CHAPTER X.
CAUGHT ON THE FLY.
The three toughs dragged Marcos across the floor and behind the screen so quickly that he was gone before Miguel had time to rise from his chair.
Obviously his intention was to help the three gangsters, but they did not need him, a fact that he recognized even as they disappeared.
“That’s the end of that, Solado,” remarked Miguel carelessly. “Those fellows will take him to their joint, as they call it, downtown, in New York, and there he will stay till we have completed the treaty in Joyalita——”
“With you as the ruler, under the protection of our allies,” added Solado, grinning. “That sounds good. But, if we are going to save trouble immediately, we ought to use the yacht and get him out to sea for a few weeks.”
“I don’t see that he would be any safer at sea than shut up in some secret den in New York, with these determined-looking gentry we have hired to look after him.”
“He would be safer at sea,” hissed Solado, “because accidents happen at sea. Yachts sometimes get into trouble on the ocean and are never heard of again.”
“You’re a cold-blooded rascal, Solado!”
“Not any more than yourself,” was the retort. “Only, when I undertake anything, I like to make sure that it is done completely. I have some stake in all this as well as yourself, remember.”
“Exactly!” laughed Miguel. “You are still to be at the head of the government—under me, and you want to be sure of your job. Well, I don’t blame you. But, for the present, we’ll let Dugan take care of my dear Cousin Marcos.”