Mendetta saw that Holtz knew he had cheated, and he went white with shame.
Holtz said: “The General may wish to see you as well. Let us see him together.”
Cortez was waiting for them impatiently. “Well?” he snapped.
Holtz saluted stiffly. “I am ready to take your orders, Your Excellency,” he said.
Cortez nodded. He was pleased. Holtz was young. He had a stronger nerve than Mendetta, and, what was more important, he was proud. He would not fall back.
Cortez looked across at Mendetta. “Make immediate preparations for the withdrawal. Do not forget, the gun goes first. Have everything ready to leave within the hour. You have no time to lose.”
Mendetta saluted and stepped to the door. He looked back at Holtz, then said, “My best wishes, Lieutenant. May we meet again.”
Holtz bowed. “Remember me to your wife, Mendetta, remember me to your children,” he said. “You fortunate man.”
Mendetta went out of the room and shut the door behind him.
The General looked at Holtz searchingly. “I did not know he had any children,” he said, pulling a map towards him.