take my chances on that."

"Thin Oi'm wid yez."

"No, I want you to remain outside, so you will be on hand in case I need
air."

"How'll I know ye nade it?"

"You'll hear me cry or shoot."

"Av Oi do, you'll see Barney Mulloy comin' loike a cyclone."

"I know I may depend on you, and I know this may be a nest of assassins.
These Spaniards are hot-blooded fellows, and they make dangerous
rascals."

Frank looked at his revolver, to make sure it was in perfect working
order, dropped it into the side pocket of his coat, and walked boldly
into the cottage cafe.

The men in the front room stared at him in surprise, but he did not seem
to give them a glance, walking straight through into the next room.

There he saw two Spanish-looking fellows talking in low tones over a
table, on which drinks were setting.

One of them was the man he had followed.

They were surprised to see the boy coolly walk into the room, and
advance without hesitation to their table.

The one Frank had followed seemed to recognize the lad, and he appeared
startled and somewhat alarmed.

With the greatest politeness, Frank touched his cap, asking:

"Senor, do you know Manuel Mazaro?"

The fellow scowled, and hesitated, and then retorted:

"What if I do?"

"I want to see him."

"And you have come here for that?"

"Yes."

"I will see if he be here. Wait."

At one side of the room was a door, opening on a dark flight of stairs.
Through this doorway and up the stairs the fellow disappeared.

Frank sat down at the table, feeling the revolver in the side pocket of
his coat.

The other man did not attempt to make any conversation.

In a few minutes the one who had ascended the stairs reappeared.

"Senor Mazaro will soon be down," he announced.

Then he sat at the table, and resumed conversation with his companion,
speaking in Spanish, and not even seeming to hear the "thank you" from
Frank.

It was not long before Mazaro appeared, and he came forward without
hesitation, smiling serenely, as if delighted to see the boy.

"Oh, senor!" he cried, "yo' be not harm in de scrape what we run into?"

"I was not harmed, no, thanks to you, Mazaro," said the boy, coolly. "It
is a wonder that I came out with a whole skin."

"Senor, you do not blame me fo' dat? I deed not know-a it--I deed not
know-a de robbares were there."

"Mazaro, you are a very good liar, but it will not work with me."

The Spaniard showed his teeth, and fell ba