Jim had had all kinds of experiences, but this was the first time that a woman's tongue had begun to be sharpened on him and he did not relish it in the least. He felt small and insulted, so mad that he began to see things zig-zag way and was tempted to do something rash, and in fact he did call out. "Never fear, Senorita, I will get you out of this place." He saw her clasp her hands and turn towards the door when the sight of her was eclipsed by the bulk of her jailer. "So it is you, Senor Jim, with the light head." "It isn't red anyhow," he replied with humorous indignation. "Ha, ha," she laughed, "you scored that time anyhow." Jim took this opportunity to throw his weight against the door with all his strength; it sagged, but the bar held. The woman was furious as she glared out at Jim. "I could throttle you, you sassy, long legged cub," she yelled, "only I got orders from the cap'n to stay in this here room, and I obeys him." She made a quick motion with her hand to a place near the jamb of the door. "Run, Senor, for your life," cried the poor demented woman; "the Devil and his dogs are coming." Jim saw that he must make his escape instantly or be caught helpless like a rat in a trap to be done to death. He fled with all his speed, and Jim was no slouch of a runner. Down the narrow stairway he sped, and along the hall to the second floor. The question was, could he reach the library where he had climbed in, before the gang in the banquet hall came rushing up the main staircase. The chances were against his doing this for the pursuers had only half the distance to go and they would be certain to respond to the alarm with much promptness. The Mexican dwarf was notorious for the swiftness of his attack, so that it looked bad for our friend Jim. He must reach that room or what would happen? CHAPTER XXII BRIAN DE BOIS GUILBERT There was just one thing that saved Jim at this juncture. It was an incident which he did not guess at the time and I am not sure that he became aware of it in later life, and yet there are reasons to surmise that he may have heard of it. As has not been related, the big guardian of the senorita in the cell high up in the tower, had started to give the alarm to the gang in the banquet hall by pressing a button near the door. James Darlington had seen her make the move to ring, and his alarm had been added to by the cry of warning from the crazy woman. He had to run for his life as the reader well knows.