"I saw his Cholo messenger ride away with it to San Juan, señor, and a friend reported to me that the Cholo took it to the Prefect's house. As you know, the Prefect came to San Rosario two days after, and visited the gobernador. He then rode here. Señor Pardo held his stirrup while he dismounted. He returned to San Juan, but left some of his gendarmes behind. Then came the matter of last night. To-day Señor Pardo is not to be seen."
"What are you driving at?" asked Mr. O'Hagan irritably.
"Have patience, señor. I have been ten years in your service, and you have no complaint against me?"
"That is true, but I don't like this air of mystery and suspicion. Say plainly what you have in your mind."
"I have just seen Señor Pardo's coat--the one he was wearing yesterday: there were several little black holes in the back. I think if you send your doctor to him, you will find that he suffers not from lumbago but from shot wounds."
Mr. O'Hagan stared in amazement.
"You suggest that he was among those villains who tried to break in last night?" he asked.
"I do, señor."
"And that the Prefect was concerned in it?"
"The Prefect's gendarmes, señor. As for the Prefect himself!..."