“Excellently done, my brave Ernesto!” Portiforo chuckled as the soldiers went to Reyes’ assistance and took charge of the discomfited American naval officer. “Possibly, señor,” he sneered, addressing Ridder, “you will regret, now, that you did not take advantage of my good nature and go back to your ship while you had the chance. Of course, after the outrage you have committed, you must realize that your uniform cannot save you from the consequences of your mad act.” Ridder shrugged his shoulders. “I’m ready to take my medicine,” he said quietly. “I trust, however, Mr. President,” he added anxiously, pointing to the three sailors who had followed him ashore, “you will not find it necessary to hold these men. They have done nothing.” Portiforo held a brief debate with himself, and decided to permit the sailors to return to the _Kearsarge_. They appeared to be loath to leave their young officer, who was very popular with all the men, but he smilingly ordered them to go, and they put back to the ship in the launch. “Take these rascals and lock them both up!” the president commanded fiercely, pointing to the Camera Chap and the navy man. “Until further orders, nobody is to be permitted to communicate with either of them. But wait a minute! There is one little detail which almost escaped my attention. Before we lock him up, we will first relieve Señor Hawley of the camera with which he took that audacious flash-light picture.” “Here it is, Señor Presidente,” announced Gale, bending down and picking up a small pocket kodak which was lying on the ground near the Camera Chap’s feet and handing it to Portiforo. “Guess he was trying to get rid of the evidence,” he added, with a grin. “Thank you, Señor Gale,” said the president, regarding the camera with great satisfaction. “This is a dainty little thing. We will have the film developed as soon as possible,” he continued, with a sardonic smile. “I have heard much of Señor Hawley’s great skill as a photographer, and I am most anxious to see for myself what kind of work he can do.” “Will you let me have a copy of the picture, Señor Presidente?” the _News_ reporter requested, seemingly with great eagerness. A scowl darkened Portiforo’s face for an instant. Then he smiled and shook his head. “It is painful to me to have to refuse you anything, my friend,” he said, “but I fear that would be impossible.” Gale appeared to be keenly disappointed, but his demeanor was only a pose; for he had every reason to believe that when the film was developed, the result would be a blank, inasmuch as he knew that the camera which he had handed Portiforo had never been used. The _News_ man, himself, had bought that camera, a few days previously, in San Cristobal, and had carried it in his pocket when he went to the _Kearsarge_ dinner, anticipating that it might come in handy. Being rather clever at sleight-of-hand work, it had been a simple matter for him to drop his own kodak, unseen, at the Camera Chap’s feet.