"How many of you are followers of the Silver Key, and of Raymon Sorillo?" I asked.
"All, all, master!" they cried.
"And those outside?"
"All, all!" they again shouted.
"I can trust you to help me?"
"To the death, master!" they cried with one voice.
At that I turned to the governor, saying with a smile, "The position is changed, señor. I have but to raise my hand, and you will feel the weight of your own irons. But there is no need to quarrel. Colonel Miller will be here in a few days, and he shall decide between us. Meanwhile we will guard the prisoner."
The governor nearly choked with anger, and threatened violently that as soon as the colonel returned he would have us all shot. However, as it was evident that the soldiers would obey my orders, he raised no further objection to our taking Santiago away.
"By St. Philip," exclaimed the major, "the room was hot! Are you a magician, Crawford?"
"Upon my word I begin to think so. At any rate, I possess a magical key."