The Camera Chap made an impulsive move toward the door, but Señora Felix stopped him with an imploring gesture. “You can do nothing,” she whispered, the tears streaming down her face. “I beg of you not to make matters worse by interfering.”
“But what does it mean?” Hawley demanded. “Why are they arresting that——”
“Listen!” the woman interrupted tensely.
“I am at your service, gentlemen,” they heard the venerable physician say again. “But might I inquire the nature of the charge against me?”
“You are accused of aiding and abetting General Rodriguez to escape from the arsenal prison,” came the grim reply. “If you are innocent, doctor, you have no cause to fear. You will have a fair trial.”
“Very good, señor,” exclaimed the aged man, his voice trembling. “I am ready to go with you.”
The Camera Chap, an expression of astonishment on his face, turned to the señora. “Is it true?” he whispered.
She nodded, and, sinking into a chair, covered her face with her hands. Then, suddenly, she jumped to her feet, and stood quivering like a hunted animal as another voice reached them: “How about searching the premises before we go, captain?”
The Camera Chap glanced almost instinctively toward the heavy portières which draped the window. They did not offer a very promising chance of concealment for himself and the señora, but they appeared to be the best that the room offered. Fortunately, however, it did not come to that. He and the woman exchanged a glance of congratulation as they heard the man addressed as captain reply carelessly: “No; we need not bother to search the house. We had no orders to do so. All we want is our prisoner.”
“I am ready to accompany you, gentlemen,” said Doctor Bonsal.