"We are in your power and cannot help ourselves," the unfortunate Hermaños replied.
"I am very much afraid you cannot," the President returned. "You should have thought of that, however, before you took to kidnapping the head of your country. You were never a man, Hermaños, who could make up his mind!"
Once more the President paused, and looked from one to the other of the wretched men before him.
"Don't play with us," cried one of the others. "If you have made up your mind to shoot us, do so, but don't keep us in suspense."
"Forgive me, it was remiss of me," Fernandez replied with dangerous politeness. "Antoine."
The door was opened immediately, and the major-domo appeared.
"Call up the Guards," said the President.
Antoine disappeared, to return a few moments later with the officer of the Guard and his men.
"Take these gentlemen to the cartel," said the President, "and stand guard over them until daylight. I will send you word within an hour as to what you are to do with them. In the meantime I hold you responsible for their safety."
I was altogether unprepared for this move. Was Fernandez about to break his promise to me? It certainly looked very much like it. I was on the point of expostulating, when the door opened and the Señorita entered hurriedly. She glanced from one to the other of us with a frightened expression upon her face. Then she turned to Fernandez.