"Well," commented Billie, with a nod of his head, "strange things do happen when you travel. Who'd have thought we'd ever see the old chap again, and at a time like this?" and he went back to where Adrian and Donald had stabled the horses, to see if there was anything he could do for the wounded animal. When Lieutenant Blunt was made acquainted with the conditions prevailing in the house, he immediately took possession of the lower floor and from that time on until the arrival of General Funston with the Fifth Brigade, it was made one of the official residences. The week following the occupation of Vera Cruz by the American forces was a busy one for our boys. Because of their intimate knowledge with the Spanish language, they were continually in demand. There was never a verbal message from the American Admiral to some Mexican official but what they were called upon, and they very soon made friends of every Jackie and marine in the city. Ten days later the boys stood upon the wharf awaiting the arrival of the first boatload of General Funston's regulars from the big transports which had anchored in the harbor the night before. Because of the shallowness of the water, everything in Vera Cruz harbor has to be brought ashore in small boats, known as lighters. As the boys watched the first of these to approach there was something in the face and bearing of the officer in command which attracted their attention. "By George!" exclaimed Donald, "I seem to know that face. Don't you, Billie?" "Does look kind o' familiar. Where have we seen him?" "I'll tell you!" cried Adrian. "It's the lieutenant who was in charge of the patrol on the Rio Grande." "Lieutenant Grant!" exclaimed Billie. "Sure as you're born. Well this is luck!" "Luck? What do you mean?" "Why, maybe he'll be able to tell me whatever became of those drafts for ten thousand pounds that I took from old Don Pablo." His companions laughed. "Still thinking about that, are you?" said Donald. "Why of course you'll never hear of them again. The bank is simply in that much." "Maybe so," admitted Billie, "but I'll get something official." And he did. It was several days later, though, after the regulars had taken possession of the city and the navy forces had withdrawn to their ships. The boys were sitting in Lieutenant Grant's quarters, to whom they had offered their services as soon after his landing as they were able, and were laughing over their adventures on the border. "It was certainly a close call you boys had," the lieutenant was saying. "I'm not sure but our neutrality was mighty near a breaking point. What do you think, Billie?" "Possibly so; Americans will be Americans. But say, Lieutenant, whatever was done about those drafts I took from Don Pablo? I've never been called upon to tell my story, nor have they ever come back to me."