Holding all the power of Mexico in his hands he was indeed something to be dreaded.

The generals about the table never spoke.

But Ned remembered the words of Roylston.
"A great merchant named John Roylston has been a good friend to me," he said.

"He told me that if I should ever fall into your hands I was to mention his name to you, and to say that he considered my life of value." The expression of the dictator changed.

He frowned, and then regarded Ned intently, as if he would read some secret that the boy was trying to hide.
"And so you know John Roylston," he said at length, "and he wishes you to say to me that your life is of value." Ned saw the truth at once.