"See! two of them are helping away a woman. Why, Jack! it is the prisoner, Señora de Caprian! She is trying to escape."
In a moment the whole situation was plain to them. The brawl and fight was simply a ruse to catch the attention of the soldiers while the captive woman made her escape. So cleverly had it been carried out so far, that it was likely to succeed beyond the most sanguine expectation.
Ronie glanced hurriedly around to see that the orderly and his men were in the thickest of the mob, oblivious of all except the hand-to-hand tussle. Another minute and the captive would be beyond recapture, except, possibly, after a long chase. His first thought was that of gladness for the unfortunate woman, then he remembered that there was another side to the question, and that it might be well to retain her as a prisoner of war. He decided quickly upon his course of action; whether it was right or wrong must be proven in the future.
CHAPTER XVIII.
RONIE RECEIVES A COMMISSION.
"She must not be allowed to escape, Jack!" exclaimed Ronie. "I heard Colonel Marchand say that she knows secrets which it would not be well for his enemies to learn."
"Ay, lad; it is not too late for us to stop them."
Without further delay the twain sprang forward, and were in season to intercept the fugitives. As they brought their firearms to bear upon the men who had constituted themselves Señora de Caprian's escort, Ronie cried, sharply:
"Stand where you are!"