Had he made a mistake in invading this house, only to find that his mission was to be fruitless?
Then he suspected Mexican treachery.
"Pardon me," he urged in Spanish, "if I satisfy myself that you are telling the truth.

Stand where you are, all of you, and no harm shall come to you.

But don't make the mistake of moving or of reaching for weapons." Darrin strode swiftly past the group and stepped into a hallway, in which were stairs leading above.
"Are there any Americans here," he shouted, "who want help?
If so, there are American sailors here ready to give aid." From above there came a single exclamation of joy, followed by a scurrying of feet.
From above sounded a voice demanding in Spanish: "Shall I let the prisoners go ?" "You will have to," answered the same voice that had answered Dave.

"We are attacked by _los marineros Americanos_." (American sailors).
For the men in the other room now knew that there were more than these four seamen at hand.

As soon as he heard voices inside Riley had cleverly caused his men to walk about the house with heavy tread, and the Mexicans believed themselves to be outnumbered.
"Is it true that there are American sailors below ?" called a man's husky voice.
"A detachment from the United States Navy, sir," Dave replied, gleefully.