But his respect for Miss Evans's energy and
initiative deepened when, on arriving at 56 New Street, he
discovered that she had forestalled him and was even then closeted
with the man he had come to see. Johnnie waited uneasily; he was
dismayed when the girl finally appeared, with Enriquez in tow, for
the man's face was radiant.
"It's all settled," she announced, at sight of O'Reilly. "I've
speeded them up."
"You're an early riser," the latter remarked. "I hardly expected--
"
Enriquez broke in. "Such enthusiasm! Such ardor! She whirls a
person off his feet."
"It seems that the Junta lacks money for another expedition, so
I've made up the deficit. We'll be off in a week."
"Really? Then you're actually--going?"
"Of course."
"It was like a gift from Heaven," Enriquez cried. "Our last
embarrassment is removed, and--"
But Johnnie interrupted him. "You're crazy, both of you," he
declared, irritably. "Cuba is no place for an American girl. I'm
not thinking so much about the danger of capture on the way down
as the hardship after she gets there and the fact that she will be
thrown among all sorts of men."
The elder man lifted his head. "Every Cuban will know who Miss
Evans is, and what she has done for our cause. You do not seem to
have a high regard for our chivalry, sir."
"There!" Norine was triumphant.
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