The police did not recognize him and had no idea that he was a man of any importance.
“Does any one know him?” was asked, and some half-dozen of those present pressed forward, looked at him, and shook their heads.
I took advantage of the movement to back away, and as I turned I came face to face with Maral. He had not seen Barosa, and I did not mean that he should. Very much to his surprise, I linked my arm in his and drew him away across the mouth of the street to the corner from which I had kept my watch.
“Come with me or you are lost,” I said in a low voice.
“Who are you?”
“You are Sebastian Maral. The police are there. You must fly or you will be taken.”
“Who are you?”
“A friend if you go, an enemy if you stay. My name does not matter. A secret agent—but you once did me a good turn. I am going to raid the second house over there. I give you a chance to fly; if you stay I must hand you to my comrades.”
“But I——”
I cut him short. “Say which it shall be. Quick. I can’t give you another moment or I shall be seen with you. Are there any men left in that house? We have taken Barosa.”