The Kidnapped President

rds from the gate, we found a vehicle of the volante description awaiting our coming. We entered it, and the drive

yan," he said at last, "what a serio

r. I fancy if it had only been a question of my safety, I should have had

d into silence once more. The carriage rattled through the silent streets, and at length passed out into the open country on the other side. So far we had not attracted attention. E

have descended it again we shall be at the rendezvous.

l begins to descend on the other side, were three palms. When we reached these my companion uttered a low and peculiar whistle. It was answered from the sha

"Fernandez has not returned yet. They are watching for

as you may suppose, I was eager to

o drive along on a dark night. In the moonlit valley below could be seen the little fishing village of Horejos. I examined my watch and discovered that it wa

ork we had in hand could scarcely have been imagined. It would have been out of the question for two carriages to have passed abreast, owing to the width of the road; and one glance was sufficient to show me that it would be quite possible for a determined man to bring a vehicle to a standstill at such a spot. That Herma?os was in a state of considerable trepidation regarding his share in the business I could see. From what he had already said to me I gathered that, had he not advanced so far in the business, he would even at the eleventh hour have d

peculiar whistle I have already mentioned. This whistle was answered by another, and

bank and stood before us. He wore a po

m yet, Luiz?"

be long now. In another hour it will begin to grow light, and if h

at do you propose

would appear in the road and stop the horses, while you

had handed me the hat and poncho, he h

re for the sake of seeing what he w

into the boat, and take him out to the yacht," he ans

said. "Is there no way of finding

n ordered the individual named Luiz to go to th

quarter of an hour passed, during which time we discussed everything but the business before us. Then the messenger returne

and as I spoke the sound of whe

feet; then, turning to the man who had just returne

eft his lips before Luiz gave a loud whistle. In response

your men had better stand here to stop the horses." Then turning to the others, I continued: "You tw

r came the vehicle, then it turned the corner, and we could plainly see its lights. In a very few minutes it would be upon us. Without exception we had all drawn back into the shadow of the cli

e revolvers pointed at him, pulled up his horses so suddenly that they fell back upon their haunches. Meanwhile I had sprung to the carriage-door and

lf that we had made no mistake. Fernandez was seated in the corner nearest me, and, to my great astonishment, the Se?orita was beside him. I will do the Preside

" he said. "I thought I had stopped your

t I have no time to spare. I must therefore ask you to alight without further parley. Let me assur

l with the same imperturbable good-humour. "Well, what must be must, I suppo

p her the Se?orita

sing the President. "I am sure we can rel

turning to the President once more, I added: "Before we proceed further it would, perhaps,

as he took a revolver from hi

I had an opportunity," he said. "I see, how

to the

u hear about it later. You can tell them, when you get there, that the President and the Se?orita ha

eeing that the other did not speak, he whipped up his horses and drove of

r the brow of the hill. "I must ask you, Se?or President, to be

t up the rear. No one would have imagined that, only a few hours before, the Se?orita and I had been waltzing round the ball-room at La Gloria as partners, or that the President and I had been seated amicably together discussing the politics of E

still wearing her light dancing-shoes, it must have been an unenviable experience for her. Once her dress was caught by a cactus

gravely, and, without anoth

must feel with me. I suppose it is only natural that you should be

at we should have been so weak as to have made such a misca

escape," I answered. "Doubtless, if your uncle had

nd all things considered, I am not at all sure it would not have been

for a hundred yards or so, and then found ourselves beside the yacht's gig, which had been pulled up on the shore to await our coming. As soon

e Se?orita, moving towards it as I spoke. "When you

stepped into the boat, after wh

"if you will be so kind as to get i

ated for

ou in private, Se?or Trevelyan?" he said. "I

played no trick upon me, I took my revolver from my pocket and carried it somewhat ostentati

run on this sand would not tend to improve it. Let us talk here. Now, Se?or Trevelyan, I am going to put a very simple question to y

mit that fact," I answered. "Yes! All

or am I anxious to find myself in my old enemy's hands. The question I wis

eplied, "and for the simple reason t

more, I would give you a substantial guarantee that, if you wo

at, if I could live the past few weeks over again, I should not be treating you as I am doing to-night. However, I have accepted Don Guzman's offer, and I have taken his money. For that r

fellow-conspirators, and I should have shot you in the morning. Experience has taught me tha

stand," I replied dryly. "And

?" he said. "What do you say to an offer o

"Come along, sir, the dawn will soon be here, and I

e shoulders as I spoke, and

efore we joined the others. "W

t time," I answered. "For the present, however, it must

osé de Herma?os, who was standing w

d memory for both friends and enemies! I once imagined that you and I would have been able to work together. I believe we should have done so, had not you committed yourself too

mpossible. Nevertheless, he had omitted to conceal a disfigurement on the lower portion of his countenance that was sufficient to reveal

he Se?orita, I prepared to follow him, but be

u have done for me to-night. I don't suppose we shall ever meet

to a whisper, he continued: "For your own safety's sake, take care that you never come back to Equinata. I cannot help th

r than he intended, for the Presiden

You know what ought to be done, but you don't do it. As

sat down and bent to their work I glanced back at the little group of dark figures on the beach watching us. After a few minutes they were lost against the dark background, and I turned my head to search for the yacht

orita," I said, springing

raised his cap, and I could see that he was more t

le, Mr. Ferguson, if you please," I said. "I

nd as soon as we have got the boat aboard

"permit me to escort you to the saloon. Doubtless

the stern gaoler. We accordingly passed along the deck to the saloon. The electric bell summoned t

ed my mind I was struck with wonderment as to what she would do for wearing apparel on board. She could not spend the day in a low-necked dress, and with no stronger footgear than a pair of white satin dancing-shoes. However, I postponed consideration of the subject for the moment. Presently the steward re

was attired just as I had been at the ball, though my raiment was somewhat dishevelled by my encounter with the Presidential Forces on the wharf. We had sca

" he said. "I drink to you

ince his treatment of me that evening, I felt no remorse for having captured him. He had admitted that he would have shot me without compunctio

breach of good manners to observe that this wine is excellent, while the cooking is all that can be desired." Then, with a little sigh, whether real or assumed, h

ata?" asked the Se?orita, leaning a little forward and placing one dai

have already discussed that matter together, and

she was going to break down, but

I think I will retire

ady. He informed me, and I immediately begged permission to conduct her thither. She bade

o-night," she remarked. "Why should you wish to take us away from the

y own master," I replied. "I am a paid

dez had left it and had gone on deck. I discovered him upon the bulwarks opposite the smoking-room entrance. He had just lit a cigar, and was

eneral?" I inquired as I too

I could manage to ou