Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/253

 owes his escape to-night, for it was through him that I learned of the plan to arrest the messenger to El Terredo."

"San Pedro!" cries the impetuous Navarro, in tones of sincere regret. "I should never have forgiven myself. But I will at once set him at liberty and add the poor consolation of an honest apology."

"That is exactly what I do not wish you to do. It was to avoid recognition that I rigged out in this uniform, and I am confident that Alvarez did not recognize me. Barker, that is my friend's name, may or may not have discovered my identity when I cried out to you at the moment I clutched your arm. At any rate, I shall not attempt to ascertain. The principal point I wish to insist upon, if you will permit me, is that Alvarez and Barker shall not be separated; further, that they be permitted to proceed to Santiago within forty-eight hours."

"Your wishes shall be respected, my dear Ashley," says Navarro.

"Where have you had the prisoners taken?" asks Jack.

"To the ambush I spoke of, about 200 yards up the road."

"And your further plans?"

"I intended to have marched the Spaniards back to the mountains as prisoners of war. Within the hour I shall send a courier to the revolutionary camp with orders to forward two hundred men with which to capture the supply train. They should arrive early to-morrow forenoon."

"Good. That work successfully accomplished, you can then permit Alvarez and Barker to depart in peace."

"If you so desire. And now suppose we rejoin my men."

As the two move away Ashley's eye is caught by the glitter of a small object upon the ground. He picks it up and discovers that it is a locket attached to a broken bit of chain. As he turns it over in his hands and seeks to examine it in the pale light of the moon, Navarro calls to him from the road: "Still surveying the battlefield, Ashley?"