were outnumbered.

Out of the huddled buildings, which the boys had only glimpsed at the
rear of the great ranch house boiled scores of rebel soldiery,
rubbing the sleep from their eyes, hugging their rifles as they
trotted forward in bare feet. Within the house, the search for Jack
was temporarily abandoned, while the peppery little Don Fernandez
Calomares, alarmed at this night attack which might mean that the
government troops were in force, hastened to take command outdoors.

To Bob, who having crossed the crest of the hill had shut off his
motor and volplaning, the shots and cries of the attackers came
distinctly. He had intended making a hazardous landing beyond the
rebel lines and returning afoot to try and rescue Jack. But this
newest development in the situation caused him to open the motor and
start to spiralling upward.

CHAPTER XXVII

SENORITA RAFAELA

Meantime, what of Jack.

After bowling Muller over and fleeing from the sentries drawn by the
latter's shout, Jack ran through the great arched doorway into the
left wing of the palace. Ahead lay a dark corridor, upon which opened
the doors of the ground floor rooms. He was in a round entranceway
from which ascended a flight of winding stone steps to the balconied
upper floor and the turret rooms above. Up there, somewhere, was his
father. Jack paused only a moment, then sprang up the steps.

As he reached the upper landing, he heard the sound of footsteps
descending from the tower. He listened a moment. They were not the
familiar footsteps of his father.

He must act quickly, if he were to stand any chance of escape.
Springing forward, revolver in hand, he seized the knob of the nearest
door on the balcony, found the door give and leaped in, pushing it to
behind him and setting his back against it.

The room was brightly lighted, evidently a young lady's boudoir. This
much his first glance showed Jack. It showed him also two women--one
young and very beautiful, the other wizened and monkey-like, both
terrified and speechless. They were Don Fernandez' daughter, Rafaela,
and her duenna or chaperone, Donna Ana.

"Quiet," hissed Jack in Spanish, waving his weapon threateningly.

He listened with strained attention to sounds from outside. The
menacing footsteps reached the landing, and then continued to descend.
Jack turned the key in the lock. He was none too soon. A moment later
the padding of the bare feet of the sentries sounded muffled