CHAPTER XXIV.--FLIGHT.

When Mrs. Sebastian entered the room where Shirley and Mabel were held prisoners, followed by Captain Von Blusen, she immediately addressed her fellow conspirators.

"This," she said, indicating the German officer, "is Captain Von Blusen, a German naval officer. He informs me that he is seeking, for his government, a naval base on the Pacific. In return for this the German government will pay handsomely."

"In that event," replied the Mexican, who it now developed was none other than Miguel Martinez, "we may do business. Take a seat, señor."

Von Blusen did so, and for the first time his eyes fell upon the two girls.

"Miss Ashton! Miss Willing!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"We are prisoners," replied Shirley bitterly.

"Why?" demanded the captain.

"Held for ransom," replied Shirley.

The captain smiled.

"A good idea," he said turning to the others. "An excellent manner in which to raise money, providing you are not caught."

"I was not aware that you were acquainted with these young ladies," said Mrs. Sebastian.

"Oh, yes indeed! I know them well," was the reply. "In fact I have a little score to settle with them myself. One of our best laid plans was foiled because of them."

"So?" queried Martinez. "Will you explain, captain?"

"With pleasure."

The captain did so, and the others listened with amazement to the story of the plot to capture the _Yucatan_, and its ultimate outcome.

"They are smart girls," declared Mrs. Sebastian, "but this time I believe we have them safe."

"I sincerely hope so," was the reply.

An hour later the girls were left alone.

"What on earth shall we do?" exclaimed Mabel.

"There is nothing we can do," replied Shirley. "We must wait for some one to rescue us."

"Do you suppose there is anything in what Captain Von Blusen gave as his reason for being here?"

"Of course; but the thing that puzzles me is how he got here so soon. You remember how we left him?"

"Yes. But he's a very resourceful man. I wish he were on our side."

"So do I. If he were, we might get away."

It was after seven o'clock when Mrs. Sebastian, Martinez and his wife reentered the room.

"We have had no reply from your fathers as yet," said the former. "However, we did not really expect one. It is to be hoped for your sakes that they leave the money to-night."

"I don't believe they will," replied Shirley quietly.

"So much the worse for you then."

At this moment a native boy came in and announced that the American consul was without, accompanied by two strangers, and that he desired immediate communication with Señor Hernandez.

"Well, they are on the trail," said Martinez, with a laugh. "I wonder what the consul would think if he knew that Hernandez and Martinez were one and the same person. Well, I shall see the consul. You be very quiet in here, for you know how sounds carry in this house."

Mrs. Sebastian nodded, and Martinez, alias Hernandez, made his way from the room.

He returned an hour later with a smile on his face.

"I've thrown them off the track, all right," he said gleefully. "I was startled for a moment, though. There was a little whipper-snapper with the two Americanos--Señor Stanley is his name--and he accused me of knowing the whereabouts of the prisoners. I denied it, and Consul Edwards rebuked him and sent him from the room."

At this moment there came footsteps running rapidly down the hall, and a moment later Captain Von Blusen burst in excitedly.

"Quick!" he cried. "We must get away from here."

"Here! here!" said Hernandez calmly. "What is the matter? Give an account of yourself."

"I was walking along the street," said Von Blusen, "when I came across one of the Americans from aboard the _Yucatan_."

"Who?" demanded Mrs. Sebastian anxiously.

"Young Stanley," cried the captain.

"Stanley?" repeated the others.

"Yes. I heard someone following me, and I waited for him to come up. When I saw who it was I hit him with my fist and knocked him down. He was up in a moment, though, and pitched into me. We had quite a tussle, but I finally managed to get away and come here to warn you."

"And were you followed?"

"I don't know."

"The Kaiser must be proud of you," sneered Hernandez. "If you have botched his plans as you have ours, he would have you shot. Come," he turned to the two women, "the game is up. We shall have to fly. If the Americano has followed this man here, my connection must soon be discovered. Consul Edwards will suspect. We must fly!"

