“There will be no answer. You will just have time to leave the note and get back to your hotel before the streets are cleared.”
While she wrote the note, Hi thought of a suggestion.
“I say,” he said. “Quite apart from calling Don Manuel here, there is some point in letting him know the news and telling him not to come. Couldn’t you let me do that for you?”
“You’re very determined, Hi,” she said. “But you must stay in Santa Barbara and keep out of our politics.”
“But why? You will have to send someone.”
“I will not send you, Hi.”
“Why not? Have you anybody better?”
“There could not be anybody better, nor as good; but this is not a thing I could let you attempt. Do you know, that if the Reds were to find you doing this you might be expelled the country, or even shot.”
“For taking a message?”
“That counts as spying in time of war.”