"Rainsford, see that the man in the cabin does not come up on deck," Hal directed. "Keep your eye on him as the most important prisoner on this prize craft." The purple-faced man stared after Hal Overton's retreating form. "So you wouldn't come to terms, eh?" demanded the fellow, under his breath. "You'd rather ruin me. Two or three years in prison will ruin me, just at present, for my affairs will go to smash if I have to drop behind bars for a while. And if the government of Mexico finds that I have been helping the _insurrectos_ it will mean total loss to me, perhaps, where my properties are situated in other parts of Mexico. And you, young whippersnapper in shoulder straps, you talked to me of your honor. Well, I'll pitchfork that honor of yours!" The purple-faced man laughed harshly. He was in a deadly frame of mind. Presently two soldiers came down, halting in the cabin doorway. "We are ready, sir," spoke one of them. "Ready for what?" jeered the stranger. "Have you come to shoot me?" "We're nearing the dock at Agua Dulce, sir, and the lieutenant sent us to get you and make sure that you don't try to escape." "I'll be bound that you won't give me any chance to get away," jeered the fellow. "No, sir," answered the soldier gravely. The Mexican helmsman proved that he was no mean boat-handler. He ran in alongside the dock, making nearly as fine a landing as Skipper Tom Halstead himself could have done. Lieutenant Hal waited only long enough for Corporal Shimple to send over two men from the tug in a row-boat to stand guard over the motor boat prize. Then, with his own boat squad, and leaving behind only the dead and the wounded Mexican, the Army boy marched his prisoners by a route that led around the village instead of through it. Captain Foster had lain down, fully dressed, prepared to be called at any moment. He now came forth from his tent. He heard Lieutenant Hal's brief report with few interruptions. "Your name, sir?" demanded Foster, turning to the purple-faced one. "James D. Ruggles," came the surly answer. "I hope you are giving your correct name." [Illustration: "That's the Money!"] "Why shouldn't I? If I gave you a wrong name there are plenty of people hereabouts who could soon set you straight." "Your business, Mr. Ruggles?" "Owner of mines in Mexico." "Any in the _insurrecto_ district?" pursued Captain Foster. "Yes. That's why----" Ruggles checked himself suddenly. "You are not required to confess or incriminate yourself, unless you want to," Captain Foster advised the prisoner. "However, I imagine that the cargo of the boat and your actions to-night will furnish all the evidence against you that are needed. Mr. Ruggles, I shall have to hold you and your Mexican companions until I am advised what to do with you. There is no charge against your daughter. She may go to the hotel in Agua Dulce, if you wish. I will see to it that she is properly escorted."