is not permit'."

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Cortlandt, unable longer to restrain
herself. "We know the law quite as well or perhaps better than
you, Senor Alfarez. If you wish, Mr. Cortlandt will get permission
from the President. You have a telephone?"

"Oh, soch is farthes' remove' from my thoughts," quickly
interposed the commandant, with his most graceful bow. "If it is
in my power to oblige, w'at matter the law? Pouf! W'at I mean is
this: Our prisoner is not what you call seeck, nor is he ver'
well. He is resis' the officer by force an' he is injure'--oh, but
only a leetle--it is not'ing. One is truly foolish for resis' the
policemans, yes?" He shook his dark head sadly. "I am desolate to
'ear of soch t'ing; it is so useless to stroggle wit' the officer
in disbursement of duty; but you Americans are so brave! I am
force' to admire this prisoner; he is soch a strong fellow."

"I think we understand the circumstances."

Instead of ringing for an orderly the commandant excused himself,
then, after a seemingly interminable delay returned with Anthony
and several policemen.

At sight of his friends the young man made for them eagerly,
crying: "Jove, I'm glad you came! I'd about given you up."

"Allan only found us to-day," Mrs. Cortlandt replied.

"Did he tell the truth? Have you been abused?"