He had seized the crucifix and held it, while he scanned the faces, and then brought his gaze back to Tula.
“You will show me that place, and prove yourself, muchacha,” he said grimly. “There’s something––something––Do you know, you damned young crane, that I can have my men shoot you against the wall out there if you lie to me?”
“Yes, my General, but it is better to give lead to enemies––and not friends. Also a knife is cheaper.”
“Silence! or you may get both!” he growled. “Here, look well––you––all of you! Have any of you but this creature seen it?”
He held it out, and Valencia, who was nearest, caught sight of it.
“Ai! Tula!” she said in reproof, “you to take that when the poor–––”
Tula flashed one killing look at her, and Valencia stopped dead, and turned an ashen gray, and Rotil watching!
“Ah––ha! I thought it!” he jeered. “Now whose trick is it to make me a fool? Come, sift this thing! You,” to Valencia, “have looked on this before. Whose is it?”
“Señor––I–––”
“So!” he said with a sort of growl in the voice, “something chokes you? Look at me, not at the others! Also listen:––if a lie is told to me, every liar here will go before a firing squad. Whose is this crucifix?”