Suddenly, while they still sat talking, the door was thrown open and a wild figure burst in. With a cry of surprise, the Dreadnought Boys recognized Hank Harkins.
“I claim the protection of the American consul! I am an American,” he began crying and groveling on the floor. Hardly had the words left his lips before some government soldiers entered. Addressing the consul, their leader explained that Hank had been detected fleeing from the insurgent ranks before the Hill of the Ten Saints, and was wanted as a prisoner.
“They’ll shoot me!” screamed Hank miserably. “Save me! Save me!”
Suddenly he noticed the Dreadnought Boys, and appealed frenziedly to them.
“Don’t let them take me,” he cried.
Ned briefly explained to the consul who the groveling wretch was, and then Colonel Thompson, who had some influence with the president of Costaveza, agreed to take charge of Hank. With this assurance the soldiers left the room. But Hank still sobbed convulsively. He had spent the hours of the battle crouched behind a tree, but the savage fighting had terrified him. When it was all over, he tried to sneak into the town unseen, but already the government troops had been told to watch for him, as well as for Charbonde.
“Where is Charbonde?” asked Ned sternly of the cringing creature.
“Dead,” wailed Hank. “He fell, shot in the back, as he was running toward me.”
“A fitting death,” remarked Lieutenant Timmons. “Do you know anything of de Guzman’s whereabouts?”
“No,” Hank declared. He added that he had seen the general in retreat with some of his officers, but had lost sight of him.