by Roy J. Snell
CHAPTER XXIV.--FLIGHT.
When Mrs. Sebastian entered the room where Shirley and Mabel were heldprisoners, followed by Captain Von Blusen, she immediately addressed herfellow conspirators.
"This," she said, indicating the German officer, "is Captain Von Blusen,a German naval officer. He informs me that he is seeking, for hisgovernment, a naval base on the Pacific. In return for this the Germangovernment will pay handsomely."
"In that event," replied the Mexican, who it now developed was noneother than Miguel Martinez, "we may do business. Take a seat, senor."
Von Blusen did so, and for the first time his eyes fell upon the twogirls.
"Miss Ashton! Miss Willing!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"We are prisoners," replied Shirley bitterly.
"Why?" demanded the captain.
"Held for ransom," replied Shirley.
The captain smiled.
"A good idea," he said turning to the others. "An excellent manner inwhich to raise money, providing you are not caught."
"I was not aware that you were acquainted with these young ladies," saidMrs. Sebastian.
"Oh, yes indeed! I know them well," was the reply. "In fact I have alittle score to settle with them myself. One of our best laid plans wasfoiled because of them."
"So?" queried Martinez. "Will you explain, captain?"
"With pleasure."
The captain did so, and the others listened with amazement to the storyof the plot to capture the _Yucatan_, and its ultimate outcome.
"They are smart girls," declared Mrs. Sebastian, "but this time Ibelieve 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 someone to rescue us."
"Do you suppose there is anything in what Captain Von Blusen gave as hisreason 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 wifereentered 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 sakesthat 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 Americanconsul was without, accompanied by two strangers, and that he desiredimmediate communication with Senor Hernandez.
"Well, they are on the trail," said Martinez, with a laugh. "I wonderwhat the consul would think if he knew that Hernandez and Martinez wereone and the same person. Well, I shall see the consul. You be very quietin here, for you know how sounds carry in this house."
Mrs. Sebastian nodded, and Martinez, alias Hernandez, made his way fromthe 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 wasstartled for a moment, though. There was a little whipper-snapper withthe two Americanos--Senor Stanley is his name--and he accused me ofknowing the whereabouts of the prisoners. I denied it, and ConsulEdwards rebuked him and sent him from the room."
At this moment there came footsteps running rapidly down the hall, and amoment 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 anaccount of yourself."
"I was walking along the street," said Von Blusen, "when I came acrossone 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. Hewas 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 havebotched his plans as you have ours, he would have you shot. Come," heturned to the two women, "the game is up. We shall have to fly. If theAmericano has followed this man here, my connection must soon bediscovered. 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 tothe girls.
"Put on your hats," he said gruffly.
The girls obeyed without a word, for they could see the man was veryangry.
Then he turned to Captain Von Blusen.
"As for you," he said, "you keep out of my sight in the future. Approachme 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 seizedthe arm that held the revolver.
Hernandez whirled on her angrily, but as he did so, Captain Von Blusensprang forward and struck the man a heavy blow on the head with hisfist. Hernandez toppled over.
Captain Von Blusen turned to the girls.
"I can do you no good here," he said hurriedly. "I'll tell your friendswhere 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 reachedthe door, the two women reappeared. Mrs. Sebastian took in the situationwith a quick glance and bent over Hernandez, who was now stirringfeebly. 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 tolose."
Hernandez staggered to his feet, and his gaze rested on Shirley. He tooka 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 saidquietly. "Please remember that."
As Hernandez still seemed on the point of trying to get at Shirley, thewoman suddenly produced a revolver, which she levelled directly at him.
"Stand back!" she cried. "Haven't you any sense? Don't you know whatwould 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 thata closed cab was at the door.
Hernandez led the way, and Mrs. Sebastian motioned for the girls tofollow 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 itsway and then it came to a stop.
"Not a word!" ordered Hernandez of the two girls, as he prepared toalight.
The girls had sense enough to obey this injunction and went into thelittle station, dimly lighted, and boarded the waiting train without somuch 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 couldnot be certain, but she felt po
sitive that the man was Captain VonBlusen.
Captors and captives took seats at the rear end of the last car, wherethey sat in silence until the train began to move. Then, for the firsttime, 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 thereply, "and it will not be to his interests to interfere with us."
Shirley and Mabel now found themselves able to converse without beingoverheard by the others.
"I saw Captain Von Blusen in the station as we climbed aboard," saidShirley.
"Do you think he will help us?" asked Mabel.
"I don't know, but some way I feel that he will. He seemed sincereenough 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," declaredShirley.
"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.