"Where?" exclaimed Mrs. Sebastian.

"Mazatlan. We have just time to catch the night train. Hurry!"

The two women turned and dashed from the room and Hernandez turned to the girls.

"Put on your hats," he said gruffly.

The girls obeyed without a word, for they could see the man was very angry.

Then he turned to Captain Von Blusen.

"As for you," he said, "you keep out of my sight in the future. Approach me again and I will have you shot."

"But--" began the captain.

Hernandez produced a revolver which he levelled at the German.

"I guess I had better do it now," he declared. "It will save trouble."

His finger tightened on the trigger.

But before he could fire, Shirley sprang forward with a cry and seized the arm that held the revolver.

Hernandez whirled on her angrily, but as he did so, Captain Von Blusen sprang forward and struck the man a heavy blow on the head with his fist. Hernandez toppled over.

Captain Von Blusen turned to the girls.

"I can do you no good here," he said hurriedly. "I'll tell your friends where you are being taken and we shall save you."

He darted from the room and disappeared.

Shirley and Mabel made as though to follow him, but before they reached the door, the two women reappeared. Mrs. Sebastian took in the situation with a quick glance and bent over Hernandez, who was now stirring feebly. Directly he sat up and his gaze roved about the room.

"Where did he go?" he cried.

"Who?" asked his wife.

"The German! The man who knocked me down."

"He's gone," said Mrs. Sebastian. "Come, Hernandez, we have no time to lose."

Hernandez staggered to his feet, and his gaze rested on Shirley. He took a threatening step forward.

"You--" he began.

Mrs. Sebastian threw herself between them.

"There will be no harm done these girls while I am here," she said quietly. "Please remember that."

As Hernandez still seemed on the point of trying to get at Shirley, the woman suddenly produced a revolver, which she levelled directly at him.

"Stand back!" she cried. "Haven't you any sense? Don't you know what would happen should harm befall either of these girls?"

"She is right," said the man's wife. "Come, let us go."

Hernandez muttered to himself, but he turned away.

In response to his call the native boy again appeared and announced that a closed cab was at the door.

Hernandez led the way, and Mrs. Sebastian motioned for the girls to follow him. The two women brought up the rear.

Outside all climbed into the cab and were soon being driven away.

Neither girl uttered a word as the cab bumped along the uneven street, but each was badly frightened. For half an hour the cab continued its way and then it came to a stop.

"Not a word!" ordered Hernandez of the two girls, as he prepared to alight.

The girls had sense enough to obey this injunction and went into the little station, dimly lighted, and boarded the waiting train without so much as speaking to each other.

As Shirley glanced back over her shoulder while climbing up the steps, she caught sight of a familiar figure lurking in the shadows. She could not be certain, but she felt positive that the man was Captain Von Blusen.

Captors and captives took seats at the rear end of the last car, where they sat in silence until the train began to move. Then, for the first time, did Hernandez breath in relief.

"Safe enough now," he declared.

"But they may telegraph ahead and have us detained," said his wife.

"No one knows we have come this way save Captain Von Blusen," was the reply, "and it will not be to his interests to interfere with us."

Shirley and Mabel now found themselves able to converse without being overheard by the others.

"I saw Captain Von Blusen in the station as we climbed aboard," said Shirley.

"Do you think he will help us?" asked Mabel.

"I don't know, but some way I feel that he will. He seemed sincere enough when he spoke just before he left."

"My goodness gracious! I hope something turns up soon!" exclaimed Mabel. "Our Dads must be worried to death."

"Well, if Dick is on the trail, I am sure we shall be rescued," declared Shirley.

"You have lots of confidence in Dick, haven't you?" asked Mabel.

"Of course. Why shouldn't I have?"

"Well, I hope we are rescued soon."

"Some way, I believe we shall be," declared Shirley.

The train sped on through the darkness.