ulders. "However, I may be able to arrange the
matter with the authorities."

"And, if you can't arrange it--?"

"Why, then, I dare say, my friends, you will have to be arrested
again. Then you would be taken to one of our prisons until your
trial came off. You might even be held _incommunicado_, which
means that, as prisoners, you would not be allowed to communicate
with the outside world--not even with your American government."

"And how long would we be held _incommunicado_?" Tom asked.

Don Luis gave another shrug of his shoulders.

"You would be held _incommunicado_, Senor Reade, until the judges
were ready to try you."

"And that might be years off," Tom muttered.

Don Luis beamed delightedly, while a thin smile curled on Dr. Tisco's
lips.

"You are beginning, senor, to get some grasp of Mexican law,"
laughed Montez.

"In other words, Don Luis," said Tom, dryly, "it's a game wherein
you can't possibly lose, and we can remain out of prison only as
long as you are gracious enough to will it?"

"That might be rather a strong way of stating the case," murmured
the Mexican. "However, after your unlawful act of last night,
you undoubtedly are liable to a long confinement in one of our
prisons. But believe me, Senor Reade, you may command me as far
as my humble influence with our government goes!"

The situation was certainly one to make Tom think hard. He was
certain that Don Luis had engineered the whole situation, even
to urging Gato on to a part in this grin drama.

"Well, you've got us!" sighed Tom.

"You will find me your best friend, always," protested Montez.

"You have us," Tom continued, "but you haven't our signatures
to the report on your mine. That is going to be more difficult."

"Time heals all breaches between gentlemen who should be friends,"
declared Don Luis, quite graciously.

After that it was a silent party that rode in the touring car.
Though the road back to the estate was worthy of no such name
as road, the big car none the less "ate up the miles." It was
not long before the young engineers caught sight of the big white
house.

"Come, gentlemen," begged Don Luis, alighting, and turning to
the young engineers with a courtly grace that concealed a world
of mockery. "You will find your rooms ready, and my household
ready to minister to your comfort."

Tom Reade, as he stepped upon the porch, drew himself up as stiffly
as any American soldier could have done.

"We