The Don decided to try the door.  To his surprise, it opened to his touch.  “I must have forgotten to lock it in my haste,” he muttered, and stepped into the room.

“Government troops,” he said, advancing, “They thought to surprise us but we have beaten them off decisively.”  He sat down heavily.  “It has been strenuous work,” he said.  “But that is over.  Now to find the assassin, if he has not already escaped.”

“Assassin?” queried Mr. Hampton, in genuine surprise.  He had not been told the Don’s belief regarding Jack.

“Yes,” said Don Fernandez, violently.  “That miserable Obregon.”  And he proceeded to relate his version of Jack’s arrival.

“Oh, but you are mistaken,” said Mr. Hampton, coolly.  “That was no assassin, but my son.  He came to attempt to rescue me.”

Don Fernandez leaped to his feet, as if shot upward by a spring.

“Your son?” he cried.  “Came to rescue you?  Preposterous.  Then, why are you here?”

“Because,” said Jack, stepping from hiding, with revolver leveled, “I wanted to meet you.”

“Yes, and so did I,” said Bob, not to be outdone, as he emerged, also with leveled weapon, from the other side of the four-poster.

Mr. Hampton quickly slipped the key into the lock of the door, turned it and drew back.  Don Fernandez saw the action.  He glared from one to the other of the three, and then sat down with a resigned shrug of the shoulders.

“You wanted to meet me?” he said.  “I am honored.  But, Mr. Hampton, there is not only one son but two!”

“Not exactly,” said the American.  “This lad”—­laying a hand on Jack’s shoulder—­“is my son, the young man you pursued for a time tonight.  This other”—­placing his other hand on Bob’s shoulder—­“is my son’s chum.”

“Well,” said Don Fernandez, the faintest suggestion of a twinkle in his eye, “now that you have met me, as you desired, what have you to say?”

“Just this,” said Jack, boldly, “we want you to permit us to leave under safe conduct.  We want to take father with us in Bob’s airplane.  Oh, yes, it was my chum’s airplane which your men stole in Long Island.  But we have gotten it back again.”

“So?” said Don Fernandez.  “Well, nothing surprises me tonight.  And where, may I ask, are Morales and Von Arnheim?  I see you are wearing their clothes.”

“We have got them imprisoned,” said Jack.  “But we are in earnest, sir, about this.  We are armed and have the upper hand, and we mean to have your protection.  If you are armed, you had better give your weapon to father.”

“As your father very well knows,” said the Don, “I never carry weapons.  And now”—­with grave courtesy—­“if you will permit me, young sir, I would like to speak privately with your father.”

At a nod of agreement from his father, Jack withdrew to the door, followed by Bob, leaving the two older men in low-voiced conversation.  They spoke animatedly, and to the anxious boys there came more than once a low chuckle of laughter from Don Fernandez while they could see Mr. Hampton beginning to smile.  At length, Don Fernandez beckoned imperiously, and the boys approached.