The command was obeyed.

"Now where is Mr. Black?" he asked.

"Upstairs talking with Jose."

"All right. Bind this man while I go up. Don't let him escape or
he is liable to cut your throat."

"_No temer V, senor_" was the response, meaning "Have no fear."

Adrian ran lightly up the stairs, revolver in hand. He heard
voices talking and had no doubt that Jose was narrating some
trumped-up story.

"Yes, senor," he heard the mozo say, "they are expecting you. It
is necessary that you go at once."

Adrian flung open the door and covered Jose with his revolver.

"Put up your hands," he commanded. Then to Mr. Black, to whom
Jose was talking: "Take his weapons away from him, Mr. Black."

Realizing at once that something was wrong, Mr. Black obeyed.

"Now tie him."

This was also quickly done, Mr. Black asking at the same time
what had happened.

"I can't tell you exactly, Mr. Black, but this man has betrayed
us and we are now watched by a squad of soldiers."

Mr. Black's face turned as black as his name.

"Is that true?" he demanded, seizing Jose by the shoulder with
such a powerful grip that the man cried out with pain.

"Oh, senor," he cried, "don't kill me! I will tell you all."

"See that you do," was the command. "One lie and I will wring
your neck as I would a chicken. You know me."

"I'll tell the truth. I told the captain at the barracks. He is
going to capture all the Americanos and hold them for ransom and
I am to have half."

"That is evidently the truth," declared Adrian, and he proceeded
to tell Mr. Black what was being done to get him and his daughter
to Vera Cruz, and how Jose had played them false.

For a moment it looked as though Mr. Black might wreak his
vengeance on Jose, but after a minute he thought better of it.

"You ought to die this minute," he declared, "but I'll wait till
I have more time." Then to Adrian: "What had we better do now?"

Before Adrian could reply the clear note of a bugle rang out upon
the night air.

CHAPTER XXI.

ADRIAN HAS AN ACCIDENT.

"What do you suppose that means?" asked Adrian.

Mr. Black made no reply and a moment later the bugle call was
repeated.

"It sounds to me," said Mr. Black, "as though some fresh troops
were coming in."

"That's bad," was Adrian's comment.

"Perhaps not, my lad, if we act quickly."

"How so?"

"The new arrivals may take up the attention of the gang of
bandits outside and we may get away ere they retu