Part 38 (1/2)

”What key?” gasped Jose.

”The key of the door by which you have just left the fort. I saw you do so. You cannot deceive me.”

”And this is my answer!”

With these words Jose tore himself loose, and then an instant later, he flew at Young Glory, knife in hand. But his foot caught in some vegetation, and he fell forward.

As he did so, a large key dropped from his pocket.

”The key!” shouted Young Glory, making for it, with a glad look on his face.

”You shall not have it!” cried Jose. ”Death first!”

”Yes, death for you!”

Young Glory seized the frantic Spaniard as he struggled to reach the key. For a moment or so, they swayed about on the bluff. Then Young Glory, exerting all his strength, tossed the spy backwards, releasing his hold so as to save himself from going with him.

Jose Castro went cras.h.i.+ng down the bluff towards the sea and the jagged rocks which lay below.

”The last of the spy!” cried Young Glory.

He did not press forward to inquire further into Jose's fate, but flying through the wood at full speed, he burst in on his astonished comrades.

”Saved!” he cried.

”Saved, Young Glory! What does this mean?”

”That I will lead you into the fort, sir. Follow me!”

Stealthily the entire band, hidden from view by the trees, reached the door.

”When it is open, dash in!” said Young Glory. ”Not a moment must be lost!”