“Didn’t want you poking into trouble,” explained the other. “Feel that I owe it to Mr. Hampton. But our trouble’s for nothing,” he added, looking about, “unless—”
He ceased abruptly and leaped forward, Frank at his heels. Both had seen that shapeless bundle, looking like an old roll of carpet, begin to quiver. The roof was flat, a low parapet rimming it. In one corner lay the bundle, and the westering sun in their eyes had so dazzled them at first that they had not seen it. But now—
They pulled up together beside the strange object, and Captain Cornell stirred it with a foot. “Come out,” he commanded in Spanish, “and have a care. I am armed.”
The faded carpet covering what they now could see was a man out-stretched his full length, quivered. But no man emerged.
“I’ll cover him, Frank,” said Captain Cornell. “Do you take off the carpet.”
Frank seized an end of the carpet and tugged. But the carpet did not come away. Instead, the object beneath began to roll toward him. A man was rolled up inside. Once, twice, he turned over. Then the end of the carpet was reached, and the man lay exposed.
“By the ring-tailed caterpillar,” cried Frank, using his wildest expletive. “It’s Don Ferdinand.” And he flung himself on his knees, and began fumbling at the knotted rope wound ’round and ’round the form of his old acquaintance, who was trussed from head to heel. “Lend a hand, Captain. Or, wait, I’ll cut those ropes.” And he fished for his pocket knife, and getting it out, opened and began to slash the bonds. A moment later he desisted in order to pull away the huge bandanna knotted about the aristocratic Don Ferdinand’s jaw and efficiently stopping speech. The moment the gag was withdrawn, the old Don began to sputter.
“Hey, Captain,” Frank cried excitedly, “run to the edge of the roof and call out to the fellows.”
And as Captain Cornell hastened away to comply, Frank finished the task of releasing the Don and then assisted him to his feet. Don Ferdinand was so stiff from his bonds as to be unable to stand without assistance. But his tongue wasn’t stiff. It rattled on at a great rate. Frank, whose Spanish was somewhat rusty from disuse, had difficulty in understanding, so voluble was the Don’s speech. He knew, however, that his old friend was pouring vials of wrath on the head of the missing Ramirez; and he was tempted to smile, but by an effort managed to refrain.
In the mean time, he assisted Don Ferdinand to the open trap door, impressing on him that Ramirez had fled and that friends waited below. They were joined by Captain Cornell, who helped Frank lower the older man to the stool below. Thereupon the two followed, pulling the trap shut behind them. Captain Cornell urged haste.