"You would be held incommunicado, Senor Reade, until the judges were ready to try you."
"And that might be years off," Tom muttered.
Don Luis beamed delightedly, while a thin smile curled on Dr. Tisco's lips.
"You are beginning, senor, to get some grasp of Mexican law," laughed Montez.
"In other words, Don Luis," said Tom, dryly, "it's a game wherein you can't possibly lose, and we can remain out of prison only as long as you are gracious enough to will it?"
"That might be rather a strong way of stating the case," murmured the Mexican. "However, after your unlawful act of last night, you undoubtedly are liable to a long confinement in one of our prisons. But believe me, Senor Reade, you may command me as far as my humble influence with our government goes!"
The situation was certainly one to make Tom think hard. He was certain that Don Luis had engineered the whole situation, even to urging Gato on to a part in this grin drama.
"Well, you've got us!" sighed Tom.
"You will find me your best friend, always," protested Montez.
"You have us," Tom continued, "but you haven't our signatures to the report on your mine. That is going to be more difficult."