Colonel Ashton also stepped forward and angrily demanded that Mabel be produced at once. Then Mrs. Sebastian spoke.
“They have escaped!” she declared.
Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton were skeptical. Mrs. Sebastian saw that they did not believe her.
“It is true,” she declared. “They locked me in a room and jumped from a window. Hernandez has gone after them.”
“We’ll wait here for Hernandez to return,” decided General Seauterey. “We’ll get him when he comes back, and if he has the prisoners it will save us further search.”
None doubted that this was the best plan, and so all sat down to wait, General Seauterey meanwhile keeping watch at the door himself.
Suddenly he sprang to his feet.
“Here he comes—alone!” he cried.
He motioned his men to the door.
“He’ll run when he sees the broken door,” he said. “I’ll command him to halt. If he doesn’t obey, fire.”