“Only five miles!” pleaded Doran.
“Jump in!” replied the manager.
The two men thanked Mellen effusively, but there was a crafty, scheming look in Doran’s eyes which told plainly enough that he intended to take advantage of the kindness of the manager at the very first opportunity.
Sam saw the evil expression and placed the automatic within easy reach of his hand. Doran saw the movement and snarled out an oath.
“There’s no need for you to make any gun-play!” he scowled.
“When I see a snake,” declared Sam, “I don’t take any chances on being bitten! I know pretty well the kind of a sneak you are.”
“Look here!” exclaimed Doran, appealing to Mellen, “why don’t you take us back to Quito and make complaint against us for stealing the machine? It seems to me that that is the correct thing for you to do!”
Mellen considered this proposition gravely for a moment. He believed now that Doran was in some way mixed up in a conspiracy against the boys. When considered in connection with Mr. Havens’ telegrams to Ben and himself, the actions of the two men seemed significant. In fact, the manager believed that the trouble referred to in Mr. Havens’ messages had already made its appearance, guided by the hand of Doran!
It seemed to him that the man’s plea was entirely reasonable, and yet he understood that the fellows ought to be kept out of Quito as long as possible. Even in jail, held only on a charge of grand larceny, Doran would have little difficulty in securing a lawyer and communicating with such other desperadoes as might be concerned in the conspiracy.
“The savages,” Doran went on, pleadingly, “are scattered all through this country, from the Colombia boundary line to Peru. It would be plain murder to leave us here at this time!”