Two hours more Phil waited, until he was sure that the camp was sunk in slumber. Convinced of this, he turned on his batteries and saw the light spring into the filament.
Then Phil touched the key!
CHAPTER XXVIII
In Hot Haste
Dick and Tom were in Steve’s quarters that night, a prey to the deepest restlessness and anxiety. The amount of the ransom had been collected, and they were awaiting the return of the messenger from Espato’s band. He had promised to be back in a week for the money but was already a day overdue.
“What could have happened?” fumed Dick, as he paced restlessly about the room.
“All sorts of things,” replied Steve gloomily. “It’s possible that in a fit of drunken rage Espato may have killed Phil. Or again Phil may have tried to escape and have been brought down by a shot.”
Tom winced at the very possibility.
“Even then, though,” he suggested, “the Mexican might come for the money just the same in the hope that he’d get it anyway and then give us the double cross.”
“If the scoundrel does, he’s got the biggest surprise of his life coming to him,” snapped Steve. “I don’t know just what plans Captain Bradley has for ensuring Phil’s safe delivery in case the ransom is paid, but he’s a wise bird and you can bet that no greaser will be able to put one over on him.”
Just at that moment the Captain himself stepped into the room and they stood at salute.