Diego forced himself to relax as one of the men hoisted him over his shoulder with an effort. The man had big shoulders, and was quite tall, because Diego was surprised that his feet didn't drag.

They entered a wooden building, Diego noted, peering through half opened eyes while they mainly ignored him.

"What if Zorro doesn't show, boss?" One of the men asked, hoarsely. Sunlight flickered between the panels that the building was made from, making dust flecks swirl and eddy in the normally still room.

"Well," MacKay said thoughtfully. Diego was placed on the floor, not too gently, but with an element of care. "That will be a problem."

"A problem, boss?"

"For our friend here," MacKay said, nudging Diego lightly with his boot. "Much as I like the boy, I think I need to prove my intent. Otherwise no one will take me seriously, will they?"

"Sure, boss."

"Go and spread the word. We have to give Zorro a chance to hear about this," MacKay said. There was a scampering sound and MacKay and Diego were alone.

MacKay shoved Diego in the ribs with his boot.

"Wake up, newspaper man," MacKay said firmly. Diego feigned sleepiness and shifted away from the man.

"Cut the act, boy. I knew you were faking the whole time," MacKay said sternly.

"Not sure what you mean," Diego said, with a yawn. "Where...where am I?"

"Doesn't matter, Don Diego," MacKay answered with a frown.

"I think it does. Do you mean to kill me? Have you sent a ransom demand to my father?"

"I've sent my ransom demand."

Diego feigned ignorance to the real meaning behind the words. There had been no demand sent to his father, but MacKay didn't need to know that he had been faking his sleep. It had been a guess, surely, and Diego was well versed in acting to know when someone else was finding refuge in the skill.

"Is my life in danger?"

"You do what you are told, you might get out alive," MacKay said. He was scanning his captive cautiously. Diego doubted his words, but nodded and pretended a bit of relief.

"I am worth more to you alive," Diego said carefully.

"I am going to leave you here," MacKay said after a moment. "Unfortunately I will have to tie you up to prevent an escape attempt."

"I have no idea where I am," Diego said, but allowed the man to tie a rope around his arms. He was careful enough to flex his muscles and make his body larger by taking a deep breath, as rope bound his wrists and ankles, and wrapped around his torso.

"What do you plan to do to me, if your ransom isn't successful?"

MacKay sneered a little, and shrugged.

"I have a line of gunpowder set up, which will burn slowly towards a barrel of gunpowder. If I'm not back within two hours, you will die in the explosion," MacKay said softly.

"My father will pay whatever you ask," Diego said, playing along with his act.

"It is Zorro you need to rely on this time," MacKay said. "He is a man of honour, surely?"

Diego glanced down, genuinely a little daunted for a moment. There was no way he could escape this cabin, retrieve his clothes and make it back to the pueblo within two hours. Just getting to his Zorro clothes in time would be a challenge.

"Come now, why the despair?" MacKay said, with a small chuckle. "The man will show, for your sake."

"Of course he will, but what will happen to him?" Diego said softly. "I know how that will end, with his life cut short."

"He sealed his fate when he chose his behaviour and crimes," MacKay said. "I will be richer, and you will have a story for your newspaper. I will be back when the man is apprehended, and you will be safe."

Diego didn't answer him, and MacKay smiled. "Perhaps you weren't faking that sleep, Diego. Perhaps you are as weak as people say. Just be patient, and wait for me."

If MacKay had been any closer to Diego, he might have had his legs kicked out from under him, but Diego controlled himself enough to turn his head away to stare at the wall. He heard the man's heavy tread cross the room, the door open and close, and knew he was alone.

He'd already started on the ropes binding him, relaxing his body to give the slack he needed to wriggle and flex. He turned his wrists backwards and forwards to loosen the ropes, reminding himself to be patient. It would take some time, but the man had underestimated him and not tied the bonds too tightly. He'd escape long before the explosion.

Zzz

Diego wriggled out of the ropes binding his torso, and then worked on his wrists. The slack he'd created while being tied was useful, but it was harder than he had thought. MacKay was good with his knots, Diego decided, relief flooding his body as the last tie was loosened. His ankles were easy, his fingers quickly untying the knots.

He forced the back door open, surprised that it had been locked. It was old and ricketity so forcing it wasn't an issue, the lock making a small sound as it hit the floor.

He found the line of gun powder easily, and smudged it out with the toe of his boot. He crouched down, following the line with his eyes to a large barrel of explosives. It would take out most of the hillside if it went off, a lot of overkill for just a harmless newspaper man.

Diego stood up and padded silently around to the front of the cabin, ducking around the side of the old house, out of sight, as he saw the man guarding the front door. Diego wondered if he knew enough of the plan to make him worried about potential explosions, or if he was just an expendable member of the gang.

Diego scanned the surrounding environment, taking note of the sun and the other landmarks. After a few moments he knew where he was - not too far from the cave. He could make it there and back in under forty five minutes. Now that the powder was harmless for the moment, he could afford to change into the black clothes. They all thought that Diego was helpless and tied up in the cabin.

Zorro could pretend that he rescued Diego, and the idea that he abandoned a valued member of the Los Angeles community would not be on everyone's mind. Such an idea might encourage more thinking, and then problems could erupt around him. He didn't have time to arrive in the plaza in time to provide the ransom. Some things still remained impossible.

He scrambled up the hill, and ran, following an old track that he knew from childhood. It was a lot more overgrown than he remembered, but he made good time regardless.