n bearing.

It was instinct rather than conscious thought which checked the cry on
his lips. Instinct told him a shout would mean betrayal, and the
shattering of his desperate plan.

Yet careless of who might see, he stood there looking up at the
distant figure until it was lost to view, cut off by the outjutting
roof above him. That one sight, however, lifted a vast load from the
boy's mind. His father, at least, was not mistreated. Evidently the
man with him was the Don. And as evidently his father was treated more
as guest than prisoner.

At sound of a footstep on the marble tiles behind him, Jack returned
with a start to a realization of his surroundings and the perils of
his position. Assuming a carelessness which he was far from feeling,
he refrained from turning about but instead started walking for that
left wing ahead in the tower of which he knew his father to be lodged.

But the step behind him was accelerated, and he was hailed by name as
Morales. Jack halted. Here was the first ordeal to be passed. Well, he
was prepared for it. According to his plan, he had bound his face in a
handkerchief and intended to pretend having the toothache. The
swathings partly hid his features, and the pulled-down hat further
obscured them.

"I'm busy. Don't delay me," he growled in Spanish, imitating Morales'
voice.

The newcomer approached. It was Muller.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE NIGHT ATTACK

When Jack's figure had become merged in the shadows of the grove, big
Bob, standing beside the airplane, reached a decision.

"Not a soul in sight here," he muttered to himself, once more letting
his gaze rove over his surroundings. "Jack thought it would be best
for me to stay here, but nobody's going to monkey with the plane. I'm
going to follow him--till he reaches the house, anyhow. He may need my
help."

Thus the big fellow salved his conscience for departing from orders.
But he was so eager to take a hand in proceedings that he felt it
would be torture to stay behind. He was dressed in Von Arnheim's
clothes. And his build was that of the German aviator. If he were
observed, he would not be suspected. Even his atrocious Spanish would
not betray him, as the German spoke the language almost as horribly as
he.

Thus he reasoned to himself, as he strode rapidly after Jack.

When he reached the other side of the grove, and came in sight of the
ranch house Bob, as Jack had done, halted in amazement at sight of the
spl