“If it was a better way than mine,” Hawley stipulated guardedly. “I’d have to be convinced of that, of course.”
The physician flashed a glance of interrogation at the señora, who answered him with a nod. “We have put ourselves so much in your confidence already, Mr. Hawley,” he said quietly, “that we might as well go a little further. I know that we can trust you.” He glanced nervously toward the shaded window, and lowered his voice to a whisper. “We have important tidings,” he announced. “General Rodriguez made his escape to-day from the arsenal, and is now at liberty. You realize what that means?”
The Camera Chap smiled faintly. “Another revolution, I suppose?”
“Yes,” said the old man fervently. “And this time one that will not fail. So you see, sir, there is a much more practical plan than the one you are now abandoning.”
CHAPTER XVII.
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
A knock on the door of the room interrupted the conversation at this point, and startled Doctor Bonsal and his guests. It was only the old black servant who had admitted Hawley to the house. He handed his employer an envelope. “Your pardon for interrupting, master,” he whispered, “but it is from the hospital and you said it should be brought to you at once.”
“Quite right, Pedro,” the physician responded eagerly tearing open the envelope. As he read its contents he uttered a joyous exclamation.
“Here is good news,” he said, turning to the señora. “This is from my good friend Doctor Picard. He tells me that an operation has just been performed on General Replife, and the bullet removed. It had lodged in the chest, narrowly missing the heart. Doctor Picard says that the minister of war’s condition is still very grave, but there is no immediate cause for alarm. It will be several weeks before he will be out of danger, but he has a fighting chance of pulling through.”
“Thank God,” the woman murmured fervently. “There is hope now—unless that which we dread has already happened,” she added, with a shudder.
“Of course it hasn’t!” declared Doctor Bonsal reassuringly. “You can depend upon it that Portiforo wouldn’t dare take extreme measures until he was quite sure that Replife wasn’t going to get well and call him to account. He will await the result of the minister of war’s injuries. And, in the meantime, our dearest hopes may be realized. Doctor Picard tells us that even though Replife’s injuries prove fatal, he may linger for several weeks—and within that time much may happen,” he added significantly.