The machine ahead was slowing, and O’Neil whispered to their chauffeur to go on by. They passed Mareno and Lazar as they were alighting from the automobile and entering a large house by the roadside.
“Mareno’s country home,” whispered Captain Garcia as their machine whizzed past.
“Then here we’ll find Craig,” replied O’Neil confidently, as he directed the chauffeur to stop their machine.
Out of sight of the overtaken men they left their machine and went back on foot. Reaching the house they saw Mareno’s automobile had drawn up inside the yard and the chauffeur had already made himself comfortable for a nap.
“They are inside,” O’Neil whispered, “and will be there some time, from the looks of that man yonder,” pointing to the reclining figure. “We’ve got to get inside.”
Captain Garcia hesitated.
“This man Mareno is powerful,” he objected. “I dare not force an entrance into his house.”
They had approached the house from the rear. O’Neil pushed a door gently; it yielded and the next moment they found themselves in a small room.
The room was unlighted, but the fire on the hearth illuminated obscurely their surroundings.
A native jumped up from a couch, rubbing his eyes; seeing the officers he doffed his hat respectfully.