“To tell him that the Reds have put Señorita de Leyva into prison.”
This was news to the assembly, but on the whole pleasant news: the de Leyvas were blamed for most of the troubles which had fallen on the Whites.
“At least,” Don Pablo said, “you cannot reach Don Manuel from here.”
“I don’t want to,” Hi said. “I want to reach Anselmo from here, and from there go on to Don Manuel.”
“Very pretty,” Don Pablo said. “There are telegraphs in Anselmo. You could warn Santa Barbara of all that has been said here.”
“No, sir,” Hi said, “unfortunately, I know no Spanish, and have not understood what has been said here: besides, I am not a spy.”
“You are the first to mention the word,” Don Pablo answered. “You are here, we are here, the trouble exists, the telegraph exists, Santa Barbara exists. I consider the situation.”
“Yes, sir,” Hi said, “but I have been only four nights in this land, I know nothing of your politics.”
“How comes it then,” Don Pablo interrupted, “that you go at all upon this errand? Why are you sent? Who sent you?”
“I must not tell you that, sir,” Hi answered, “but I was sent because the need was great, and because an Englishman will not be suspected by the Reds.”