"And what do they say about me in Belize? asked the don.
"Why, that you're the greatest rascal unhung!"
"They say more than that," added Speake wrathfully, "and that you'll be hung, one o' these fine days."
Speake was chagrined and spiteful because of the way he and his mates had been taken in by the plausible revolutionist at the start off. He saw, now, how farsighted Motor Matt was in refusing to have anything to do with the don.
Carlos Valdez smiled ironically.
"What they say doesn't make any material difference," he answered. "I have been in Belize for a week. I walked the streets openly, and no one dared to molest me. Why, I even went to the Spanish consul and asked for a passport. While he was preparing to make it out, I felled him with a blow and left him bound and gagged in his own sitting room. I had to do that, you see, before I dared to call on you, Motor Matt, and impersonate him."
"At any rate," said Motor Matt, "I am glad of one thing."
"And that is?"
"That Don Ramon Ortega is not the villain I know you to be."
"Your opinion counts for as little as does that of the people of Belize," returned the don easily. "You have not answered my question as to whether you and your men would accept our proposal."