"They are at present useless," cried Don Miguel striking his breast with his hand; "the electric apparatus is out of repair, and the engineers are now attending to it. What misfortune! Dios! It may be as Rafael says. Pepe decoyed Dolores to the beach, and from thence she could be taken to the war-ship." Jack was horrified at this possibility. It was not very probable that such a thing had happened; still, it might have taken place. If it were so, Dolores would be now on board _The Pizarro_, steaming north to Acauhtzin--to Xuarez, whom she hated and feared. He was about to speak his mind on the subject when Tim, in a great flurry, arrived with Peter. "What is all this about?" cried Tim, rushing up to Jack. "Is Doña Dolores missing?" Philip drew him away from Jack, who was too overwhelmed to answer questions, and hurriedly explained all that had occurred. The Irishman scratched his head, but could suggest nothing save that they should search the country. A sudden idea struck Philip. "Peter!" he said quickly, turning towards the doctor, "what time did you return from your beetle hunting?" "About sunset." "And Cocom?" "Left me as soon as we entered the town, in order to pray at the cathedral. He has done the same thing regularly every time we have returned to Tlatonac." "Cocom!" cried Jack, jumping to his feet at the mention of the name, "why, Philip, do you think he decoyed Dolores away?" "Who knows! She is either with the Indians or with Xuarez. Cocom or Pepe, as emissaries of Don Hypolito, may have carried her off." The foregoing had been spoken in English, and, ignorant of the language, Rafael could only understand the names. He glanced eagerly from one to the other, and spoke quickly. "Cocom! Pepe! What is this, Señor Felipe?" Whereat Philip began to explain, but was interrupted by the entrance of Padre Ignatius. The good priest looked much disturbed, and raised his hand to bless those in the room. Doña Serafina and Eulalia flung themselves at his feet, and were so overwhelmed with grief that they had to be taken away. When they had gone, Padre Ignatius turned to the men. "My sons, I hear evil news. Is it true that Doña Dolores is missing?" "Yes; do you know where she is?" asked Jack, imploringly, laying his hand on the rusty sleeve of the priest. "Alas! no," replied the Padre, shaking his head; "all the afternoon did I wait for her in the cathedral, but she came not!" "She did not go to your own church, my father?" questioned Rafael, eagerly. "No, my son. I though she might have done so, and repaired thither. But the sacristan tells me no one has been to the shrine this day. The messengers you sent out to seek for the poor lady came to the chapel to ask me if I had seen her, and it was then that I first heard of your great loss." "Think you the Indians have her?" asked Philip, anxiously.