engineering office in the United States. Below this Reade
wrote:

"Hazelton and I are now endeavoring to reach railway and return
immediately. If not heard from soon, look us up promptly through
Washington."

"Our man will know, from this, if he doesn't hear from us soon,"
Tom reflected, "that there has been foul play, and that he must
turn the matter over to the United States Government at Washington
for some swift work by Uncle Sam on our behalf. Once this message
gets through to the other end, Harry and I won't have to worry
much about being able to get out of Mexico in safety."

The sergeant read the English words through carefully.

"Will the senor pardon me for saying," ventured the telegrapher,
"that this message reads much as though yourself and a friend
are trying to escape?"

The man spoke in English, though with a Spanish accent.

"What do you mean, Sergeant?" Tom queried, quickly.

"Why should you need to escape, if you are honest men, engaged
in honest business?" demanded the sergeant, eyeing Reade keenly.

"Why, it isn't a felony to try to get out of Mexico, is it?" Tom
counter-queried.

"That depends," said the sergeant. "It depends, for instance,
on why you are leaving."

"We're leaving because we want to," Tom informed him.

"You are Senor Reade, are you not?" pressed the sergeant, after
eyeing the telegram once more. "And your friend, who does not
appear here in person, is Senor Hazelton? Unless I am wrong,
then you are the two engineers whom Don Luis Montez engaged.
How do I know that you have any right to leave Mexico? How do
I know that you are not breaking a contract?"

"Breaking a contract?" Tom retorted, somewhat indignantly. "Sergeant,
we are not contract laborers. We are civil engineers--professional
men."

"Nevertheless," replied the sergeant, handing back the telegram
into the hands of bewildered. Tom Reade, "I cannot undertake
to send this message until it is endorsed with the written approval
of Don Luis Montez, your employer."

"Does Don Luis own this side of Mexico, or this wing of the Mexican
Army?" Tom inquired, with biting sarcasm.

"I cannot send the telegram, senor, except as I have stated."

Whereupon the sergeant began firmly, though gently, to push Tom
out of the room. Comparing the size and muscular development
of the two, it looked almost humorous to see this effort. But
Tom, who now realized how hopeless his errand was, allowed himself
to be p