"You may get another worse," said Kit, as coolly as he could. "What happened to the president?"
Somebody shouted "Mozo" and when the waiter went away Kit rested his arms on the table. He was very tired, and it was obvious that he had come too late. Since the president was overthrown, he had lost a large sum of money and wasted the efforts he had made to carry out Adam's engagements. He must get back to the lagoon as soon as possible, but he needed food and wanted to find out if Alvarez had escaped. There was, however, some risk in asking questions, because the café seemed to be occupied by triumphant rebels.
Presently the men at the next table got up and their place was taken by another group, among which Kit noted Francisca Sarmiento and her relations. He thought they looked surprised, but they saluted him politely, and soon afterwards the girl, who was nearest, looked round.
"You have courage, señor," she remarked in a meaning tone.
"I do not know if courage is needed," Kit replied, forcing a smile. "It looks as if I could no longer meddle with politics."
"Then, since you could not help Alvarez, why did you come?"
"I imagined I could help him, until I saw the presidio was burnt," Kit replied. "In fact, I haven't found out what has happened yet."
The girl studied him with some curiosity, but Kit felt that he had nothing to fear from her.
"If one did not know that you were incorruptible, one could understand your rashness," she said, in a mocking tone. "I suppose your steamer is in the lagoon?"
Kit looked round. The café was crowded, but the people were talking excitedly, and nobody seemed to notice him and the girl. The noise would prevent their talk being heard.