“Pardon me, General, you seem disturbed in mind,” remarked the young officer, drawing up a stool and seating himself opposite.
“I am disturbed, Major; nothing in all the world could have happened to cause me greater regret.”
“You refer to the affair of last night; I cannot see that you have any concern with that.”
“Captain Guzman was involved with you.”
“If you are so afraid of offending General Yozarro, you can easily disavow the act of your officer, though he deserves all praise for what he did.”
“Be assured that I shall disavow his crime in the strongest terms, and, if General Yozarro demands it, the Captain shall be severely punished.”
“The other day, when you were talking with him and me, you were hot for war against Atlamalco.”
“True, but since then I have received a great light.”
The amazed American waited to catch a ray himself, but it came not and he said:
“I delivered your message to General Yozarro yesterday.”