increasing speed, Mrs. Cortlandt leaned forward and spoke to the
driver.

"We will have a clear track, and you may go as fast as you like."

The next moment the machine was reeling drunkenly around curves
and a fifty-mile gale was roaring past.

Senor Ramen Alfarez was considerably nonplussed when his two
distinguished visitors made known the nature of their errand.
Cortlandt did most of the talking, his cold hauteur serving a good
purpose and contrasting strongly with the suppressed excitement of
his wife.

"Pardon me, there is no necessity for delay," he said, as the
commandant endeavored to formulate an excuse. "I trust I need not
insist upon seeing the prisoner?" He raised his brows with a stare
of inquiry that caused the other to reply, hastily:

"Of a certainty not, senor."

"Then take us to him."

"I will spare your lady the painful sight of the prison-house. The
prisoner shall be fetch' with all despatch."

"We will see him alone."

Again the commandant hesitated, while his bright eyes searched
their faces with a sudden uneasy curiosity. "I am fear soch t'ing