Megales shrugged. "One of the penalties of fame is that one gets credit
for much he does not deserve. There was your immortal General Lincoln,
a wit so famous in your country that every good story is fathered upon
him, I understand. So with your humble servant. Let a man accomplish
his vendetta upon the body of an enemy, and behold! the world cries: 'A
victim of Megales.'"

"Still, if you deserve your reputation as much as our immortal General
Lincoln deserves his, the world may be pardoned for an occasional
error." O'Connor turned to the warden. "What does he mean by saying that
he is my prisoner? Have you a message for me from O'Halloran, colonel?"

"It is his desire, senor, that, pending the present uncertain state of
public opinion, you accept the command of the prison and hold safe all
persons detained here, including his excellency and General Carlo. He
desired me to assure you that as soon as is possible he will arrive to
confer with you in person."

"Good enough, and are you a prisoner, too, colonel?"

"I did not so understand Senor O'Halloran."

"If you're not you have to earn your grub and lodgings. I'll appoint
you my deputy, colonel. And, first off, my orders are to lock up his
excellency and General Carlo in this cell till morning."

"The cell, Senor O'Connor, is damp and badly ventilated," protested
Gabilonda.

"I know that a heap better than you do, colonel," said Bucky dryly. "But
if it was good enough for me and my pardner, here, I reckon it's good
enough for them. Anyhow, we'll let them try it, won't we, Frank."

"If you think best, Bucky."

"You bet I do."

"And what about the governor's daughter?" asked Gabilonda.

"You don't say! Is she a guest of this tavern?"

The colonel explained how they had reached the prison and the
circumstances that had led to their hurried flight, while the ranger
whistled the air of a cowboy song, his mind busy with this new phase of
the case.

"She's one of these here Spanish blue-blooded senoritas used to guitar
serenades under her window. Now, what would you do with her in a jail,
Bucky?" he asked himself, in humorous dismay; but even as he reflected
on it his roving eye fell on his friend. "The very thing. I'll take
Curly Haid in to her and let them fall in love with each other. You're
liable to be some busy, Bucky, and shy on leisure to entertain a lady,
let alone two."

And so he arranged it. Leaving the former governor and General Carlo in
the