On the next afternoon word was quietly passed to get ready, and the filibusters, carrying their scant hand-baggage, began to leave the hotel in groups, followed, of course, by the watchful spies.

As the three Americans prepared for departure Norine whispered:  “Listen!  Everything is all right.  We’re not going aboard the Dauntless at all; she’s here as a blind.”

“Are you sure?” O’Reilly shot her a quick glance.

“Major Ramos himself gave that story to the news-papers; it’s all a part of his plan.  I promised not to tell, but—­I just can’t help myself.  Gee!  I’m having a good time.”

Leslie Branch shook his head mournfully.  “You may enjoy it, but I don’t,” he grumbled.  “We’ll end by being pinched, and that will finish me.  One week in a damp cell, with my lungs—­”

O’Reilly, whose spirits had risen magically, clapped him heartily on the back, crying:  “Congratulations!  You’re feeling better.”

“I never felt worse!” the other complained.

“Nonsense!  That’s the first kick you’ve made since we hit cold weather.  By the time we reach Cuba you’ll be nice and melancholy and your cough will be all gone.”

Ramos led his three charges to the railroad station and into the rear coach of a south-bound train, where the other members of the expedition had already found seats.  As they climbed aboard, a Secret Service agent essayed to follow them, but he was stopped by a brakeman, who said: 

“You can’t ride in here; this is a special car.  Some sort of a picnic party.  They’re ‘wops’ or Greeks or something.”

Other detectives who attempted to invade the privacy of that rear coach after the train had gotten under way were also denied.  Meanwhile, the filibusters cast restraint aside, and for the first time intermingled freely.

Evening came, then night, and still the party was jerked along at the tail of the train without a hint as to its destination.  About midnight those who were not dozing noted that they had stopped at an obscure pine-woods junction, and that when the train got under way once more their own car did not move.  The ruse was now apparent; owing to the lateness of the hour, it was doubtful if any one in the forward coaches was aware that the train was lighter by one car.

There was a brief delay; then a locomotive crept out from a siding, coupled up to the standing car, and drew it off upon another track.  Soon the “excursion party” was being rushed swiftly toward the coast, some twenty miles away.

Major Ramos came down the aisle, laughing, and spoke to his American protege’s.

“Well, what do you think of that, eh?  Imagine the feelings of those good deputy-marshals when they wake up.  I bet they’ll rub their eyes.”

Miss Evans bounced excitedly in her seat; she clapped her hands,

“You must have friends in high places,” O’Reilly grinned, and the Cuban agreed.