shment. "In trouble? Lieutenant, these gentlemen are friends
of mine. May I ask you what this means?"

Tom was not deceived by this by-play. He snorted mildly while
the young army lieutenant explained why he had detained the engineers.

"But these gentlemen are friends and employes," Don Luis explained.
"What they tell you about Gato is quite true. Will you oblige
me by releasing these gentlemen, Lieutenant."

The young officer seemed to hesitate.

"It's all a part of the comedy," whispered Tom, and Harry nodded.

"I--I will let these Americanos go, for the present, Don Luis,"
suggested the lieutenant, "provided you will take them back to
your estate, and agree to be responsible for them if they are
wanted.

"Thank you very much, Lieutenant. I will readily undertake that,"
agreed Montez, smiling. "Then come, Senores Reade and Hazelton,
and I will interrupt my journey to take you back to safety under
a hospitable roof."

"I don't know that I wouldn't rather go with the soldiers," Harry
muttered to his chum.

"No!" murmured Reade. "I've heard too much about these Mexican
prisons to care anything about going to one. I reckon we'd better
go with Don Luis. After we've rid ourselves of military guard,
and have reached the Montez estate, we are at least released from
our word of honor not to attempt an escape. I guess, Harry, we
had better take up with Don Luis's rascally offer."

"Well, _caballeros_, does it need much discussion to enable you
to accept my kindness?" called Montez, banteringly.

"Not at all, Don Luis," Tom made answer. "We're going with you--with
the lieutenant's consent."

The young lieutenant bowed his agreement. Tom and Harry lifted
their hats lightly to the officer, then stepped into the tonneau
of the car.

"Home," said Don Luis.

The chauffeur made a quick turn, and the car speedily left the
camp behind.

"I have often heard, gentlemen, that foreigners have difficulty
in understanding our laws," observed Don Luis. He spoke affably,
but mockery lurked in his tones. "Without realizing it you two
have committed a serious offense against our laws. You have ventured
to arrest a Mexican citizen."

Nicolas, who sat in front with the chauffeur, sat as stiff and silent
as though he had been a figure of stone.

"What will be the outcome of this adventure, under the law?" Tom
inquired, dryly.

"It would need one of our judges to say that," replied Don Luis,
shrugging his sho