“It was a trick,” he explained. “Barely had I entered the dive than I was seized from behind, gagged and then taken in my friend’s car to the house in Calle Libertad.”
“And Ramirez?” questioned Mr. Hampton.
“At the house he met me. Our conversation I shall not repeat. It would only bore you. But, Senor Hampton, my good friend, I must tell you I was mistaken. This devil Ramirez, he think he have me in his power and can tell me all. Ah, he does not realize I have good friends who will come to my rescue. What do you think, Senor? He says he does not make the revolution; there is no money in that. Instead, he organized a—what shall I call it?—system of men for smuggling Orientals out of Mexico into the Estados Unidos.”
“An underground railway?” suggested Captain Cornell.
Don Ferdinand nodded.
“I was surprise’—me. He think, this devil Ramirez, it is I, Don Ferdinand, who want a share in this traffic which is so profitable. He think it is because of that desire for money that I pursue him. So now he capture me.”
Don Ferdinand’s listeners betrayed the keenest interest. Captain Cornell was especially eager for details. His suspicions regarding Ramirez and the latter’s projects were fulfilled. He wanted to know all. Questions poured upon Don Ferdinand in a flood, completely overwhelming him. At length he waved his hands impatiently.
“Senors, have a patience. There is little more to tell. This devil, Ramirez, he reveal that he take my man from the mine because he need men for his—what you call?—oh, yes, his underground railway. When he send them across Rio Grande, it is that they go to Carana and prepare. From Carana, these Orientals shall be sent to San Antonio and then distributed through Estados Unidos.”
“But didn’t he have other men?” asked Mr. Hampton. “Why should he go west to your mine, and take your men? Why should he take my cook Ramon?”
“About thees Ramon, I do not know. But Ramirez, he take my men because he know I shall pursue. Me, he have a grudge against this long time.”