A refined product of opium. Never saw
it put up like this before though. When we hit the beach maybe we'll
learn the idea."

Beckoning Gregory to his side, Slade took from his pocket a deputy
shield of the United States Customs and pinned it on the young man's
vest.

"For your own protection," he explained. Then he added: "You must act
entirely under my orders from now on, Mr. Gregory. Do only what I tell
you. Nothing more. You have been in the service of the government
before. You know what it means."

A few moments later the four men followed the Mexican down the trail
leading to the goose-neck.

Under orders. Do only what I tell you. Nothing more. The words echoed in
Gregory'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 men to land. I know
where I am now all right. 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 from the beach. Jack Smith's been in it. I'm
going to send him ahead. Take a look for the landing boats down by the
water."

Billings disappeared on the instant and a moment later rejoined his
chief.

"Everything's O.K.," he announced. "The men have landed and are standing
by for instructions."

"Tell them to carry the dingeys clear of the tide and join me here,"
Slade directed. "Send one boat back to the _Bennington_ and have the
skipper move her around to the goose-neck in ten minutes. Tell him to
nail anything that's at anchor in the cove."

Billings returned in a few minutes accompanied by the men from the
revenue cutter. Silently they grouped 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 men,
familiar with the local topography, were to scout on in advance,