believe they were signals, and--look--look! Isn't that Captain
Dynamite himself coming out of the shadow further up the street?"

"It certainly looks like him," gasped Bert, "but who is that with him
and how does he dare to walk openly in the streets?"

"It's the Spanish interpreter," whispered Harry, after a minute's
inspection; "and--and Captain Dynamite, sure. Hooray."

"Don't hooray yet," said Bert, wagging his head disconsolately.
"Remember there are more Spaniards in the shadow there."

"Yes, if they are Spaniards."

"And see how closely the interpreter walks. Can Captain Dynamite be a
prisoner?"

"Not of that little man," sniffed Harry. "Look at the size of him beside
O'Connor."

The two men whom the boys had seen in the distance were indeed O'Connor
and Villamonte. They came on through the bright moonlight apparently as
unconcerned as if there were not a price on the head of one. And they
walked as close together as bosom friends, but a pistol in the coat
pocket of Captain Dynamite pressed closely against the side of his
companion.

"Now you are sure you know your part, Monte?" said O'Connor, as they
neared the prison.

"Sure, your excellency."

"And you know what it means to play any tricks, do you?" As he spoke
O'Connor emphasized his remark by jabbing the muzzle of the pistol into
Villamonte's ribs.

"Surely your excellency can trust me," quaked the interpreter.

"Yes, under the circumstances. You also want to recollect that I
understand Spanish, so you cannot fool me in that way--- and my finger
is always on the trigger. At the first word or sign of warning off it
goes. Now take that scared expression off and look pleasant; we are
nearly there."

At the door of the prison they were met by a Spanish officer, who
received Villamonte with great deference and looked wonderingly at
O'Connor, who wore his cloak and sombrero so that little of his face was
visible.

"Now you've got your cue," said O'Connor, in English, in a low tone, at
the same time pressing the pistol harder into Villamonte's side.

"We come from General Serano," said the interpreter reluctantly. "He
wishes the American boys removed secretly to the government house, as he
anticipates a plot to release them."

The officer bowed and Villamonte and O'Connor passed into the jail.

"Do you wish your escort to enter also?" asked the officer.

Villamonte turned in surprise and saw eight men close upon their heels,
but as he quick