The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz

by Frank Fowler

  CHAPTER XXIX.

  THE MYSTERY DEEPENS.

  While Billie was making his discoveries Donald and Adrian hadalso been busy.

  When they left the house, at Donald's suggestion, they went firstto the bank and told Don Esteban about the disappearance of thebox and what the maid had seen. He was much disappointed until itwas explained to him that they also had another clue.

  "We shall spend our time in the slums," said Donald, "while ourchum keeps watch at the house. We feel sure that between us weshall solve the mystery."

  "I hope so," was Don Esteban's response. "Do you think I might beable to see this man Santiago?"

  "I'm afraid not, sir! The doctor wants him to sleep as long ashe can. We will let you know later in the day."

  Leaving Don Esteban, the boys started for the plaza, intending toplay the part of sightseers and visit every place in which amountebank might reasonably expect to go. They felt certain thatStrong would keep away from the more aristocratic places.

  Keeping their eyes open and ever on the alert, they wanderedabout the streets and into many public places, but up to eleveno'clock had made no discovery. Then they entered a cantina forbreakfast, purposely choosing one that was little frequented byAmericans.

  Seating themselves at a table in one corner where they could seewithout being seen, the boys ordered a hearty breakfast and thenturned their attention to the others in the place.

  At the table nearest them were three men of ordinary appearance,busy with their meal. Beyond them was an American soldier, whoseemed to have dropped in out of curiosity. He was paying verylittle attention to his meal, but was eyeing a young woman whowas seated behind the cash counter.

  On the other side of the room, and partially hidden from our boysby the cash counter, was another man, smoking, and evidentlywaiting for some one. He kept his eye on the door and every oncein a while glanced nervously at his watch.

  "Not much going on in here," said Donald in English.

  "No; but we are a little early. There may be more in before wefinish our breakfast."

  It was a true prediction, for within the next five minutes asmany more persons entered and disposed themselves around thevarious tables. Then the boys' breakfast was served and for a fewminutes they were more absorbed in the food than in the guests.

  As Donald raised his eyes for a moment, however, he caught sightof a man talking to the one sitting back of the cash counter.They were evidently arguing about something in an undertone and aminute later the newcomer took a seat with his back to the boys.

  "Look!" was Donald's smothered exclamation, "over there by thecashier. Isn't that our man?"

  Adrian raised his eyes and gazed hard at the back of the man'shead.

  "I could tell better if he would remove his hat. It does looklike him, but he has disguised himself some way."

  "Sure," laughed Donald. "That's part of his trade; but I'm deadsure it is Strong."

  "What had we better do?"

  "I don't know. He'll recognize us the minute he sees us. If he iskeeping away from us, he will leave. If he is not, he may comeover and speak to us. There is no reason why he should not, sofar as he knows."

  "How would it do to make ourselves visible?"

  "I hardly know." Then after a pause: "I'll tell you what. As soonas we finish we'll go out, as though we did not see him, but wewill be sure to make enough commotion to attract his attention.Then we'll station ourselves where we can see him as he comesout."

  "That's all right, Don; but suppose he doesn't come out?"

  Donald scratched his head.

  "Oh!" he exclaimed, "I knew I had a thought back of that. When hesees us, if he is not trying to avoid us, he will speak to us. Ifhe does not speak to us, we will know there is something wrongand take immediate steps to have him arrested."

  "But he may escape."

  "How can he?"

  "I suppose he could go out through the kitchen if he had to," wasthe ready reply.

  "Yes, I suppose he could. We must do better than that."

  "I'll tell you," said Adrian. "I'll go over and speak to thatsoldier in English. If it is Strong, he will hear me and willinvoluntarily make some move. If he wants to make himself known,he will. If he does not do so, we will simply sit here till hegoes out and then shadow him."

  "That sounds good. Go over and say 'Howdy' to the soldier."

  Adrian arose from his seat and stepped over to the soldier.

  "Hello, partner!" was his somewhat noisy greeting. "Won't youcome over to our table?"

  "Why, sure, neighbor! I was just thinking that I was gettingmighty lonesome."

  He arose from his chair and took a seat beside Donald, who hadbeen observing Strong closely. There could be no doubt that hehad been attracted by Adrian's voice, but he gave no intimationthat he knew the boys.

  "Glad to see you," said Donald, without taking his eyes from hisman. "Won't you have another cup of coffee?"

  "Bet your life, neighbor!" Then as he lighted a fresh cigarette:"Smoke?"

  "Never learned!" laughed Donald. "Seems mighty funny down here,doesn't it?"

  "Sure does; but you're just as well off without it. Live here?"

  "No," replied Adrian; "we were on our way home and got stuck!"

  "What's the matter?" asked the soldier, with much concern. "Outof coin?"

  "We haven't much; but Gen. Funston has promised to find uspassage home in a few days. Our friend saw him early thismorning," this latter remark expressly for Strong's ears.

  "If he told you he'd do it, he will," said the soldier. "You canbet on him every time."

  It was very evident from Strong's actions that he was taking inevery word of the conversation, which was in English and in anunusually loud voice. He pretended to eat, then leaned over andsaid something to his companion, and a minute later arose fromthe table and hastily quitted the place.

  But the boys were not to be fooled. They sprang from the tableand hastily followed, Donald throwing a greenback to the cashierwhich more than doubly paid the bill.

  Their sudden action did not escape the soldier, who, attributingit to another cause, also hastily quitted the cantina.

  As the boys emerged into the street, they saw Strong hasteningaway in the direction of the custom house.

  "Going to lose himself in the crowd," said Donald. "Don't let himget out of your sight."

  "What's the matter?" asked the soldier, running to catch up withthe boys. "Ugly greasers?"

  "No," replied Donald, "we're shadowing a man who is wanted byGen. Funston. That's him," pointing; "keep your eye on him."

  "I thought you chaps had something on," laughed the soldier. "Youcan bet on me!"

  Now that they approached nearer the center of the businessportion of the city, there were more people on the street; butthey were so near their quarry that they easily kept him insight. Only once had he glanced back, but that was enough toconvince him that he was followed.

  "He's headed for somewhere," said Adrian. "He doesn't expect toget away from us simply by walking."

  "Right," agreed Donald. "There he goes into the post office."

  "Yes," from Adrian, "and it has two doors. You stop at the firstone and I'll run to the other."

  He started on a run and the soldier followed suit.

  The sight of a man running and a soldier following, quicklyattracted attention and pedestrians began to stop and see whatthe matter might be. In less than a minute a crowd had collected,among them several soldiers, who quickly brought Adrian to ahalt.

  "What's the matter?" asked one. Then as the soldier came up:"What are you chasing him for?"

  "I'm not chasing him," laughed the seeming pursuer. "He and I areafter another chap."

  The delay occasioned by this interference was not great, but itwas sufficient to allow Strong to escape, had it not been forDonald. He had seen the crowd gathering and, realizing what wouldhappen, ran around the other way, just in time to see Strongdisappearing around the corner of the street on which t
he bankwas located.

  Madly he dashed down the street and turned the corner in time tosee Strong enter the big gate leading into the patio of DonEsteban's residence.

  Putting on more steam, a couple of minutes later Donald alsodashed into the patio; but Strong was nowhere to be seen.

  "He must be in the bank," muttered the boy, and he quicklyentered the door.

  But Strong had disappeared as completely as though the earth hadopened and swallowed him up.