d yesterday; and you may also inform him that our
situation is known to our friends by this time, and that he will be held
to a strict accounting by Uncle Sam for this outrage upon two American
citizens."

"You have communicated with your friends--how?"

The genial smile on the man's face faded into a look of surprise and
anxiety. He glanced quickly around the room to see if there was any
means by which they could have communicated with the outside world.

"That is another one of those questions that we claim the privilege of
refusing to answer."

"I will deliver your message, but I warn you that it will not be well
for you to arouse the anger of General Serano. He fears no one."

"It is entirely up to the general whether he gets angry or not. I really
do not see any necessity for it."

"Will you send any message to Consul Wyman?"

"No--yes, come to think of it, I should like to speak to Mr. Wyman.
Will you ask him if it will be too much trouble for him to see us here?"

"General Serano will be pleased to furnish you with an escort to the
consul's. The air will do you good this morning."

"When I go to the American consul I shall go without an escort, as you
call it--guard I think would be more like it."

The man shrugged his shoulders.

"I will send your message to the consul," he said.

"What do you want of the consul, Hal?" asked Bert, when the man had
gone.

"He is a part of my secret-passage plot, but I do not know whether he
will be game or not."

Mr. Wyman did not keep them waiting long. He bustled in behind the
turnkey and greeted them heartily.

"Good morning, boys," he said. "I understand you want to see me. I hope
you have changed your minds and will now sensibly answer the general's
questions and set yourselves at liberty."

"No, Mr. Wyman, we will never do that--at least not until we know that
the one we might injure by so doing is quite safe. We did think,
however, sir, that we would like to take you into our confidence."

"The best thing you can do, boys. I may be able to help you out of your
trouble; at least, I can act with more intelligence in your interests."

"Yes, sir, so we thought," answered Harry meekly, glancing at Bert, who
sat open mouthed, utterly in ignorance of Harry's plans. "Do you think
there is any chance of our being disturbed?" he continued, looking at
the door.

"None whatever. The man with the key will not open the door until I rap
three times."

"Very well