Herc echoed his words.
“Better make it unanimous,” grunted Stanley.
“I will have you searched!” shouted the general, “and then have you shot afterward.”
“Search away. Your soldiers will get some exercise, and that is all.”
The general stepped to the door and beckoned. A man stepped up to him—some one who had evidently been awaiting some such signal. With a start of astonishment the boys recognized the proprietor of the Villa Esperenza.
“Now, my good cousin,” said the general, addressing him, “did you not overhear these men consulting about this will?”
“Indeed, I did. It was in one of my soda summer houses. I heard every word.”
“You did, did you, you sea-swab?” bellowed Stanley. “I wish I’d got my fists on you then. There’d have been one less in the soda business.”
“And what became of the document?”
“That man there”—the man pointed out Ned—“thrust it into his sailor upper garment.”