to put as much distance as possible between us and Don Luis's home."

"We'll go out through the front door, though, when we go," Tom
proposed. "We won't sneak."

They did not encounter Gato on the way back to the big, white
house. Though they did not know it, the boys were being trailed
by the alert, barefooted Nicolas. Nor did that servant feel easy
until he had seen them softly enter the house. Then Nicolas,
as before, stretched himself on the floor before the door of the
rooms occupied by the young engineers.

Tom's alarm clock woke him that morning. In another moment Reade
was vigorously shaking Hazelton.

"Now don't give a sign to-day," Tom whispered to his friend.
"If Don Luis is going to be crafty, we shall have to fight him
with craft--at the outset, anyway."

"I hate to eat the old scoundrel's food," muttered Harry.

"So do I, but it can't be helped for the present. We're not guilty
of a breach of hospitality in planning to show the rascal up.
It is Don Luis who is guilty in that direction. He is planning
to use his guests as puppets in a dishonest game. Keep up your
nerve, Harry, and don't let your face, your manner, or anything
give you away."

Nicolas knocked as soon as he heard the boys stirring. He moved
with speed this morning, spreading the table and then rushing away