The girl sighed. “Yes; you might as well let them land now,” she instructed the sailor at the wheel. “As he says, nothing is to be gained by detaining them any longer.”
The launch landed some distance away from the point where the Camera Chap was struggling in the grasp of the captives. As Reyes and the reporter ran eagerly along the beach toward the group, they saw Lieutenant Ridder suddenly project himself into the tableau and threaten Portiforo with a revolver.
They did not know, then, that the man thus threatened was Portiforo. They had no expectation of finding the president there, for his visit to the fortress had been in the nature of a little surprise party to the garrison. But, as they drew nearer, Gale recognized the corpulent form of the chief executive of Baracoa, and announced his discovery to his companion, who promptly proceeded to distinguish himself by stealing up behind Ridder and throwing his arms around that reckless young man.
“Excellently done, my brave Ernesto!” Portiforo chuckled as the soldiers went to Reyes’ assistance and took charge of the discomfited American naval officer. “Possibly, señor,” he sneered, addressing Ridder, “you will regret, now, that you did not take advantage of my good nature and go back to your ship while you had the chance. Of course, after the outrage you have committed, you must realize that your uniform cannot save you from the consequences of your mad act.”
Ridder shrugged his shoulders. “I’m ready to take my medicine,” he said quietly. “I trust, however, Mr. President,” he added anxiously, pointing to the three sailors who had followed him ashore, “you will not find it necessary to hold these men. They have done nothing.”
Portiforo held a brief debate with himself, and decided to permit the sailors to return to the Kearsarge. They appeared to be loath to leave their young officer, who was very popular with all the men, but he smilingly ordered them to go, and they put back to the ship in the launch.
“Take these rascals and lock them both up!” the president commanded fiercely, pointing to the Camera Chap and the navy man. “Until further orders, nobody is to be permitted to communicate with either of them. But wait a minute! There is one little detail which almost escaped my attention. Before we lock him up, we will first relieve Señor Hawley of the camera with which he took that audacious flash-light picture.”
“Here it is, Señor Presidente,” announced Gale, bending down and picking up a small pocket kodak which was lying on the ground near the Camera Chap’s feet and handing it to Portiforo. “Guess he was trying to get rid of the evidence,” he added, with a grin.
“Thank you, Señor Gale,” said the president, regarding the camera with great satisfaction. “This is a dainty little thing. We will have the film developed as soon as possible,” he continued, with a sardonic smile. “I have heard much of Señor Hawley’s great skill as a photographer, and I am most anxious to see for myself what kind of work he can do.”
“Will you let me have a copy of the picture, Señor Presidente?” the News reporter requested, seemingly with great eagerness.