"That's because you were out of the United States," replied Lieutenant Grant. "It was less than a month ago that I was asked if I knew your whereabouts. Uncle Sam has decided that he has no claim to the drafts and they were returned to me. I have them in my army chest. If they are any good to you, I shall be pleased to hand them over." "I guess they are not much use to any one," sighed Billie mournfully. "My father says no bank would cash them without Don Pablo's signature, and no one can get that." "I'm glad you take it so philosophically," laughed the lieutenant. "I hope you'll have better luck next time." The boys arose to leave. "Which way?" asked the lieutenant. "No place in particular. We thought we'd go home." "You mean to the United States?" "Not to-night," laughed Adrian. "Just to the house where we are living. It belongs to old Santiago." "Who is he?" Briefly the boys narrated what they knew about him on the Rio Grande, how they had met him here, and why they were staying at his house. "Has he no other name?" "Why, yes, I suppose so," replied Billie. "We always call him Prince to his face, and his daughter as the Princess Lucia. Of course, it is all make-believe, but it is one way of keeping him quiet." He called to one of Santiago's servants, whom Lucia had lent them to look after their horses. "Oh, Chomo!" he said. "Do you know what Santiago's surname is?" "Si, senor. It is Ojeda." "What?" cried all the boys at once. "Ojeda? Why, that was old Don Pablo's name." The boys stood and eyed each other in speechless wonder. The same thought was in all their minds. "Do you think it is possible?" asked Billie at last. "Do I think what is possible?" asked Lieutenant Grant. "Why, that Santiago could have given those drafts to the stranger so as not to be known in the matter." "Possibly. He seems a man of mystery." "Well," declared Billie, "I am going to find out." "How, I should like to know," asked Donald. "He's too crazy to remember anything, even if he wanted to tell you." "You forget Lucia," said Billie. "Oh, no, I haven't," laughed Donald, "and I have no doubt she would tell you all about it if she knew; but I do not believe she does. Santiago is too deep to have entrusted his secrets to a girl not yet out of her teens." "You never can tell," remarked the lieutenant. "Men with a hobby do strange things. You'd better ride along with me to headquarters. I'd like to introduce you to General Funston. He's a man after your own hearts. You know how he went out and captured Aguinaldo when he was in the Philippines." "I've read about it," replied Adrian. "It was a bold deed." "Sure was," said Donald. "We'll be mighty glad to meet him." It may also be said that General Funston was glad to meet the Broncho Rider Boys, especially after Lieutenant Grant told him in a few words of the good work they had done on the border and on the day that Vera Cruz was taken.