"I can cause the patriots who doubtless have the boys to return them to you.
Odd that they should have carried them off," he added, with a scowl.
The man's inference was that the boys were being held as hostages, but this Nestor did not believe.

Fremont had been taken away before the arrest of Don Miguel.
"That would be a very good move--for your interest," Nestor said, in reply to the suggestion.

"As the lieutenant says, we prefer to take our chances on finding the boys.

Your friends might want to interfere with your trip to Washington if they knew our intentions concerning you." "You will soon see your mistake," was the significant reply.
During this talk the night watchman and the Mexican had remained silent, but it was plain that they had not lost a word that had been said.

Especially when the talk of restoring Fremont to his friends was going on, the watchman had cast significant glances at Felix.
"Was it a part of the conspiracy," Nestor asked, facing the three men, "to abduct Fremont if he left New York?
Or was it the intention to murder him there ?" Don Miguel turned to Nestor with a sneer on his rather handsome face.
It was evident that he did not relish being questioned by a mere youth.
"I know nothing of the urchin to whom you refer," he said, scornfully.
"I do not deal with precocious infants." Nestor checked an angry rejoinder, and Don Miguel directed his attention to Lieutenant Gordon, whom he seemed to consider more worthy of his notice.
"Down there on the mountain side," the diplomat said, "you promised to further inform me as to the reasons for my being held a prisoner, deprived of freedom of action.