The car was in gear and on its way down the street before the Marques could make his answer heard.
"What was so funny about your crack?" Jerry asked.
"I'll tell you tomorrow. Are we still friends?"
"Stop it, Matt. Just leave me alone tonight."
"Sure," he smiled. "Sleep on it. But please to keep the mouth shut, yes?"
"I'm going to my room, Matt."
"May I phone you in the morning?"
Jerry ran into the hotel without answering. Hall stood in the street for a moment, watching the receding crowds in the Plaza. They started to become a blur in his heavy eyes. He entered the lobby. Souza was going over a bill with two guests. Hall nodded to the night clerk, then went into the small bar of the Bolivar to have a drink while Souza got rid of the strangers.
Only one of the four tables in the bar room was occupied. Androtten and a San Hermano coffee dealer sat at this table, three open copper canisters between them. The Hollander was driving a hard bargain for two types of Monte Azul bean.
"Mr. Hall," he smiled, "delighted to see you healthy again. Delighted as hell."