Vickers sprang after him, but as he did so he felt his arm caught, and turning saw Doctor Nuñez.
“I must see you alone for an instant, but at once,” he said, in a low tone.
“More trouble!” said Vickers, leading the way to his old bedroom, which was the only spot in the house secure from the inroads of the party. He shut the door behind them, and invited the doctor to sit down, but Nuñez did not notice the suggestion.
“I have just come from town,” he said. “Your immediate arrest is decided on. The police may be here in a few minutes.”
“My arrest? Well, what the— Why in thunder am I to be arrested?”
“On suspicion of conspiring against the government. You are thought to have great influence with the men, which, taken in conjunction with your friendship for Cortez, makes you dangerous.”
“Well, if that isn’t the darndest,” said Vickers. “I have not conspired against their old government.”
“That, my dear Luis,” said the doctor gravely, “has nothing whatsoever to do with it. They are coming to arrest you. The mere presence of Cortez in the house will be enough. They can not arrest him without precipitating immediate trouble, but they can arrest any one who will be of assistance to him. It seems he has boasted openly that he could get all the ammunition he wanted from you. I do not say I believe it.”
“I have just sent all the cartridges he wanted out to the coche which is at this moment standing before my door,” said Vickers.
“Then you must certainly go at once.”