"This third man is a diplomat, is he?" he finally asked. "Does
that mean that he is in the diplomatic service of some government,
and that he is acting here in that capacity?"
"Something like that," was the reply, "though it might be difficult
to get any government to father the mission he is really on. He
claims, I understand, to be acting for a junta. At least, he has
not brought any government into the affair so far, that I know of."
"Well, what does he want?"
"His benevolent purpose is to bring on a war between Mexico and
the United States," was the astonishing reply.
"I don't think he's next to his job as a statesman, then," observed
Frank, "unless he wants to see Mexico cleaned out."
"However that may be, he believes that a raid on Texas soil from
this side of the river would provoke our government to an invasion,
as it probably would."
"I should hope so."
"And he believes, too, that in such an emergency the Mexican federals
and insurrectos would join hands in fighting the common enemy."
"That is quite likely. He's got that figured out in good form,"
laughed Frank. "I guess he isn't such a dub, after all."
"He is probably right in the supposition that such a war would
stop the fighting over here--that is, the fighting as it is now
going on. He seeks peace in his own land at the risk of a war
with our country."
"Then he ought to be shot," declared the boy.
"He was negotiating with Mr. Cameron for the purchase of firearms
and ammunition," Nestor went on.
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