"Never! Never!" exclaimed the Mexican host. "But speaking of the police, I must tell them about this some time to-morrow."
"Any time will do," put in Ned. "We're in no hurry, you know."
"I am glad of that," said the hotel keeper, in all seriousness. "Most _Americanos_ are in such a rush, and I have to go to market to-morrow. The next day will do very well. I thank you, señors. Now I bid you good-night, and pleasant dreams."
"Well, he certainly does take things easy," said Jerry, when the innkeeper and his servants, with many polite bows, had withdrawn. "He don't seem to care much whether we were nearly killed or not. I guess this must be a regular occurrence down here."
"I always heard the Mexican brigands were terrible fellows," said Professor Snodgrass. "Now I am sure of it. I am glad they did not get any of my specimens, however. All my treasures are safe."
"But Ned and I have lost five hundred dollars each," put in Jerry.
"You can get more from the gold mine," went on the professor.
"Yes; but it may spoil our trip," said Ned.
"I have my five hundred dollars," said Bob.
"And I have nearly one thousand in bills," spoke the professor, in a whisper. "We will have enough. The robbers would never suspect me of carrying money. Listen; it is in the box with the big lizard and the bat, and no one will ever look there for it," and he chuckled in silent glee.
"Then I guess we can go on," said Jerry. "But I wonder who it was robbed us?"
"I suppose it was the Mexican brigands that hang about every hotel," said Ned.
"I'm not so sure of that," went on Jerry. "You know Noddy Nixon and his crowd are not far off. It may have been they."
"That's so; I never thought of them," said Ned.
"The fellow who grappled with me had a mask on," said Jerry. "But I thought I recognized that fellow Dalsett. However, I couldn't be sure."
"I didn't get a chance to see my man," Ned added.
"The fellow who came for me had a voice like Bill Berry's," put in Bob. "If I could see his ear I could soon tell."
"It will be a good while before you see his ear," continued Jerry. "I wonder if it was Nixon's crowd, or only ordinary robbers? If we are to be attacked by Noddy and his gang all the way through Mexico the trip will not be very pleasant."