Jo. "We'll get enough fun
out of the trip to pay for that."

"When do you want to start?" asked Jim.

"I'm ready now. If you are, I think we can get off within a day or two."

"I would like to go with you," went on Jim, "but there is something I
would like to attend to first."

"May I ask what that is?" inquired the professor.

Whereupon Jim told him of the seizing of the Sea Eagle, and of the
abduction of the Senorita de Cordova.

"Broome!" exclaimed the professor, when Jim had concluded, "is that old
rascal mixed up in that?"

"Do you know him?" asked Jim in turn.

"A little," replied the professor, dryly. "He tried to work off some of
his little tricks on me, but I wasn't to be caught napping. Do you
happen to know a particular friend of his, one called Manuel?"

"Ugh!" broke in Berwick. "Don't speak of that incarnation of wickedness
or I shall begin to smell brimstone. I'd rather contend with his satanic
majesty, himself."

The professor made no comment, but asked, "Have you any plans?"

"Nothing definite," answered Jim, "except to get to the place where the
girl is to be returned and see that the bargain is carried out."

"Good!" agreed the professor. "That is the first step, of course. Now,
if you want us, I and my boat are at your service."

Jim sprang to his feet. "Oh, thank you!" he exclaimed enthusiastically,
"we shall be ever indebted."

"Don't mention it," returned the professor. "I have a little score to
settle with Broome, myself. I have reason to think he is after me. In
some way he has found out about the mine and the map that I have and he
is ready to resort to any measures to get possession of it. So you think
San Matteo is the place appointed?"

"I feel sure of it."

"Where are you stopping?" continued the professor.

"At the Commercial Hotel," replied Jim.

"Well, then we won't waste any more time. Suppose you meet me at the
foot of Market street to-morrow morning at six o'clock. We will then go
on board of the Storm King and be ready to take up the chase at once if
the emergency arises. It is late now, too late for you to go aboard, so
I will arrange for Jo and Tom to stay here to-night." Then to Jim and
Juarez he added:

"Good-night, and remember to-morrow it's six o'clock sharp."

"Good-night," responded those addressed. "We'll be there."

A room adjoining that occupied by the professor was secured for the boys
and their baggage was brought up from the office where it had