"There is a price on that man's head. Seize him and see to it that he does not escape."
Not a man stirred. O'Connor, who had rolled a cigarette, turned to Serano.
"May I trouble you for a light, general. There is no reason why we should not talk this thing over calmly."
"Dogs," continued the general, stamping his foot, "why do you not obey me? Seize that man. He is a desperate outlaw."
Some of the men jeered and others took a threatening step or two in the direction of the general, who jumped back into a corner of the corridor.
"What plot is this?" he gasped.
"Those are my men, general," said O'Connor calmly. "I should advise you not to be so violent. They do not like your language, you see. May I trouble you for that light?"
Serano drew out his match box and held it at arms length, lest O'Connor come too near him.
"Have no fear, sir," said O'Connor, who saw his perturbation, "No harm will come to you if you are wise enough to follow my instructions. You see, you are helpless. We hold the jail and no one will discover the plot until the watch is changed at midnight. Your guards are bound and gagged, and enjoying a siesta with your spy, Villamonte, in there." "Villamonte, too," exclaimed Serano, in surprise.
"Yes; he was kind enough to secure for me the entree to your jail, a favor any one in town would have been eager to grant, I doubt not, but Monte was the first to present himself. Perhaps you would like to see him. You will find him in there with the others."