same place, had dismounted
his men, surrounded town and farms, and was closing in, when Driscoll
himself fell among them.

The interview between Dupin and Lopez brewed stormy at first. The latter
turned gray under his ruddy skin when Dupin walked in upon him in the
front room of the farmhouse. But seeing that his own men were holding
Driscoll, he nervously congratulated them upon the capture.

"How did he escape this second time?" demanded the Frenchman. "It seems
to me, mon colonel, that the question would occur to you too."

Lopez was sufficiently alive to his peril. He quickly sent two Dragoons
to the temporary guard house to investigate. Dupin curtly ordered two
Cossacks to accompany them. Soon they brought back the sentinel who had
been conveniently asleep when Driscoll slipped past. The sentinel rubbed
his eyes as he faced Lopez. So far everything had passed according to
arrangement, and he looked for a severe mock examination. But the Tiger
had been left out of the calculations, and the Tiger forthwith
shouldered himself into the inquisition.

"Do you understand, Colonel Lopez, that your guard here was asleep? Si,
senor, asleep! What now, mon colonel, is the little custom as to guards
who sleep?"

Lopez glared at the sentinel. It was a fine simulation of outraged
discipline, and so life-like that when he spoke of a court martial, the
culprit weakened. He opened his mouth. At that Lopez's stern anger
became real. He feared the sentinel would tell all he knew.

"Si senor," cried Lopez, "we don't have to be taught, we Mexicans. We
shoot them. Here, six of you, out with him! Quick, before he can whine!"

"Go with them," added Dupin quietly to six of his Cossacks.

The sentinel was dragged out. His cries, whether for mercy or not, were
smothered first by a sabre belt, and then for all time by musketry. The
Cossacks returned and assured their chief that the execution was bona
fide. This allayed Dupin's suspicions.

"Permit me to suggest, Colonel Lopez," he said courteously, "that you
likewise honor our friend the American. I came from the City to do it
myself, but it is a pleasure to give way before your superior
vigilance."

It had already occurred to Lopez that Driscoll also might talk. "You are
very amiable, Senor Dupin," he replied. "My court martial found him
guilty, and as a matter of fact, he would have paid the penalty by now
had Your Mercy not arrived. Between us, Colonel Dupin, he will hardly
esc