He did go so far, however, as to
explain that an inkling of the Junta's plans had leaked out, and
that determined efforts to upset them were being made, efforts
which necessitated the greatest care on his part. This, of course,
whetted the girl's curiosity; but to her most artful queries he
opposed a baffling silence. When Philadelphia, Washington, then
Baltimore, and finally Richmond were left behind, Miss Evans was,
in truth, ready to explode, and her two companions were in a
similar frame of mind.
Major Ramos was not naturally a silent man; he had all the
loquacity of the Latin, and all the Latin's appreciation of a
pretty woman; he made no secret of the fact that his orders irked
him. Despite his official reserve he proved himself a pleasant
traveling-companion, and he talked freely on all but one subject.
He played a good game of cards, too, and he devoted himself with
admirable courtesy to Norine's comfort. It was not until the train
was approaching Charleston that he finally announced:
"Now then, my first command. This is the end of our journey; the
other members of the expedition are here. But I must ask you not
to talk with them or with any strangers, for our friends are being
watched by detectives in the employ of the Spanish minister at
Washington and by United States deputy-marshals.
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