w?"

"None, except to get a boat and follow him. I'd give half a fortune if I
only had Jo and Tom here."

"And Juarez," put in Berwick.

"And Juarez, of course."

"Why not telegraph for them? It would only take a week for them to
come?"

"I'm afraid Broome would not wait for them to get here," answered Jim
with a smile. "Whatever we do has got to be done quick."

"I wonder what he is going to do with the senorita, anyway," went on
Berwick.

"Hold her for a ransom, I suppose," answered Jim. "I've got it!" he
cried, springing to his feet. "Come on."

"What now?" demanded Berwick.

"It's all right," replied Jim, "I'll explain as we go along."

"Glad of it," responded Berwick, "but I'm blessed if I see it."

"Why, you see," began Jim, but as he spoke a bellboy with a yellow
envelope in his hand came up to him.

"Telegraph for yo, sah," he said, handing the envelope to Jim.

"For me!" exclaimed Jim in surprise.

"Yes, sah," replied the boy. "Just done come."

Tearing open the envelope, Jim read the message with an exclamation of
surprised wonder.

"No bad news, I hope," interposed Berwick.

"On the contrary, it's more than good. Just what I was a moment ago
wishing for," replied Jim, handing him the slip. "What do you think of
that? Jo and Tom are actually on their way here. Why, and for what
purpose I don't know, but so it is."

"Of all things!" ejaculated Berwick. "What can it mean?"

"That luck is with us," said Jim. "We will get the Sea Eagle back yet."

"I hope so," replied the engineer, dubiously, "but--"

"Now, John, don't be bringing in any buts," retorted Jim. "Don't you
believe we can do it?"

"Haven't any doubt of it," returned Berwick, laughing heartily at Jim's
impetuous speech. "I was only going to say that Broome is a pretty tough
customer."

"We won't quarrel about that," admitted Jim, with a grin. "He is about
the toughest proposition we have been up against."

"Have you any plan in mind," went on Berwick.

"I think the first thing to do," answered Jim, "is to go and see Senor
de Cordova and learn what he has heard of the senorita."

"Why do you think he has heard anything?"

"If Broome is holding her for a ransom, as we believe, he will send word
to her father as to when and where to send the money."

"That seems reasonable," agreed Berwick.

"I propose to be there, and have a hand in the proceedings."

"Oh, you do! And how do you propose to get there?"

"Can't say y