"Step back a little," he said.
All obeyed, when at the instant the door was thrown open and a
hand, in which was an automatic revolver, was thrust out,
directly in the face of the officer.
But quick as was the action, Donald was not taken off his guard.
With a single swift blow he struck the weapon into the air.
At the same instant a fusillade from the rear of the house gave
evidence that the men stationed upon the wall had done their
work.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BILLIE MAKES A DISCOVERY.
Having released Lieut. Grimes and taken the plotters into
custody, the next task was to locate Strong, the mountebank, and
to solve the mystery of the box.
Outside the one exclamation which Donald had uttered when he
recognized Strong as the third of the plotters, he had not
betrayed his secret to any one, and when Lieut. Grimes told his
story to Gen. Funston and described the American, Donald
vouchsafed no information which might help to apprehend him.
"The plotter told the Mexicans that he could be found at the
Hidalgo Hotel whenever he was wanted," explained Lieut. Grimes.
"While he may have lied about it, I think we should send a force
and try to locate him."
The advice was acted upon and a corporal and four soldiers sent
to the hotel, but to no purpose.
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