Captain Garcia was stunned at the extent of the conspiracy.
“Then I owe you and your companions much more than I dreamed,” he cried putting his arm affectionately on O’Neil’s shoulder. “That explains why their two vessels seemed so eager to give us battle. They thought we would prove an easy victim.”
O’Neil nodded.
“But now, Captain Garcia,” he exclaimed earnestly, “you’ve got your chance to repay us.”
“Myself and everything I can command are at your service,” the Spaniard gratefully replied.
“Then here’s my plan,” O’Neil explained hurriedly: “they’ll put Craig in that machine and take him to La Boca; then on board the ‘Mercedes,’ and we can’t stop them. She’ll get away and then we’ll follow her in the ‘Aquadores’ and bring Craig back. Isn’t that easy? Will you do it?”
“Willingly,” the captain exclaimed delightedly. “You are a clever man to have thought of this. Fortunately I have steam up in my vessel and as soon as we get on board we can be under way.”
It seemed hours to the anxious men before Mareno’s machine moved slowly up to the door; its headlight cutting through the darkness illuminating brightly the courtyard in front of the house.
“They are going at last,” whispered O’Neil. “What time is it?”
Captain Garcia took out his watch and glanced at its face.