Of course he did not know that Billie was hearing all that was going on, but he felt sure that he was safe.
At the first opportunity he had explained to Adrian his solution of the mystery, and both had confidence that in some way Billie would bring about their escape, although they could not see how.
Because of this confidence they kept a bold front, but it must be admitted that they thought their last hour had come when Don Rafael had declared that he would have them shot immediately. When he gave orders to suddenly leave the place, they were much mystified, not knowing that a guilty conscience had filled him with a great fear.
After leaving the place where they were captured, the boys were first escorted to the cuartel by a shouting, howling mob. Here they were examined by a petty officer. After that they were conducted into the presence of the commanding general and again examined with a view to finding out what their mission really was. Finally, they were turned over to a corporal, and after several hours were locked up in a room in the barracks to await further action.
“Well!” exclaimed Adrian, as soon as they were left alone. “This seems the most serious situation in which we have ever found ourselves!”
“Possibly so,” replied Donald; “but we know that Billie is at work to get us out.”
“We certainly do,” affirmed Adrian; “just as he knew we were at work to rescue him when he was captured by the smugglers; but it is going to be a great deal harder to get to us, with a battle line all around us. For my part, the situation seems hopeless.”
“'While there is life there is hope,’ says the old proverb,” declared Donald, “and we are very much alive.”
“Yes, and able to put up a fight if we had a chance; but what chance is there, when we have been deprived of our arms, and will be taken from this room by a file of soldiers? No, old man”—and there was a visible tremor in Adrian’s voice—“I’m afraid our time has come.”
He bowed his face in his hands, and for some minutes both the boys were silent. Then Adrian straightened up, and, looking Donald squarely in the face, said: