"There will be no to-morrow about it," Mrs. Cortlandt exclaimed,
positively. "If you cannot arrange the bail yourself, my husband
will take up the matter with the Zone Government, and Colonel
Jolson will call upon the President of the republic within an
hour. He is waiting word from us now."

Senor Ramon Alfarez became suddenly galvanized. He broke into
effusive apologies for even so small a delay as had already
occurred. He had not understood the matter to be so urgent, it
seemed; but the wishes of his distinguished guests were his law,
and perhaps he might hasten the wheels of progress if he tried.
While, to be sure, no power was vested in him, and his willing
hands were most miserably tied, nevertheless he would so far
exceed his authority as to promise instant freedom to the
prisoner. There were, of course, certain details to be observed,
the necessity of which filled him with unspeakable regret; but if
he might be excused--He hastened forth to set in motion the proper
machinery, and while he was absent Kirk told his story. It left
the woman white-lipped and incoherent, and roused even the icy
Cortlandt to genuine wrath.

"Of course," the latter said, "Alfarez will prove by his men that
it's all imagination on your part, and that your injuries were
sustained at the time of your arrest. He'll assume a righteous
indignation and start a Spiggoty investigation. You see, his
father is the Governor of Panama Province and one of the strongest
men in the republic, so Ramon will probably make good his
position. Even so, you may recover damages."

"I don't want damages," Kirk replied. "I want to get that Dago out