"You'll need more gasoline perhaps, and other stores," the officer
went on. "And the journey will be much easier made with a good
morning's start."
So it was decided. Supper was served for the young people aboard the
Ramona, by direction of the British officer who was put in charge.
There was rather more room to move about than on the Tartar. After
the meal--the merriest since the strange quest had begun--explanations
were forthcoming.
"I want to know how Inez got those papers away from Ramo," said
Walter, with a flash of admiration at the Spanish girl.
"Ah, Senor, it is no secret!" she laughed. "I said I knew he had
zem, and if he did not gif 'em I would tear zem from his pocket!
"He gave zem to me," she finished, simply.
"Good for you!" cried Jack. "What became of him?"
"I believe he went ashore in a small boat," said the lieutenant.
"I'm having him watched, though, for I think he had some hand in this
smuggling. In fact, he may prove to be at the bottom of the whole
business."
And so it turned out. Senor Ramo, while pretending to be a
respectable Spanish coffee merchant, had been engaged secretly in
smuggling. It was he who planned the mutiny on the Ramona for
purposes of his own, though the storm gave him unexpected aid. He
had joined the steamer later, after having stolen the papers from the
room of Inez.
For it was Ramo who had taken them.
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