Nevertheless, more dangers threatened these two Americans.
Then Consul General Lee’s call had come for Americans to leave Cuba. Mr. Richardson had gone the day before. Hal had lingered long enough to collect two thousand dollars due his employer. This accomplished, he had traveled hastily to Havana, meaning to leave there on the historic ninth of April. We have seen how he had reached there too late.
The money that Vasquez claimed as his due was the balance of an exorbitant bill. He had already been paid far more than he was entitled to.
But he had hoped to overtake and intimidate the American boy.
The carriage drew up before the hotel door, which appeared deserted as, indeed, it was, for with money and food both scarce in Havana, the hotels stand but a poor show of patronage.
“Your three fares, peon,” said Hal, dropping a few coins in the driver’s hand.
“Four pesetas more,” insisted the driver.
Hal paid it, without protest, and disappeared inside. He was quickly shown to a room, and requested that his trunk be sent up.
“Although I ordered that sent here from the interior,” he smiled, as he bent over the box, “I expected to leave it behind.”
Unlocking the lid, he examined the articles in the trunk for some moments, until a warning “Ss-sst!” reached his ear.