ley of Mexico and the
ranges and peaks beyond. He was taking his resolution, and he was
carrying it out, but it was hard, very hard. He foresaw that he would
have to strengthen his will many, many times. Mr. Austin took no further
worry on Ned's account, thinking that he would be all right again in a
day or two.

But at the dinner which was brought to them in the middle of the day
Ned showed a marked failure of appetite, and Mr. Austin felt real
concern. The boy, however, was sure that he would be all right before
the day was over.

"It must be the lack of fresh air and exercise," said Mr. Austin. "You
can really take exercise in here, Ned. Besides, you said that you were
going to escape. If you fall ill you will have no chance at all."

He spoke half in jest, but Ned took him seriously.

"I am not ill, Uncle Steve," he said. "I really feel very well, but I
have lost my appetite. Maybe I am getting tired of these Mexican
dishes."

"Take exercise! take exercise!" said Mr. Austin with emphasis.

"I think I will," said Ned.

Physical exercise, after all, fitted in with his ideas, and that
afternoon he worked hard at all the gymnastic feats possible within the
three rooms to which they were confined. De Zavala came in and expressed
his astonishment at the athletic feats, which Ned continued with
unabated zeal despite his presence.

"Why do you do these things?" he asked in wonder.

"To keep myself strong and healthy. I ought to have begun them sooner.
The Mexican air is depressing, and I find that I am losing my appetite."

De Zavala's eyes opened wide while Ned deftly turned a handspring. Then
the young American sat down panting, his face flushed with as healthy a
color as one could find anywhere.

"You'll have an appetite to-night," said Mr. Austin. But to his great
amazement Ned again played with his food, eating only half the usual
amount.

"You're surely ill," said Mr. Austin. "I've no doubt de Zavala would
allow us to have a physician, and I shall ask him for one."

"Don't do it, Uncle Steve," begged Ned. "There's nothing at all the
matter with me, and anyhow I wouldn't want a Mexican doctor fussing over
me. I've probably been eating too much."

Mr. Austin was forced to accede. The boy certainly did not look ill, and
his appetite was bound to become normal again in a few days. But it did
not. As far as Mr. Austin could measure it, Ned was eating less and
less. It was obvious that he was thinner. He w