at was the use of my saying anything about it?" asked Donald
of the other two boys when he returned to Santiago's house and
narrated to them the story of his evening's adventure. "I was
sure he was not there and I have no idea where he is; but we'll
find him and the ten thousand dollars given him by the Mexicans
for his treachery."

"That's right, Don," was Billie's comment. "If you can get that
money and I can get my ten thousand pounds, this trip won't be so
bad."

"In the meantime," said Adrian, "I propose that some of us go to
bed. It's nearly two o'clock and there is mighty little chance
that any one will try to steal the box again."

"I think you are right," said Billie. "We might as well all go.
The doctor is still with Santiago and will stay until he is
better. It isn't at all likely that any one will try to come into
this room while he is here."

Billie voiced the unanimous opinion, and a few minutes later the
young people had all sought their beds, leaving instructions with
the physician and the servants that they were to be called if any
change for the worse occurred in Santiago's condition.

It was probably two hours later, just about daylight, that the
entire household was awakened by a terrible shriek and one of the
maids rushed out into the patio.

The boys came to their feet with a bound and hurried from their
room on the ground floor, while the others appeared at the head
of the stairs.

"What is it?" asked Donald as soon as he could quiet the
shrieking maid. "What are you yelling about?"

"Oh, senor!" she cried. "I have seen the devil."

"Nonsense," laughed the boy. "You had a nightmare."

"No, senor. It was the devil. He had horns and a tail and he had
the little box under his arm. I saw him!"

"The box!" cried Billie. "Quick, Lucia, look and see if the box
is gone!"

The girl rushed back into the library and she, too, gave a
shriek.

"It's gone!" she cried. "It's gone!"

The boys sprang up the stairs three at a time and into the
library. Lucia was right. The box was gone.

"It must be the old boy, sure enough," said Billie, "or at least
one of his imps." Then to the maid: "How did he get in?"

"I don't know, senor. I only saw him go out. He went right
through the door without opening it."

"Nonsense!" from Donald. "His Satanic majesty might go through
a solid door, but the box wouldn't. There is some other
explanation."

"But who could it be?" queried Lucia in great fear.