“But why are you here?” asked Santiago.
In just as few words as possible Billie explained.
“And you have seen Pancho Villa?” queried Santiago.
“Yes, and things are just as I tell you. Don Rafael and Don Pablo are both enemies of Mexico. They are both working for their own advancement. You know that a war with the United States is the last thing honest Mexicans desire.”
“Undoubtedly. And you think the possession of these drafts will aid you in preventing it?”
“Unquestionably,” was Billie’s emphatic reply.
“Then go! I shall make no attempt to detain you, although I am powerless right now to aid you. This shall be a part of the reward I promised you. When you can come to me and tell me that Don Rafael is no more, you shall have the rest. Now go, before the men return. They are a wild lot. and now that the revolution has broken out, there is no controlling them.”
Billie started for the stairs; but, before he reached them, he could hear the men coming in, grumbling at their ill luck and in finding no one.
“Wait,” said Santiago. “I will go down and attract their attention, so that you may come down. Be careful.”
Suiting the action to the word, Santiago ran quickly down the stairs, as though just awakened.