“The call to arms, general. It means that the old régime is at an end in Chihuahua. _Viva Valdez_.” “Not without a struggle,” cried the general, rushing out of the room. O’Halloran laughed. “I’m afraid he will not be able to give the countersign to Garcia. In the meantime, excellency, pending his return, I would suggest that you notify Colonel Gabilonda to turn over the prison to us without resistance.” “You hear your new dictator, colonel,” said Megales. “Pardon me, your excellency, but a written order—” “Would relieve you of responsibility. So it would. I write once more.” He was interrupted as he wrote by a great shout from the plaza. “_Viva Valdez!_” came clearly across the night air, and presently another that stole the color from the cheek of Megales. “Death to the tyrant! Death to Megales!” repeated the governor, after the shouts reached them. “I fear, Señor Dictator, that your pledge to see me across the frontier will not avail against that mad-dog mob.” He smiled, waving an airy hand toward the window. The Irishman set his bulldog jaw. “I’ll get you out safely or, begad! I’ll go down fighting with you.” “I think we are likely to have interesting times, my dear dictator. Be sure I shall watch your doings with interest so long as your friends allow me to watch anything in this present world.” The governor turned to his desk and continued the letter with a firm hand. “I think this should relieve you of responsibility, colonel.” By this time General Carlo had reentered the room, with a crestfallen face. O’Halloran had been thinking rapidly. “Governor, I think the safest place for you and General Carlo, for a day or two, will be in the prison. I intend to put my friend O’Connor in charge of its defense, with a trustworthy command. There is no need of word reaching the mob as to where you are hidden. I confess the quarters will be narrows but—” “No narrower than those we shall occupy very soon if we do not accept your suggestion,” smiled Megales. “_Buenos!_ Anything to escape the pressing attentions of your friends outside. I ask only one favor, the loan of a revolver, in order that we may disappoint the mad dogs if they overpower the guard of Señor O’Connor.” Hastily O’Halloran rapped out orders, gathered together a little force of five men, and prepared to start. Both Carlo and Megales he furnished with revolvers, that they might put an end to their lives in case the worst happened. But before they had started Juan Valdez and Carmencita Megales came running toward them. “Where are you going? It is too late. The palace is surrounded!” cried the young man. “Look!” He swept an excited arm toward the window. “There are thousands and thousands of frenzied people calling for the lives of the governor and General Carlo.”