to Los Bocos. If you fail--''

MacWilliams could not wait to hear more; he gave a curt nod to
the men and started toward the stairs. ``Wait,'' the
comandante called after him.

MacWilliams paused with one hand on top of the banisters
balancing himself in readiness for instant flight.

``You have not answered me. Did you meet with any one on your
ride here from Los Bocos?''

``I met several men on foot, and the mail carrier passed me a
league out from the coast, and oh, yes, I met a carriage at the
cross roads, and the driver asked me the way of San Pedro Sula.''

``A carriage?--yes--and what did you tell him?''

``I told him he was on the road to Los Bocos, and he turned back
and--''

``You are sure he turned back?''

``Certainly, sir. I rode behind him for some distance. He
turned finally to the right into the trail to San Pedro Sula.''

The man flung himself across the railing.

``Quick,'' he commanded, ``telegraph to Morales, Comandante
San Pedro Sula--''