but we have beaten them off decisively." He sat down heavily. "It has
been strenuous work," he said. "But that is over. Now to find the
assassin, if he has not already escaped."

"Assassin?" queried Mr. Hampton, in genuine surprise. He had not been
told the Don's belief regarding Jack.

"Yes," said Don Fernandez, violently. "That miserable Obregon." And he
proceeded to relate his version of Jack's arrival.

"Oh, but you are mistaken," said Mr. Hampton, coolly. "That was no
assassin, but my son. He came to attempt to rescue me."

Don Fernandez leaped to his feet, as if shot upward by a spring.

"Your son?" he cried. "Came to rescue you? Preposterous. Then, why are
you here?"

"Because," said Jack, stepping from hiding, with revolver leveled, "I
wanted to meet you."

"Yes, and so did I," said Bob, not to be outdone, as he emerged, also
with leveled weapon, from the other side of the four-poster.

Mr. Hampton quickly slipped the key into the lock of the door, turned
it and drew back. Don Fernandez saw the action. He glared from one to
the other of the three, and then sat down with a resigned shrug of the
shoulders.

"You wanted to meet me?" he said. "I am honored. But, Mr. Hampton,
there is not only one son but two!"

"Not exactly," said the American. "This lad"--laying a hand on Jack's
shoulder--"is my son, the young man you pursued for a time tonight.
This other"--placing his other hand on Bob's shoulder--"is my son's
chum."

"Well," said Don Fernandez, the faintest suggestion of a twinkle in
his eye, "now that you have met me, as you desired, what have you to
say?"

"Just this," said Jack, boldly, "we want you to permit us to leave
under safe conduct. We want to take father with us in Bob's airplane.
Oh, yes, it was my chum's airplane which your men stole in Long
Island. But we have gotten it back again."

"So?" said Don Fernandez. "Well, nothing surprises me tonight. And
where, may I ask, are Morales and Von Arnheim? I see you are wearing
their clothes."

"We have got them imprisoned," said Jack. "But we are in earnest, sir,
about this. We are armed and have the upper hand, and we mean to have
your protection. If you are armed, you had better give your weapon to
father."

"As your father very well knows," said the Don, "I never carry
weapons. And now"--with grave courtesy--"if you will permit me, young
sir, I would like to speak privately with your father."

At a nod of agreement from his father,