“I am not going to waste more time on you,” went on the Spaniard, passionately. “If you send for me before it is too late, I will come. As you value even a few more days of life, don’t tempt fate by taking the trip across the harbor to-night!”
Murmuring these words in the boy’s ears, the scoundrel turned to dart way.
As he did so, another man moved forward, saying quietly:
“I will speak with the prisoner now.”
Hal did not know the speaker until Vasquez stammered:
“The British consul general!”
“Yes,” replied the visitor, Mr. Gollan, “I was informed that a British subject named Maynard had been arrested. I hurried here only to learn that Maynard is an American citizen. Is that the case?”
“It is, sir,” affirmed Hal.
“Still,” smiled Mr. Gollan, “perhaps I can do something. At the request of my government, Consul General Lee turned over to me this afternoon the papers and duties of his office. Mr. Maynard, can you suggest any service that I can do you?”
“Now, I should say so!” vented overjoyed Hal. “I have been arrested on false charges and a trumped-up paper. Can you not demand to see that document?”