Charleston awoke with a start, and the Cuban patriots who found
themselves the object of this sudden interest buzzed like flies.
They muttered and whispered more mysteriously than ever, and
consumed even greater quantities of tobacco. The detectives became
painfully alert.
To O'Reilly and his two companions it seemed that the expedition
had already failed. Through some blunder its plans had evidently
become known, and all was ruined. That was the worst of these
Cubans; they couldn't keep a secret. Branch stalked the hotel
lobby like a restless wraith. O'Reilly was furious. Of the entire
party Ramos alone maintained an unruffled pleasantry; he spent the
evening in Miss Evans's company, quite oblivious to the general
feeling of dismay.
On the next afternoon word was quietly passed to get ready, and
the filibusters, carrying their scant hand-baggage, began to leave
the hotel in groups, followed, of course, by the watchful spies.
As the three Americans prepared for departure Norine whispered:
"Listen! Everything is all right. We're not going aboard the
Dauntless at all; she's here as a blind."
"Are you sure?" O'Reilly shot her a quick glance.
"Major Ramos himself gave that story to the news-papers; it's all
a part of his plan. I promised not to tell, but--I just can't help
myself. Gee! I'm having a good time.
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