then, with a cry, they sprang forward.

Dick was in a serious predicament and he realized it. But he determined to do his best. As the men closed on him, Dick struck out. One of the men staggered back.

At that moment there came the sound of pattering feet down the street. The men drew back. A second later two running figures came into sight, and Dick cried out in amazement.

The figures were Shirley and Mabel, and even as Dick recognized them a third form came into view, and this Dick immediately recognized as that of Hernandez.

“Shirley! Mabel!” called Dick.

The girls half halted in their stride, and then, with glad cries, came toward him.

The men who had attacked Dick, seeing the approach of another man, turned and made their way to the next corner, where they stood to watch developments.

Hernandez, perceiving that he had but one to contend with, and this a young man, advanced confidently. Shirley and Mabel had now reached Dick’s side, and the three faced the Mexican.

Without a word Hernandez’s hand went to his pocket, but Dick was too quick for him.

“No you don’t,” he cried, and sprang forward.

His right fist shot out with stunning force, and the Mexican rolled on the ground, his revolver, which he had succeeded in drawing, being hurled from his hand.

Dick quickly took each girl by the arm and urged them along.

“Hurry!” he cried.

What he feared came to pass.

Hernandez got quickly to his feet, and perceiving the men who had so recently attacked Dick, he beckoned them to him.

As the men came up, he waved his arm at the figures of the two girls and the young man.

“Catch them!” he shouted. “Reward!”

The men needed no further urging, but dashed after the three. Dick urged the girls along as swiftly as they could go, casting occasional glances over his shoulder. He hoped against hope that assistance would come from some quarter.

But not a sign of a native officer did he see. The few people they passed looked at them curiously, and must have realized the aspect of things by the noise of the pursuers, but none offered to lend a helping hand.

Several times Dick was on the point of turning back to face the pursuers, but he determined only to do this as a last resort to give the girls time to get away while he held the others back.

He led the girls sharply around a corner and they ran as fast as they could along the dirty street. But the pursuers were gaining, as Dick perceived by a quick glance over his shoulder. Then Dick made his decision.

As he rounded the next corner he whispered to the girls:

“Run hard!”

He released their arms and stopped, just out of sight from the pursuers.

A moment later they came into view, and Dick was upon them in an instant, striking right and left as swiftly as he could. Just as it seemed there was a chance of his overcoming his two foes, a third figure joined in the fray.

This was Hernandez himself, and he turned the balance in the favor of Dick’s enemies.

Shirley and Mabel had gone on a few feet when Dick had turned back, for they had not known what he was about to do. They missed him in a moment, however, and stopped to see what had become of him.

They saw the struggling knot of men, and Shirley cried:

“Oh! Dick will be hurt! What shall we do?”

“What can we do?” demanded Mabel. “Dick said to run. I guess we had better run.”

“And leave him there like that? I should say not.”

“But what can we do?” asked Mabel, in consternation.

“I don’t know. But I am not going to run away.”

And Shirley resolutely made her way back toward the fighters. Mabel followed.

But aid came for Dick even as it had for his first two enemies. And the aid was from an unexpected source.

“Hello!” exclaimed a voice in English. “What’s going on here?”

“Help!” cried Dick in English.

“An American, eh,” said the voice, “and three greasers attacking him with knives. Here goes.”

Dick felt his enemies give way before him, all but one, and this one he sent to the ground with a hard blow to the face. Then he gazed about. Nearby stood Shirley and Mabel, and upon the ground were the other two Mexicans. Dick looked at the man who had come to his rescue, and gave a cry of astonishment.

“Captain Anderson!”

The commander of the Yucatan was no less surprised. He surveyed Dick and the two girls critically.

“How in the name of all that’s wonderful did you all get together again and how did you beat me here?” demanded the captain.

Dick explained his arrival in a few words, and then Shirley took up the story.

“But we had no idea of the Yucatan was here,” said Dick.

“I landed not fifteen minutes ago,” replied the captain. “Of course a train runs faster than a boat, which is the reason you are here ahead of me. Now I guess you had better return aboard with me.”

“We’ll go to the consulate first,” declared Dick. “The others are probably still there.”

“Good idea,” replied the captain. “I was on my way there now.”

He led the way, and the others followed.

But when they reached there they learned, much to the disappointment of both girls, that neither the consul nor any of the others were about.

“Consul Harrington and his visitors accompanied General Seauterey and a squad of soldiers,” a clerk explained. “They left not fifteen minutes ago.”

“Too bad,” declared Captain Anderson. He turned to the girls. “Will you remain here or come aboard?” he asked.

“We’ll go aboard, thanks,” replied Shirley. “I want to get out of this city and this country. We can leave word with the clerk here, and Mabel’s father and mine will come aboard as soon as they return.”

“Right you are,” agreed Captain Anderson. He addressed the clerk. “When Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton return with the consul,” he said, “you tell them to come aboard the Yucatan immediately. I have important news for them.”

“Very well, sir,” said the clerk.

“Why didn’t you tell him to tell Dad we had been rescued?” asked Mabel.

“Why,” replied the captain with a smile, “I was saving that for a little surprise.”

CHAPTER XXVIII.—ALL ABOARD AGAIN.

“Dick is always turning up missing,” declared the colonel.

“But he always turns up safe again,” replied Mr. Willing.

“Oh, he’ll be back all right,” said the consul. “He can hardly have fallen into any danger this time.”

