“It would be impossible,” said the first speaker, anxiously; “if the arms are found here and afterward the plan of battle shows that Ruiz massed his attacking column on this hill when I have informed the American minister that Tortuga Hill was the real objective, you see how black a case they would have against me. One small seed of suspicion sown at this time and I am lost.” “But the president doesn’t know that you gave this information to the minister,” retorted Juarez. “But,” said the other voice promptly, “the minister would be quick to clear himself by informing on me. The arms must not be taken. You must go at once.” “So I must risk my life to save yours; is that it?” questioned Juarez bitterly. “You are in my pay; why shouldn’t you take this risk? If I lose, the money for your work can never be paid.” There was silence for some minutes. Phil had almost made up his mind to crawl back down the tunnel, but he realized instantly that the noise they could not avoid making would draw their enemies’ fire and defeat his design of getting the soldiers to again enter the tunnel and charge room beyond. His better course was to remain where he was. If they attacked they might injure their companion who was there with these two scheming villains. The first speaker’s voice sounded again after the pause. “I came here in my automobile. Can you run it?” “Yes,” answered Juarez promptly. “My chauffeur is awaiting me at the foot of La Mesa near Sanchez’s Villa,” continued the other. “If you could reach the car you could run the guards on the El Poso road. Just before you get to the outpost slow the machine as if you were stopping; then throw in the high gear and advance the spark to the limit. The soldiers will be too astonished to hit you even if they fire, and you will be in safety before they can fire more than one shot each.” “Where is Pedro?” asked Juarez. “You and he must remain here and guard the arms. As long as you fire down the tunnel the soldiers will be afraid to enter the cellar. The American midshipmen will urge them to return, but your shots will prevent their courage from returning into their yellow hearts. I am sick of these natives; they must be driven like sheep. The more I see of their valor the more I am convinced that the city is ours if we can gain and mount these machine guns.” “Pedro and I shall remain here,” the other answered; “he is not badly wounded; it is but a flesh wound on the arm. He is now above in the other house watching the soldiers from one of the windows.” “Help me with this American pig,” Juarez’s voice said cruelly. “I’ll put on his uniform, and if I am fortunate enough not to meet one of the Americans I can deceive the soldiers; they do not know me.” The lads heard O’Neil’s unresisting body dragged about and knew that Juarez was divesting the sailor of his uniform. “I’d like to finish him,” said Juarez savagely, but the other objected.