“It is fair!” she rejoined passionately. “For you this adventure, if successful, simply means one more feather in your cap--one more triumph to be added to your roll of journalistic achievements. For your president it means a diplomatic victory scored--a chance to replace the present administration of Baracoa with one more favorable to the policies of the United States government. And for these reasons you are determined to go ahead now, regardless of the inevitable consequences which have been so clearly pointed out to you. What other term can I use to characterize your motive than selfish ambition?” “But, my dear señora,” argued the Camera Chap, with an uneasy feeling that there might be some justice in her viewpoint, “we can’t let President Felix remain in El Torro. Wouldn’t that be almost as bad as death itself? There may be a certain amount of risk to my plan, but I feel confident that if the matter could be put up to your husband he would be willing to run the chance of having me go ahead. You see, there isn’t any other way of getting him out. If there were, I might be willing to give up my attempt. If a better plan----” He was interrupted by an exclamation from the woman, and again he detected an interchange of swift glances between her and Doctor Bonsal. “Do you mean that, sir?” the latter demanded eagerly. “Have we your word for it that if you knew that another plan was under way, you would abandon this undertaking and sail for New York on the _Panama_ to-morrow?” “If it was a better way than mine,” Hawley stipulated guardedly. “I’d have to be convinced of that, of course.” The physician flashed a glance of interrogation at the señora, who answered him with a nod. “We have put ourselves so much in your confidence already, Mr. Hawley,” he said quietly, “that we might as well go a little further. I know that we can trust you.” He glanced nervously toward the shaded window, and lowered his voice to a whisper. “We have important tidings,” he announced. “General Rodriguez made his escape to-day from the arsenal, and is now at liberty. You realize what that means?” The Camera Chap smiled faintly. “Another revolution, I suppose?” “Yes,” said the old man fervently. “And this time one that will not fail. So you see, sir, there is a much more practical plan than the one you are now abandoning.” CHAPTER XVII. A SERIOUS CHARGE. A knock on the door of the room interrupted the conversation at this point, and startled Doctor Bonsal and his guests. It was only the old black servant who had admitted Hawley to the house. He handed his employer an envelope. “Your pardon for interrupting, master,” he whispered, “but it is from the hospital and you said it should be brought to you at once.” “Quite right, Pedro,” the physician responded eagerly tearing open the envelope. As he read its contents he uttered a joyous exclamation.