Part 30 (1/2)

”What do you mean?” asked Bob.

”Well, Dad,” said Jack, turning to his father, ”didn't you say Don Fernandez comes to call on you before retiring?”

”Yes, we have become good companions. He guards me carefully, keeps me a prisoner for his own ends, but he is a cultured man and we have much in common.”

”Father says,” a.s.serted Bob, ”that you are being held prisoner in order to make trouble between the United States and the Mexican government.”

”He is correct,” approved Mr. Hampton. ”Don Fernandez has not attempted to conceal from me that that is his desire. He sent a demand for a preposterous ransom, merely in order to precipitate action at Was.h.i.+ngton, and he has been wondering why no action was taken.”

”Well, that's what father thought,” declared Bob. ”So he has kept the matter of your being kidnapped a secret. Instead of appealing to our government, we set out to rescue you. Father says we must do our utmost to avert trouble between Mexico and the United States.”

”So that accounts for many things,” said Mr. Hampton. ”I'm glad to have them cleared up. But we are forgetting your idea, Jack. What is it?”

”Simply that we capture Don Fernandez and make him release us all under a guarantee of safe conduct,” said Jack.

”You see,” he added, ”Bob and I are both armed, and we can do it.”

”Good for you, Jack,” said Bob.

”I believe it can be done,” said Mr. Hampton. ”And here,” he added, listening, ”comes our opportunity, if I am not mistaken. You boys get behind the four-poster and wait until I give you your cue.”

Noiselessly Mr. Hampton closed the door, as the boys went into hiding.

Then the older man resumed his seat by the table, picked up his book, and appeared to be reading.

Quick, light footsteps sounded on the landing outside. There was a pause, while Don Fernandez searched his pockets for the key to the door. Unable to find it, he turned as if to depart. To three pairs of ears, straining to hear his every movement, the interpretation was clear. He believed he had locked the door and lost the key and was about to depart. Mr. Hampton saved the situation by raising his voice, and calling:

”Is that you, Don Fernandez? Will you not honor me by coming in? I am eager to learn what has occurred.”

The Don decided to try the door. To his surprise, it opened to his touch. ”I must have forgotten to lock it in my haste,” he muttered, and stepped into the room.

”Government troops,” he said, advancing, ”They thought to surprise us but we have beaten them off decisively.” He sat down heavily. ”It has been strenuous work,” he said. ”But that is over. Now to find the a.s.sa.s.sin, if he has not already escaped.”

”a.s.sa.s.sin?” queried Mr. Hampton, in genuine surprise. He had not been told the Don's belief regarding Jack.

”Yes,” said Don Fernandez, violently. ”That miserable Obregon.” And he proceeded to relate his version of Jack's arrival.

”Oh, but you are mistaken,” said Mr. Hampton, coolly. ”That was no a.s.sa.s.sin, but my son. He came to attempt to rescue me.”

Don Fernandez leaped to his feet, as if shot upward by a spring.

”Your son?” he cried. ”Came to rescue you? Preposterous. Then, why are you here?”

”Because,” said Jack, stepping from hiding, with revolver leveled, ”I wanted to meet you.”

”Yes, and so did I,” said Bob, not to be outdone, as he emerged, also with leveled weapon, from the other side of the four-poster.

Mr. Hampton quickly slipped the key into the lock of the door, turned it and drew back. Don Fernandez saw the action. He glared from one to the other of the three, and then sat down with a resigned shrug of the shoulders.

”You wanted to meet me?” he said. ”I am honored. But, Mr. Hampton, there is not only one son but two!”