“Market people can always pass in the early mornings. I brought in a basket of flowers like a gardener’s peon. You remember Manuel said at lunch that there was a way into this hotel at the back. I came in by that. I knew your floor and room. But I nearly died of terror when I heard the negroes at their gambling.”
“I don’t wonder. But I say you have got some pluck.”
“Oh, Hi, forgive me,” she said, “but you’re the only person I can think of. Will you take the news to Manuel?”
“Why, of course I will, Rosa. I wanted to last night but Carlotta wouldn’t let me. I’ll go like a shot.”
She fell upon her knees and kissed his hands, calling upon God and the saints to bless him.
“That’s all right, Rosa,” he said. “That’s all right. We’ll save her.”
“This devil, Lopez, is going to wipe out the Whites,” she said.
“Not he,” Hi said. “Don’t you think it, Rosa.”
“What is to stop him? We’re all in his power.”
“Not you,” Hi said. “He’s done something wicked and stupid, which won’t prosper; you’ll see it won’t. Now about getting to Manuel. I don’t know a word of Spanish, except Dios and si and the oaths those sailors told me. Where can I get a horse, to begin with? I suppose all the livery stables will be closed?”