This consumed two or three hours. The postmaster was seen, and then some of the other Texans. The railroad did not touch Agua Dulce, but there were two big trucking concerns that handled freight from the nearest railroad point. There were also several Mexican teamsters in the place; these latter could hardly be depended upon to give accurate information. The American teamsters all declared that they had handled no suspicious-looking freight for Mexicans. "But you'll find a lot of long, shallow boxes stored in Pedro Guarez's stable, if what I've heard is right," added one of the truckmen. "Look like rifle cases, do they?" inquired Captain Foster. "That's what I judge from what I've heard. Mexican teamsters have been bringing in the cases for the last three nights." "Where is the barn of this fellow, Guarez?" "Come upstairs, Captain, and I can point it out to you from the roof. But don't let any of the Greasers know that I told you about this, for I have to be on the road many a dark night, and these Greasers are a bad lot, especially just now. And listen, Captain! Don't get so far into Guarez's barn that you couldn't get out handily. If you do you may never come out. The Greasers are especially ugly these last few days, and I don't believe it would take much to start 'em off." CHAPTER XI LIEUTENANT HAL'S SWORD GUARDS THE DOOR Having learned the location of the barn, which was about a third of a mile away, Captain Foster signed to Lieutenant Hal to accompany him. "I shall leave you outside of the barn when I go in, Mr. Overton. You may have a crowd around you in no time, for these Mexicans are easily excited. Be careful to handle them smoothly, and not to start any unnecessary trouble. At the same time, keep your eyes and ears wide open for any news that you may hear. Do you understand Spanish?" "I know a little of the kind that I learned in the Philippines," Hal answered. "You may be able to understand the Mexican patter, then. But don't let them know that you understand it." A brisk walk brought the two Army officers to one of the most substantial houses in the Mexican quarter. It was a two-story frame house, kept in a fairly tidy condition. Behind the house was a wooden barn, still larger. Captain Foster did not trouble himself to approach the house, around which there were no signs of life. Instead he walked hurriedly through the yard. Just as the two officers neared the barn the door was seen to slide on its roller. "Keep them from closing that door, Overton!" cried Captain Foster. Hal bounded forward, thrusting his right foot in the crack just in time to prevent the door closing. "I'll help you push that door open again," cried the captain. Between them they succeeded, driving the door back, wide open, revealing two scowling young Mexican hostlers. "You g'way!" snarled one of them in a surly tone. "Where's your master, Pedro Guarez?" demanded Captain Foster. "Dunno. He far away. G'way. I wanta close this door."