“Speaking of Guadalupe,” exclaimed Adrian, “I’d forgotten all about her! What became of her?”
“Don Antonio took her home long ago,” replied Donald. Then to Billie: “Then what did Santiago do?”
“He just took charge of the both of us as though he owned us. He didn’t even appear nervous. You would have thought that he was in the habit of being blown up. A peon wouldn’t have done that! He would have thought only of himself.”
“That’s so,” declared Pedro; “I’ve seen them do it.”
“Well, Santiago didn’t. As soon as he had gained his feet after the explosion knocked him down, he picked Guadalupe up in his arms, and, calling out to me to follow him, he dashed out into the cave. The place was full of men, but they were for the most part busy getting into the boats. They evidently thought that the only attack they had to
fear was from the rear and were all hurrying to get out.
“Without stopping to speak to anyone, he turned toward the rear of the cave, stood still for a moment, as though looking for something on the wall, and then gave a sudden push with his hand. As though by magic the opening appeared through which you saw the three of us come and by which Don Rafael escaped.”
“Then why can’t we find the place?” interrupted Adrian.
Billie shook his head slowly.
“That’s part of the mystery,” he finally said.