CHAPTER IX.
A FASTING STUNT IS SUGGESTED.
While Ned and Jimmie were wondering how they were to escape from the subterranean chamber, Frank Shaw sat in the private room in the old house on the road to the Culebra cut, facing the gentleman of military carriage and wondering what would be the next move in the complicated game.
“How long have you known Lieutenant Gordon?” the man asked. “I beg your pardon,” he said, without giving the boy opportunity to answer the question, “but I have not yet told you who I am, and you can hardly be expected to answer questions asked by an unknown person, especially when so much is at stake. I am Colonel Sharrow, of the United States army, detailed on Canal Zone duty.”
The man’s manners were frank and engaging, his personal appearance that of an officer in the service, yet Frank did not trust him. He did not believe that Lieutenant Gordon had sent for the boys. He did not make answer to the question asked concerning the lieutenant, and it was asked again, in this way:
“Have you known Lieutenant Gordon long?”
“A very short time,” was the reply.
“You were with him in Mexico?”
“I met him in Mexico. I did not go there with him, nor did I travel in his company, except on the way out.”
“Do you think he is entirely loyal to the government?” was the next question.