Part 49 (1/2)
Billings extended the capsule and Slade exae,” he said ”But it's the straight dope”
Hawkins' eyes shone with excitement as he crowded closer to Slade ”What is it, Tom?” he asked
”Heroin,” answered Slade quickly ”A refined product of opiuh When we hit the beach ory to his side, Slade took from his pocket a deputy shi+eld of the United States Custo man's vest
”For your own protection,” he explained Then he added: ”You ory Do only what I tell you Nothing overnment before You knohat it means”
A few moments later the four oose-neck
Under orders Do only what I tell you Nothing ory's mind Slade did not understand Mascola was to the revenue man only one of many A man to be arrested and tried Perhaps acquitted on a mere technicality of law or a perjured alibi Slade did not know the Italian Had dickie Lang not said that Mascola laughed at the courts?
Gregory's jaw set tighter as he descended the trail To-night, orders or no orders, he would bring Mascola to justice by the law of the sea
CHAPTER xxx
THE FIGHT IN THE CAVE
With the sands of the sea-beach gritting beneath their feet, Slade ordered a halt and conferred with the Mexican Then he whispered to Billings: ”This is the isthmus bay where I told the ht Around the next point is the goose-neck The cave Joe speaks of is at the far end of the cove It has two entrances, one from the bluff and one fro to send hi boats down by the water”
Billings disappeared on the instant and a 's OK,” he announced ”Theby for instructions”
”Tell theeys clear of the tide and join me here,”
Slade directed ”Send one boat back to the _Bennington_ and have the skipper oose-neck in tenthat's at anchor in the cove”
Billings returned in a few minutes accorouped themselves about their chief and waited for instructions
Gregory crowded closer and listened while Slade gave the men their orders The deputies were to be divided A few of the best trained raphy, were to scout on in advance, entering the cave fro the beach, surround the main entrance and cut off escape to the water All were to challenge once Then shoot to kill
Slade selected his ory he said: ”Stay with the ue Slade was throwing hi Mascola at the main entrance to the cave? The leader of the advance was already ory found Hawkins and the two ether Hawkins returned alone When the advance party had left Slade checked up the men who remained
”I'ory? I told him to stay here”
Hawkins shook his head blankly when questioned concerning the sudden disappearance of his friend Gregory ht have misunderstood It was not like him to disobey orders In any case Slade need not worry His ex-captain was used to scouting and had receivedthe eneone with them, Hawkins stoutly maintained Then he lied earnestly: ”He knows that cave like a book”
Joining the men detailed to enter the cave in advance, when they reached the top of the bluff, Gregory reported to the officer in charge
”Mr Slade sent onia in ht,” he muttered after a moment ”Slade's the boss Take off that slicker It'll catch on the brush Follow after the others and stay close Don't do anything until I tell you”
His manner was curt and plainly showed that he was not pleased with the latest addition to the party But Kenneth Gregory cared little for that