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FOUR WOULD-BE PLUNDERERS.
195

of the Spaniards, and making, final and ineffectual passes at us with their daggers, they ran out of the alleyway and down the street.

"Come in! come in before it is too late!" went on the clerk, and we leaped into the back office. He immediately closed the door and locked it. All was pitch-dark and we had to feel our way around.

In a few brief words we explained the situation, to which he listened impatiently, his ear meanwhile inclined toward a heavily barred window, which, as is usual in this country, had no glass.

"Yes, I have the money here still," he said. "But it is not in the safe. It is where they cannot find it, even if they search for hours."

"You have buried it?" whispered Dan.

"Yes, and cemented the flooring over it. I was bound to protect our firm's interests, no matter what happened."

"You shall lose nothing by your actions," I returned warmly. "Father and the other partners shall know of your bravery."

"It has been a constant excitement ever since Commodore Dewey brought on that battle," went on Harry Longley. "It's a pity he lost so many men."

"Why, he didn't lose a single man," said Dan.

"He didn't! Why, they have it reported in