The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 44

"This," said d.i.c.k to the consul, "is the man who gave the warning in time to allow the girls to be taken to some other hiding place."

"Is that true, sir?" demanded the consul, taking a step forward.

Von Blusen nodded.

"It is," he replied briefly.

"Then you shall answer to me for your part in this outrage," declared Mr. Willing, advancing with great anger.

"And to me," declared Colonel Ashton, also advancing.

Captain Von Blusen raised a hand.

"One moment, gentlemen," he said calmly.

"Give the man a chance to speak," said the consul. "He shall not get away, and I'll give you my word he'll do no further mischief. What have you to say for yourself?"

"Well, I can tell you where the two young ladies have been taken."

"You can?" exclaimed the colonel eagerly. "Where?"

"Mazatlan!"

"Mazatlan? Where is Mazatlan?" demanded the consul.

"As to that I cannot say. They left on the train not half an hour ago."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. I followed to make certain, that I might tell you."

"And why are you so interested in telling us?" asked d.i.c.k skeptically.

"For one reason, because Miss Willing saved my life no longer than an hour ago," was the calm reply.

"It is true," he continued, seeing that the others eyed him in amazement.

He then went into details of the scene that had occurred following his return to Hernandez after his fight with d.i.c.k in the street.

"But how are we going to find them in Mazatlan?" exclaimed Colonel Ashton.

"You might wire ahead and have them taken from the train," suggested d.i.c.k.

"No, I have a better plan than that," declared the consul.

"What is it?" asked the others eagerly.

"We'll kill two birds with one stone. I'll wire the American consular agent there to have them shadowed when they leave the train. Then we'll not only be able to rescue the young ladies, but the Mexican authorities will nab the plotters."

"An excellent plan," declared Colonel Ashton. "Now how shall we get there?"

"There is not another train till morning," said the consul, "but," and a twinkle came into his eyes, "if you have the price, I can guarantee to have a special engine and one car ready to go within the hour, and I can promise a clear track ahead."

"Let's have it no matter what the cost!" roared Mr. Willing. "I want my girl back as soon as I can get her!"

"And so do I," shouted Colonel Ashton.

CHAPTER XXVI.-IN MAZATLAN.

It was a long tedious journey to Mazatlan, and it was after noon of the following day when Shirley and Mabel followed their captors from the train upon which they had spent the night and morning.

"I'm glad to get off that train, I don't care what happens," said Mabel as the five made their way through the dingy-looking station.

"I should say so," agreed Shirley. "I'm so sleepy I could fall right over here."

"I managed to get a few winks during the night," returned Mabel. "I curled up in the seat."

"I couldn't sleep that way. I tried, but it was no use."

They had now reached the street side of the station, and here Hernandez signalled a pa.s.sing cab. Into this the girls were thrust and then the two women and the man climbed in. Hernandez gave an address to the driver, and the cab whirled away.

None of the occupants saw a man, who had been loitering about the station when the train pulled in, hail a second cab and come after them.

This was the man who had been delegated to shadow them upon the request, by wire, of Consul Edwards at Acapulco.

To Shirley and Mabel it seemed that they rode through the streets of the city for hours before the cab stopped its b.u.mping and drew up before a typical Mexican native house in the outskirts of the town. Hernandez and the two women climbed out, and the girls followed them into the house.

The man in the pursuing cab ordered his driver to halt while still some distance away. Then he dismissed the driver and approached the house afoot. He saw the five figures enter the dwelling and approached no nearer, but took a stand some distance away, where from time to time, he looked at his watch.

An hour pa.s.sed, then two, and at length the man turned and walked away.

Inside the house Shirley and Mabel had been shown to a back room, the windows of which they saw were heavily barred. Mrs. Sebastian accompanied them.

"Now girls," she said, "if you are quiet and make no trouble, I am sure that you will be freed before long."

"You mean we won't have to wait for ransom?" asked Shirley eagerly.

"No, I don't mean that. But I am sure the money will be paid over within a day or two."

"And we shall have to stay here all that time?"

"Yes. I wish I could interest you in our cause. You could do lots for us if you chose."

"Thanks, but I don't care to listen to the troubles of criminals,"

declared Shirley.