Jack’s eyes followed.  At the turning, she paused, looked back, and waved to him, then disappeared.

“Now what will we do?” said Jack.

“You boys hide behind the bed,” said Mr. Hampton.  “I’ll close the door, but I won’t lock it this time, for on second thought I believe if it were locked and Calomares came up to see me—­as he frequently does before retiring—­it would make him suspicious.  I shall leave it unlocked, and then he will believe he left it so himself in his haste.”

“Dad,” said Jack, “I have an idea.”

“What is it?  Out with it.”

“Well, we are trapped here.  Suppose we turn the tables.”

“What do you mean?” asked Bob.

“Well, Dad,” said Jack, turning to his father, “didn’t you say Don Fernandez comes to call on you before retiring?”

“Yes, we have become good companions.  He guards me carefully, keeps me a prisoner for his own ends, but he is a cultured man and we have much in common.”

“Father says,” asserted Bob, “that you are being held prisoner in order to make trouble between the United States and the Mexican government.”

“He is correct,” approved Mr. Hampton.  “Don Fernandez has not attempted to conceal from me that that is his desire.  He sent a demand for a preposterous ransom, merely in order to precipitate action at Washington, and he has been wondering why no action was taken.”

“Well, that’s what father thought,” declared Bob.  “So he has kept the matter of your being kidnapped a secret.  Instead of appealing to our government, we set out to rescue you.  Father says we must do our utmost to avert trouble between Mexico and the United States.”

“So that accounts for many things,” said Mr. Hampton.  “I’m glad to have them cleared up.  But we are forgetting your idea, Jack.  What is it?”

“Simply that we capture Don Fernandez and make him release us all under a guarantee of safe conduct,” said Jack.

“You see,” he added, “Bob and I are both armed, and we can do it.”

“Good for you, Jack,” said Bob.

“I believe it can be done,” said Mr. Hampton.  “And here,” he added, listening, “comes our opportunity, if I am not mistaken.  You boys get behind the four-poster and wait until I give you your cue.”

Noiselessly Mr. Hampton closed the door, as the boys went into hiding.  Then the older man resumed his seat by the table, picked up his book, and appeared to be reading.

Quick, light footsteps sounded on the landing outside.  There was a pause, while Don Fernandez searched his pockets for the key to the door.  Unable to find it, he turned as if to depart.  To three pairs of ears, straining to hear his every movement, the interpretation was clear.  He believed he had locked the door and lost the key and was about to depart.  Mr. Hampton saved the situation by raising his voice, and calling: 

“Is that you, Don Fernandez?  Will you not honor me by coming in?  I am eager to learn what has occurred.”