“Here is certainly news!” cried Jack. “Hurrah! They’re getting on the track of those rascals at last!”
In the message Sam Rover told of Josiah Crabtree’s revelations and of how the Browns and Martells and the others were being followed. Then came an announcement that was even more interesting to the lads.
“Antonio Ditini lived originally at Mendelopaz on the outskirts of Merida in Yucatan. Possibly he went home. Can you investigate?”
“This is certainly remarkable!” cried Jack. “Merida is not many miles from here, and for all we know this Lefty Ditini may be there right now!”
“And don’t forget that there is a big reward for his capture!” burst out Randy. “Gosh, I wish we could get hold of him!”
“If Ditini is in Yucatan we’ll have to get some official to place him under arrest for us,” said Fred.
“Yes, and we’ll have to use some native for an interpreter,” declared Jack. “I can’t speak a dozen words of their language.” All of the boys had seen pictures of Ditini and Ronombo in the Rogues’ Gallery at New York City.
As Captain Corning was still away trying to hunt up another deep-sea diver, the boys consulted Mr. Brooks, who fortunately had been in Yucatan before and who could speak a little Mexican. As a result of this, they were introduced a little later to a Yucatan official who could speak fairly good English and who immediately became interested in the story they had to tell.
“I have an automobile handy,” said the official, “and we can ride over in that. I think I’ll have no trouble in locating the place where Antonio Ditini lives. Many folks must know this man who has become such a notorious bandit.”
A little later the four boys and Captain Astora were on the way. The ride was anything but a comfortable one, but to this none of the lads paid any attention.