be good enough to come out?" Darrin called, keeping
his eye on the two guards, who stood glowering sullenly at him.
He had not drawn his revolver, and did not wish to do so.

The door was cautiously opened and a man's head appeared. One
look at Dave and the door was flung wide by a tall, serious-eyed
man whose hair was gray at the temples.

"Come," he called to those behind him. "I see the uniform of
our own Navy. I never paid much attention to it before, but at
thus moment it's the most welcome sight in the world."

Head erect, shoulders thrown back, an expression of deep gratitude
in his eyes, John Carmody stepped out into the hallway.

Behind him was a middle-aged woman, followed by two pretty girls.
Then came another woman, younger than the first, who led two
boys, one of four years, the other of six.

"I was sent here," Dave announced, cap in hand, "to find and rescue
John Carmody, his wife and two sons, and a Mrs. Deeming and her
two daughters."

"We are they," Mr. Carmody declared.

"Do you know of any other prisoners, Americans or otherwise, who
are held here by the bandits, sir?" Ensign Darrin inquired.

"I do not know of any other captives here," replied Mr. Carmody,
promptly. "In fact, I do not believe there are any others."

"Mr. Carmody, if you will lead your party down the stairs and
through the hallway to the room at the end of the passage, I will
bring up the rear of this little American procession."

Mr. Carmody obeyed without hesitation. One after another the
trembling women followed, Mrs. Carmody leading her two young sons.

Out in the hallway Mr. Carmody caught sight of the sailors, who
stood revealed in the light of the room, as with watchful eyes
they held the seven Mexicans at bay.

"Mr. Carmody," called Dave, just before he entered that room,
"I will ask you to lead your party out of doors. You will find
other American sailors there, sir."

Entering the room, Dave stood, cap still in hand, until the last
of the American women had passed into the open. Then, replacing
his cap, the young naval officer turned to the Mexican who had
spoken to the others and who now stood sullenly eyeing the sailors.

"I have carried out my orders," Dave declared, in Spanish. "I
regret that I have no authority to punish you as you deserve.
Instead, therefore, I will wish you good night."

Signing to his sailors to pass out before him, Dave was the last
to leave the room. All four of the yo