Martinez’ yellow skin was almost white.
“But, gentlemen, what does this all mean?” he began, endeavoring to pull back.
“You’ll learn soon enough.”
“Step right along,” Vorse added. “Take him away, Burkhardt, then I’ll blow out this light.”
With no further word Martinez accompanied his captors into the gloom of the night. They moved in silence through the dark space behind the row of store buildings. The lawyer felt that at least the way was clear for Janet Hosmer.
CHAPTER XV
THE MASK DROPPED
When Janet Hosmer, startled by Felipe Martinez’ agitated appeal, turned from the telephone, her single thought was to carry out on the instant his fervid injunction. Something aimed at the engineer and the lawyer was in movement, a plot for the former’s arrest and the destruction of evidence necessary to his defense, according to Martinez’ quick hurried words; and the Mexican now sought her aid, as she was the only one within reach whom he could trust. That he must call to her showed the desperate nature of the exigency––and he had said lives were at stake!