The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 41

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 Senor 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-Senor 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.