The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 48

"Very well, sir," said the clerk.

"Why didn't you tell him to tell Dad we had been rescued?" asked Mabel.

"Why," replied the captain with a smile, "I was saving that for a little surprise."

CHAPTER XXVIII.-ALL ABOARD AGAIN.

Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton, to go back to the time that d.i.c.k left them after the departure of Consul Harrington, were greatly alarmed when the boy failed to return immediately. Half an hour after his departure Consul Harrington returned with General Seauterey and half a dozen troopers.

The general announced that he was not only willing but eager to round up Hernandez, who, he said, was the real head of the revolution in Western Mexico. Mr. Willing expressed his alarm over d.i.c.k's safety, and they waited ten minutes.

"I'll have my clerk tell him to wait when he comes in," said the consul.

"There is no use delaying longer."

To this Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton agreed.

"d.i.c.k is always turning up missing," declared the colonel.

"But he always turns up safe again," replied Mr. Willing.

"Oh, he'll be back all right," said the consul. "He can hardly have fallen into any danger this time."

Fisher, the man who had trailed the conspirators to their lair, now summoned two automobiles, and the party climbed in. The trip to the house where the girls had been confined was made in record time, and a short distance away a halt was called.

General Seauterey and his men now took the lead, and surrounded the house. The general himself approached the door and knocked on it loudly.

There was no response, but a second sharp knock brought a voice from behind the door. It was a woman's voice and it said:

"What is wanted?"

"Open the door!" demanded the general.

"Who are you?"

"General Seauterey."

There was an exclamation of dismay from within, and the sound of retreating footsteps. Again the general pounded on the door. There was no response and he called to two of his men.

"Break down the door," he instructed them.

The heavy rifle b.u.t.ts of the soldiers crashed against the wood, shattering it. Several hard kicks and it was in splinters. With drawn revolver General Seauterey led the way.

Two soldiers, Mr. Willing, Colonel Ashton and Captain Von Blusen followed him. The others remained on guard without to prevent the escape of the fugitives.

Through the house strode the general, throwing wide the doors of the various rooms. And at last he brought up against another locked door.

This was burst in as had been the first, and the general advanced first.

Came a shot from the room, and the general staggered back, then moved forward again. At the far side of the room were two figures, the general could just make out in the darkness.

"Hands up!" he cried.

"Don't shoot!" came in a woman's voice. "We surrender!"

"Come forward then," said the general.

Two women, who proved to be Mrs. Hernandez and Mrs. Sebastian, advanced shrinking.

"Where is Hernandez?" demanded the general.

"He is not here," was the reply. "We expect him back any moment."

"Where is he?"

"He went after the two prisoners, who escaped."

"Your prisoners have escaped?" demanded the general.

"Yes."

The general turned to one of his men.

"Call the others within," he ordered.

The other four troopers came into the house, followed by the Americans and the German captain. Mr. Willing was the first to see Mrs. Sebastian, and he sprang toward her.

"What have you done with my daughter, madam?" he demanded.

Mrs. Sebastian shrank back from him.

Colonel Ashton also stepped forward and angrily demanded that Mabel be produced at once. Then Mrs. Sebastian spoke.

"They have escaped!" she declared.

Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton were skeptical. Mrs. Sebastian saw that they did not believe her.

"It is true," she declared. "They locked me in a room and jumped from a window. Hernandez has gone after them."

"We'll wait here for Hernandez to return," decided General Seauterey.

"We'll get him when he comes back, and if he has the prisoners it will save us further search."

None doubted that this was the best plan, and so all sat down to wait, General Seauterey meanwhile keeping watch at the door himself.

Suddenly he sprang to his feet.

"Here he comes-alone!" he cried.