As the crash of splintering glass resounded, the place was plunged in darkness, but the howls of the two savage brutes showed that the burning oil had singed their skins.
Without waiting an instant, Nat plunged off through the darkness, in the direction in which he judged the door lay. As he dashed forward, he collided with a body, no doubt one of the South Americans. Down went the fellow before Nat’s onrush, just as if he had opposed him on the football field.
But in the meantime, Durkee had recovered his wits and scrambled out of the dog-pit. His rough voice came bawling through the darkness with appalling ferocity.
Fear of this ruffian lent Nat winged feet. He found the door, darted through it and then down the passage and out into the dark street. At the far end of it he could see lights gleaming. He made for these at top speed and found himself in a well-lighted plaza opposite the cathedral.
He knew that the ruffians would not dare to pursue him there, and, spying an alguzil, or native policeman, he made his way to him. In Spanish Nat explained the outrage that had been perpetrated on him, and demanded that the police investigate instantly.
To his astonishment, the man merely shrugged his shoulders, and twisted his little black moustache. He said that nothing could be done that night.
“To-morrow, perhaps, but not to-night, señor,” he replied, and turned away to strut off on his beat once more.
“Gee whiz!” muttered Nat, as he watched this competent conserver of law and order, “what wouldn’t I give for a good American cop with a big nightstick, right now. However, it’s no good trying to wake that chap up, and those rascals must have decamped by this time, anyhow. Wonder if they meant to rob me, or what? Funny thing that two of the voices sounded so familiar. If it hadn’t been for the impossibility of their being here, I could almost have sworn that they were the voices of Lawless and Durkee.”
As it was past the hour at which he had promised to return to the consulate, Nat set off at a brisk pace. Once he had to ask his way. The man he inquired of, a woe-begone looking personage in a long cloak and a cone-shaped hat, replied with great volubility.
“I will guide the señor there,” he declared.