“I shall follow your advice, sir,” said Mr. Willing. “You know more about these brutes than I do.”
“Then we shall call on Hernandez,” said the consul. “Come.”
He called a cab, and all were soon at the home of Señor Hernandez, who Consul Edwards explained, was one of the foremost of the revolutionists in western Mexico.
Señor Hernandez received them cordially, and expressed surprise at the story Mr. Willing related. He even called his wife into consultation.
“If our party is concerned in this matter I am not aware of it,” he told them. “I shall make inquiries, and if I find it is true, someone shall pay dearly.”
“Oh, some of your fellows have captured them all right,” declared Dick angrily. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you know all about it.”
“Sir!” exclaimed the Mexican, drawing himself up.
“Mr. Stanley!” exclaimed the consul. “You forget yourself!”
Even Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton apologized to the Mexican for Dick’s outburst.
“Say no more about it, señors,” was the suave reply. “Youth is always hot-headed, you know.”