"Stop counting, señor," urged Vicente Tomba quite coolly. "These men have yielded and are going. They will open the other door, pass through it hurriedly, and leave the way open for you."
"Lucky for you, if they do, my Tagalo friend! I will suspend the count for an instant only."
Another stone door was suddenly swung open, by one of the surly fellows, revealing a passage beyond. Into this the eight fairly raced.
"Do not follow too quickly, señor, or one of the rascals may forget himself and turn to fight," declared Tomba.
"It will be bad for you if it happens!"
"It is of myself that I am thinking, señor!" returned the Filipino dryly. Then, after a pause:
"Come, señor. Surely we can pass out safely now."
"Then we'll do so," agreed Sergeant Hal, "and your life be upon our success! Don't try to go more quickly than I move, or I shall suspect you, and with me to suspect is to——"
"Say no more, señor," interrupted the little Filipino. "I understand you better than I did, and I am taking no chances."
Sergeant Overton still retained his left-handed hold on Tomba as the pair passed out to what might mean safety.