“Certainly not.  I sha’n’t even try,” Norine told him.  “I’m fairly bursting with curiosity at this moment.”

“Remember, Ramos, not a word.”

“I promise,” smiled the major.

“Good-by and good luck.”  Enriquez shook hands all around; then he bowed and kissed Miss Evans’s fingers.  “I shall pray that you escape all danger, senorita, and I shall see that Cuba remembers her debt to you.”

When he had gone the three Americans followed their new guide through the iron gates.

Major Ramos proved that he knew how to obey orders even though the other members of his party did not.  He remained utterly deaf to Miss Evans’s entreaties that he let her know something about the plans of the expedition; he would not even tell her where he was taking her, where the other filibusters had assembled, or from what port their ship would sail.  He did go so far, however, as to explain that an inkling of the Junta’s plans had leaked out, and that determined efforts to upset them were being made, efforts which necessitated the greatest care on his part.  This, of course, whetted the girl’s curiosity; but to her most artful queries he opposed a baffling silence.  When Philadelphia, Washington, then Baltimore, and finally Richmond were left behind, Miss Evans was, in truth, ready to explode, and her two companions were in a similar frame of mind.

Major Ramos was not naturally a silent man; he had all the loquacity of the Latin, and all the Latin’s appreciation of a pretty woman; he made no secret of the fact that his orders irked him.  Despite his official reserve he proved himself a pleasant traveling-companion, and he talked freely on all but one subject.  He played a good game of cards, too, and he devoted himself with admirable courtesy to Norine’s comfort.  It was not until the train was approaching Charleston that he finally announced: 

“Now then, my first command.  This is the end of our journey; the other members of the expedition are here.  But I must ask you not to talk with them or with any strangers, for our friends are being watched by detectives in the employ of the Spanish minister at Washington and by United States deputy-marshals.  One little indiscretion might ruin everything.”

“Spies!  Oh, goody!” cried Miss Evans.

“The local authorities intend to seize any vessel we try to sail on.  We must be careful.”

The hotel to which Major Ramos led his guests appeared to be well filled; there were many Cubans in the lobby, and the air was heavy with the aroma of their strong, black cigarettes.  As the major entered they turned interested and expectant faces toward him and they eyed his companions with frank curiosity.  Miss Evans became the target for more than one warmly admiring glance.