ath to Megales!" repeated the governor, after
the shouts reached them.

"I fear, Senor Dictator, that your pledge to see me across the frontier
will not avail against that mad-dog mob." He smiled, waving an airy hand
toward the window.

The Irishman set his bulldog jaw. "I'll get you out safely or, begad!
I'll go down fighting with you."

"I think we are likely to have interesting times, my dear dictator. Be
sure I shall watch your doings with interest so long as your friends
allow me to watch anything in this present world." The governor turned
to his desk and continued the letter with a firm hand. "I think this
should relieve you of responsibility, colonel."

By this time General Carlo had reentered the room, with a crestfallen
face.

O'Halloran had been thinking rapidly. "Governor, I think the safest
place for you and General Carlo, for a day or two, will be in the
prison. I intend to put my friend O'Connor in charge of its defense,
with a trustworthy command. There is no need of word reaching the mob as
to where you are hidden. I confess the quarters will be narrows but--"

"No narrower than those we shall occupy very soon if we do not accept
your suggestion," smiled Megales. "Buertos! Anything to escape the
pressing attentions of your friends outside. I ask only one favor, the
loan of a revolver, in order that we may disappoint the mad dogs if they
overpower the guard of Senor O'Connor."

Hastily O'Halloran rapped out orders, gathered together a little force
of five men, and prepared to start. Both Carlo and Megales he furnished
with revolvers, that they might put an end to their lives in case the
worst happened. But before they had started Juan Valdez and Carmencita
Megales came running toward them.

"Where are you going? It is too late. The palace is surrounded!" cried
the young man. "Look!" He swept an excited arm toward the window. "There
are thousands and thousands of frenzied people calling for the lives of
the governor and General Carlo."

Carlo shook like a leaf, but Megales only smiled at O'Halloran his
wintry smile. "That is the trouble in keeping a mad dog, senor. One
never knows when it may get out of leash and bite perhaps even the hand
that feeds it."

Carmencita flung herself, sobbing, into the arms of her father and
filled the palace with her screams. Megales handed her over promptly to
her lover.

"To my private office," he ordered briskly. "Come, general, there is
still a chance."