"My God!" exclaimed Roberto.
"How far is Refugio from here?" Raul asked. "What's the shortest way, Velasco?"
"Forty miles or more," said Velasco.
"Maybe fifty," said de Selva.
"What can we do to help?" asked Gabriel.
"I'm sending men immediately," said Raul. "Gabriel, look after Lucienne. I'll be back shortly."
"Hello, Lucienne, what seems to be wrong?" asked the Baroness, curious that she had come to Petaca, aware of some kind of excitement.
Lucienne explained briefly and sat down with Gabriel on the veranda, out of the sun. Removing her glove, she said: "I'd like a drink. Would someone get me a drink?"
Others had crowded round her and she had to repeat in detail the Refugio tragedy.
Father Gabriel put a drink in her hands.