Boone strained and pushed against the crowd until he reached the spot. The cadaver was in tight charro garb of raw leather. His sombrero lay near, on which was worked a Roman sword, meaning “Woe to the conquered!” Boone turned inquiringly to the officer. The man, who was pallid, touched his thumb to his cap, recognizing the uniform of the Grays.
“You should know him, mi coronel,” he explained. “His name was Tiburcio. He deserted from the Imperialistas at Querétaro, but afterward he joined the plot for Maximilian’s escape. We had his description, and I found him. He wanted to take me to Marquez and Fischer, whom we would also like to find. He said that he risked himself here, to spy on them, and that he knew where they had fled, the Leopard disguised in the padre’s cloak. But of course I paid no attention. I did not delay even to tie his hands. As Your Mercy observes, I had the honor to do my duty, at once.”
“I see,” replied Boone dryly. “Lawd, this is a jolt!”
Then he got himself away from there.
“A jolt,” he muttered to himself again. “But shucks, it can’t–Yes, it can,” he decided fervently, “it can be used. We’ve got to have something terrifying, and poor cock-eyed Don Tibby won’t care. He’d appreciate it. And anyhow, I don’t seem to be able to stir up inspirations to-day, and this is the only thing.”
He was as pallid as the shooting squad he had just left.
“No matter,” he reflected, “I’ll need just this ghastly state of mind. But here, goodness gracious, I’ve got to be in a sweat,” with which he began to run, a lank knight in gray dented armor.
“Worse luck,” his thought pounded along with him, “this here’s the first time I’ve ever faked. And it’s a heap the hottest 513story I’ve ever handled, too. Our little Parisienne will get a frisson all right, all right, and such a one she’ll not be wanting any of again very soon. Dixie Land, I mustn’t smoke, I’m to be too excited.”
He came into the Zócalo, and drew up before Driscoll, who was still there and still ruminating.
“Listen here,” Boone panted, “here’s your cue.–In ten minutes–to the second–arrive–knock at her door–appear!”