"There is but one way out of here." "And then?" "To pass out that way you must go by a dozen of my men, and you can judge for yourself what that will mean." "Yes; I have an idea," nodded Hal thoughtfully. "Then you see the folly of thinking you can escape?" "No; I am thinking that your men will be able to get me." "To be sure." "Yet I am quick, Tomba, and before they can finish me, I shall have settled my score with you for good and all." "And thrown away your own life?" "You forget that I am a soldier, Tomba. I am inclined to feel that it will be worth even my own life to make sure that you are where you can no longer plot against the American Government." "But your own life, Senor Sergente?" "My own life is less than worthless to me if I may be permitted to lose it in doing one last valuable act for the Flag of my country." "You are boasting now!" "As to that, Tomba, you will soon be in a position to know. And I warn you that the slightest sign of treachery on your part will be my excuse for ridding these islands of the disgrace of your presence." "You are attempting too much," jeered the little brown man. "I see and I admit that you are brave, yet you are bound to lose." "The time for talking is past, Tomba, and now we come to action," returned the Army boy, speaking slowly and easily. "Come, get upon your feet and obey every order of mine the instant that you receive it. In another minute or two you and I will be in the sunlight again--or else you and I have both already had our last glimpse of the light of day." Tomba smiled, though he felt the mastery of this young wearer of Uncle Sam's uniform. "Get up on your feet," ordered Hal. "Stand right before me, your back to me. Do you feel the point of the creese?" "Yes," answered Tomba in a low voice, though the brown man spoke steadily. "You will walk before me, very slowly. If you attempt to turn, or to disobey, I shall know what to do with this wavy-bladed creese. If you make a move to spring away from me, I shall show you how good a jumper I am--and then the creese! Now, walk, very slowly, toward the exit from this place." [Illustration: "Steady, Now, Tomba!"] As they started Hal held the lantern with his left hand so that the rays of light flashed ahead of them. Vicente Tomba walked to the far end of this underground room. As far as young Overton's eyes could see they were moving toward a blank wall. "Halt!" commanded the young sergeant easily. Tomba obeyed. "You are taking me to a secret door?" "It is so, senor." "And you know how to open it?" "Yes; it is simple." "Then step to the door. But, Tomba!" "Si, senor." "Do not let any wild plan run through your mind that you will open the door suddenly, bolt through it and close it in my face. Do you still feel the creese? Well, I am on the alert!"