Foiled in her attempt, all her bravado
deserted her and running back to her chair, she sank into it and began
to weep.
What in the world should a fellow do in a case like this? Jack didn't
know. Usually, he was equal to emergencies, but this one was something
beyond his understanding. He stood helpless, while the duenna
alternately glared at him and patted her young charge on the back,
muttering soft words of comfort to her meanwhile.
Quickly as the shower came, however, it disappeared. Rafaela pushed
Donna Ana aside impatiently and looked at Jack, smiling through her
tears.
"Well, sir," she said, demurely, "that did not succeed. What do you
intend to do with your prisoners?"
This wasn't so bad. Jack grinned.
"Look here," he said, sensing a kindred spirit. "I'm not a rascal. You
will have to believe me. I haven't done anything so terrible, after
all. You need not be scared of me."
"But who are you, then?" asked the girl. "Listen. They are shouting
through the house. Soon they will be making a search from room to
room."
Jack started. If that were true, when the searchers came to this
locked door, what would happen? He thought for a moment. The daring
idea to take the girl into his confidence and enlist her aid had been
budding in his mind.
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