Fisher, the man who had trailed the conspirators to their lair, now summoned two automobiles, and the party climbed in. The trip to the house where the girls had been confined was made in record time, and a short distance away a halt was called.

General Seauterey and his men now took the lead, and surrounded the house. The general himself approached the door and knocked on it loudly. There was no response, but a second sharp knock brought a voice from behind the door. It was a woman’s voice and it said:

“What is wanted?”

“Open the door!” demanded the general.

“Who are you?”

“General Seauterey.”

There was an exclamation of dismay from within, and the sound of retreating footsteps. Again the general pounded on the door. There was no response and he called to two of his men.

“Break down the door,” he instructed them.

The heavy rifle butts of the soldiers crashed against the wood, shattering it. Several hard kicks and it was in splinters. With drawn revolver General Seauterey led the way.

Two soldiers, Mr. Willing, Colonel Ashton and Captain Von Blusen followed him. The others remained on guard without to prevent the escape of the fugitives.

Through the house strode the general, throwing wide the doors of the various rooms. And at last he brought up against another locked door. This was burst in as had been the first, and the general advanced first.

Came a shot from the room, and the general staggered back, then moved forward again. At the far side of the room were two figures, the general could just make out in the darkness.

“Hands up!” he cried.

“Don’t shoot!” came in a woman’s voice. “We surrender!”

“Come forward then,” said the general.

Two women, who proved to be Mrs. Hernandez and Mrs. Sebastian, advanced shrinking.

“Where is Hernandez?” demanded the general.

“He is not here,” was the reply. “We expect him back any moment.”

“Where is he?”

“He went after the two prisoners, who escaped.”

“Your prisoners have escaped?” demanded the general.

“Yes.”

The general turned to one of his men.

“Call the others within,” he ordered.

The other four troopers came into the house, followed by the Americans and the German captain. Mr. Willing was the first to see Mrs. Sebastian, and he sprang toward her.

“What have you done with my daughter, madam?” he demanded.

Mrs. Sebastian shrank back from him.

Colonel Ashton also stepped forward and angrily demanded that Mabel be produced at once. Then Mrs. Sebastian spoke.

“They have escaped!” she declared.

Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton were skeptical. Mrs. Sebastian saw that they did not believe her.

“It is true,” she declared. “They locked me in a room and jumped from a window. Hernandez has gone after them.”

“We’ll wait here for Hernandez to return,” decided General Seauterey. “We’ll get him when he comes back, and if he has the prisoners it will save us further search.”

None doubted that this was the best plan, and so all sat down to wait, General Seauterey meanwhile keeping watch at the door himself.

Suddenly he sprang to his feet.

“Here he comes—alone!” he cried.

He motioned his men to the door.

“He’ll run when he sees the broken door,” he said. “I’ll command him to halt. If he doesn’t obey, fire.”

It was as the general had predicted. When Hernandez saw the broken door, he stopped in surprise. Then he turned and would have run. General Seauterey stepped forward and shouted:

“Halt!”

Hernandez paid no heed.

“Fire!” cried the general.

Two puffs of smoke and two sharp cracks. Hernandez fell to the ground, but sat up in a moment and seized his left foot in his hand, at the same time moaning with pain.

“Good work, men!” cried the general. “Go and bring him here!”

Two of the soldiers obeyed, and Hernandez was soon in the house.

“Where are the two prisoners?” demanded the general.

Hernandez looked at him and sneered.

“Find out,” he said.

“So I will,” returned the general.

He motioned to his men.

“Bind the prisoners and put them in the car outside,” he ordered.

Then he led the way from the house.

“I shall have this man questioned more fully,” he said to the consul, “and I shall send you a message to the consulate within an hour. He will not fail to tell what he knows of the prisoners.”

With this Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton were forced to be content, although the anxiety of each was growing at every minute.

The Mexicans and their prisoners climbed into one of the automobiles, and the Americans and Captain von Blusen into the other. They were whirled back to the consulate.

The clerk addressed Mr. Willing.

“Captain Anderson, of the Steamship Yucatan, was here a few moments ago, sir,” he said. “He desires your presence aboard immediately. He says he has important news for you.”

“Regarding my daughter?” asked Mr. Willing eagerly.

“He didn’t say, sir,” replied the clerk.

“Come, Ashton,” cried Mr. Willing excitedly. “Perhaps Captain Anderson has learned something.”

“I shall accompany you,” said Captain von Blusen.

The others offered no objection and the three hurried away together, Mr. Willing telling Consul Harrington that they would let him know the result of their trip.

At the water front they were fortunate enough to find an unengaged boatman, who offered to put them aboard the Yucatan for a fair price.

“Never mind the price,” said Mr. Willing. “Hurry and get us there.”

The boatman wasted no time, and soon they were heading for the big steamship as fast as they could go.

Dusk was just falling as they went swiftly over the water, and none could but think what a pretty spectacle the great ship made with her thousands of electric lights shining brightly.

“And that’s the ship you attempted to get away with, Captain Von Blusen,” said Mr. Willing.

“Yes, and would have gotten away with but for Miss Ashton,” replied the captain. “However, I bear no ill will. It is the fortune of war.”

“And we bear you no ill will, captain,” declared Colonel Ashton. “It is true that you have made us considerable trouble, but I appreciate your position in the matter. I know that you were acting under orders.”