The Broncho Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers Part 39

"That's true."

"And then, again," explained Billie, "there is a dangerous man abroad tonight, who needs watching."

"How's that?"

"I saw an English-speaking foreigner give a Mexican ten thousand pounds tonight to aid the revolution."

"What!" almost shouted the lieutenant. "Ten thousand pounds?"

"Exactly."

"How do you know he gave him that amount?"

Billie ran his hand inside his shirt and pulled forth the big envelope he had taken from Don Pablo's secretary.

"I couldn't swear to it yet," he said; "because I have not looked inside this envelope; but, if I am not mistaken there is that sum in drafts on the Bank of England in this envelope."

With trembling fingers he tore open the wrapper, and there, just as he had expected, were the drafts-ten, each for a thousand pounds!

"And who was the man?" asked Lieutenant Grant.

"I don't know, but I had hoped that the name on the drafts might tell."

The lieutenant examined them carefully. Then he shook his head. "No," he said, "there is nothing to show by whom they were drawn. They are simply bank checks of one of the largest banks in New York on the Bank of England, with whom they doubtless have a large account. They are made payable to Pablo Ojeda, and, so far as the checks go to show, might have been purchased by Don Pablo himself. However, in the expert hands of the United States Secret Service, we may be able to find out whose money this really is."

At this information Billie's face fell.

"I thought I was doing a big thing," he muttered. "Now I see I might better have followed the man."

"You have done a big thing," said the lieutenant; "and, to show my appreciation of what you have done, I am going to send all the pickets for half a mile down the river to hunt the man. If any of your friends should slip across the river at that point, I shall not know it. And now, I'd advise you to hunt up Captain Peak and go to bed-that is, unless you and he should decide to do a little more scout duty before daylight."

Billie was not slow to take the hint, and started for the hotel. He had not gone twenty paces when the two troopers who had ridden in with him overtook him.

"Just tell Captain Peak," said one of them, "that there'll be ten of us waiting for you down below the custom house. We'll be in our shirt-sleeves, as it wouldn't do to be found dead in our uniforms if anything should happen."

Billie's heart gave a great bound. "I see," he said. "You won't have to wait long."

Five minutes later he was in Captain Peak's room telling his story. In another ten minutes the two of them emerged from the hotel and walked swiftly down the street. In still another ten minutes, men who looked like cowboys, but each carrying a Winchester, might have been seen going toward the river below the custom house. Half an hour later the streets again took on a deserted appearance, save for the two or three policemen who suddenly emerged from unknown quarters and resumed their beats.

CHAPTER XXIX.

IN THE DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN.

Promptly at the appointed hour-the darkest hour in the whole twenty-four, the hour before dawn-Pancho Villa appeared at the door of General Sanchez's headquarters. Almost simultaneously General Sanchez appeared in the doorway.

"Is everything in readiness?" he inquired, as he recognized Villa.

"Everything but the men, general."

"They are also ready," was the response. "I regret that there are only fifty; but they are well officered, and will do whatever they are told.

They are the pick of my force."

Villa saluted, but made no reply.

"Don't you think them sufficient?"

"No, general; but I hope for reinforcements!"

"I am afraid you will not receive them. But where is the American youth?"

"He has gone across the river, general."

"Across the river? You don't mean he has deserted his comrades?"

"No, general. He has gone for reinforcements!"

"Oh! I see," and General Sanchez shrugged his shoulders.

"But I am afraid they will not come," continued Villa. "The pickets on both sides of the river are very alert tonight."

"Do you know where the Americans expect to cross?"

"I can only guess, general."

"Perhaps you will guess aloud."

"I should guess they might cross below the ferry."

"Very well."

He turned to an orderly who stood ready to ride at a moment's notice: "Go tell Captain Rodriguez that if a band of refugees should seek to land from the American sh.o.r.e they are to be allowed to pa.s.s unquestioned." Then to Villa: "Is that all?"

"Yes, general."

"Very well, go! You will find your force down by the water's edge. The a.s.sault upon the revolutionists' lines will begin in half an hour!"

But, in the meantime, what of Donald and Adrian?

When the revolutionists headed by Don Rafael had broken into the house and the boys were taken prisoners, they had been as greatly surprised at the disappearance of Billie as had the others; but it did not take Donald long to figure out what had happened. Of course he did not know that Billie was hearing all that was going on, but he felt sure that he was safe.

At the first opportunity he had explained to Adrian his solution of the mystery, and both had confidence that in some way Billie would bring about their escape, although they could not see how.

Because of this confidence they kept a bold front, but it must be admitted that they thought their last hour had come when Don Rafael had declared that he would have them shot immediately. When he gave orders to suddenly leave the place, they were much mystified, not knowing that a guilty conscience had filled him with a great fear.