As for Senorita Isabelle and her mother, they were as dumfounded as the general and his worthy accomplices. After the first few minutes of silence, they began to stammer their thanks, but the midshipman and his companions hastily, yet politely, waved them aside. “We are only too happy to have been in time,” said the middy, with a gallant bow, “but how did you happen to be placed in such a position?” The girl looked embarrassed. The Americans understood that, brute as he was, de Guzman was still her relative, and she wished to say nothing against him. Her mother, however, broke into a storm of Spanish, aimed at her brother-in-law. She explained that, while they had been seated alone in the house that evening, their tormentors had made their appearance through the window. General de Guzman had heard from the soldiers who had guarded the prison at Miraflores of his niece’s visit to the dungeon. One of them who understood English had played eavesdropper, and, as soon as he had an opportunity, he had informed the general of what he had heard. He was unable to tell him of the location of the will, however, and for this the revolutionary leader had visited the hacienda, with a stern determination to find out its whereabouts. His threat to imprison the girl and her mother had been the climax to a stormy interview. “And now, sir,” spoke up the general sullenly, “perhaps you will detain us no longer. This is a family affair, and----” “You have been beaten at your own game,” put in Midshipman Stark. The general glowered, but said nothing. Senorita Isabelle turned to the Americans. “You will not keep him longer? I am certain that he will do us no more harm to-night.” “Nor in the future,” spoke up Ned recklessly. “I’ll get the will for you to-morrow.” A smile flitted across the general’s face. “To-morrow things will have changed in Boca del Sierras,” he exclaimed. “I shall be in possession there.” The Americans looked their astonishment, but thought it best to say nothing to betray their ignorance. The next moment the general renewed his request to be allowed to depart. “What shall we do?” asked Stark, gazing at the others. “Well, sir, as we are not combatants, I don’t see how we are to make him a prisoner of war,” said Ned. “Neither do I. We shall have to let him go, I suppose.” “And his pair of friends, too, sir?” asked Stanley, shaking his mighty fist at the cowering Hank Harkins. “Yes, let them go, too. You have horses, general?” “Yes,” rejoined the other sullenly. “Good thing,” whispered Herc. “That means ours are safe.” “You mean they would steal them?” asked Ned. “In a minute. Those fellows would take pennies from a blind man.” “I half believe even that about them, too,” laughed Ned, as the general, followed by the others, slunk out of the room. They had not received their weapons back, and none of the Americans had made it possible for them to ask for them. Presently the clatter of hoofs outside announced their departure.