“But he didn’t give me any keys,” persisted the prisoner, whose surprise was so great that he forgot all about the dangerous proximity of the pistol.
“Keep still, I say!” repeated Archie; and as the order was followed by a firmer pressure of the muzzle of the weapon against his head, the young Mexican thought it best to comply.
“Where do you suppose those shouts came from?” asked one of the men at the door.
“I don’t know,” replied the other; “and, what is more, I don’t care. What could have become of that rascal Beppo; and why don’t he bring out those horses? that’s what’s troubling me. If we don’t find him very soon, our plans will all be knocked in the head.”
The men seemed to be very much concerned about the young Mexican, and that was a point in Archie’s favor; for they did not remain long at the door, but set out in search of him. Archie watched the light through the grated door until it disappeared, and then began to question his prisoner.
“What’s up here, any how?” he demanded. “What did those men want you to do?”
“Nothing,” replied Beppo.
“Yes they did. You can’t fool me, for I am better posted than you think I am. Where do you suppose those keys are?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I do; and I know, too, that those men promised you a revolver for doing some work for them.”