“If it had not been for you and your companions,” continued Captain Garcia after a pause, “we could not have won. My crew, as you know, were green men and were almost mutinous. My officers were half-hearted and my executive officer I feel sure was in the pay of the enemy. He resisted my authority from the day we left the United States and when we sailed from La Boca for Rio Grande, I found a means of leaving him behind.” While Captain Garcia was speaking two men came hurriedly out of the house and got into the waiting machine. “That’s Señor Mareno now,” exclaimed Captain Garcia. “I know him well. He owns most of the steamship lines, and can help us by ordering his agents to watch for this man when he buys his ticket. I shall speak to him at once,” and he drew away from O’Neil and stepped quickly to the side of the machine. “Good-evening, Señor Mareno,” he said saluting him in military fashion. “May I detain you but a moment?” Mareno turned a startled face toward the naval officer. “What do you want?” he questioned impatiently. O’Neil saw at a glance that the meeting was inopportune for the merchant. The sailor edged nearer, his curiosity aroused. An electric street lamp above them threw their faces in shadow; but there was something familiar in the figure sitting beside Mareno in the automobile. “Mr. Lazar,” he gasped beneath his breath; he reached out and took Captain Garcia by the arm, almost roughly, and wheeled him about. The next second the automobile had gone. Captain Garcia turned on O’Neil, a world of surprise in his face. “Why did you do that?” he exclaimed. “He surely could have helped us.” The sailor looked about him hurriedly. So Lazar and Mareno were hiding Craig. If they would find him they must follow the automobile; but how? “The man with him was Ensign Lazar,” O’Neil explained to the amazed captain. “If he recognizes me the game is up. How can we follow them?” Captain Garcia was still more amazed at hearing this startling news. Why was Señor Mareno with Mr. Lazar? What part had Señor Mareno in the plot to convict his young friend, Midshipman Perry? And was he a friend of the man who had sold the machine guns back to the rebels? “Come,” he cried much aroused, “there’s an automobile standing on the next corner, but I fear we can’t catch them; Señor Mareno’s machine is the fastest in the city.” As luck would have it they found a waiting machine, and jumping in Captain Garcia hurriedly gave the order. “Mariel road, quick,” he cried to the chauffeur. In a minute they were speeding through the streets and out on the lonely road to Mariel. The quarry was not in sight; had they turned off on one of the many cross streets? This was surely the direction they had taken. They sped along, O’Neil pressing money into the hands of the chauffeur to open wider his throttle. “There they are,” O’Neil whispered triumphantly as a dark object came in sight ahead. The pursuers were gaining slowly.