Cæsar told him the names of the towns where he feared substitution. Then he warned him:
“You will say nothing about this.”
“Nothing.”
Cæsar gave precise instructions to the landlord of the café, and on bidding Uncle Chinaman good-bye, he told him:
“I know already that you are really on my side.”
“You believe so?”
“Yes.” On Sunday the elections began with absolute inanimation. In the city the Republicans were getting the majority, especially in the suburbs. Padilla was far behind. Nevertheless, it was said at the Casino that it was possible Padilla would finally win the election, because he might have an overwhelming majority in five or six rural wards.
At four in the afternoon the results in the city gave the victory to Moncada. Next to him came San Román, and in the last place Padilla.
The returns began to come in from the villages. In all of them the results were similar. It was found that the official element voted for the Government candidate, and those who had been attached to the preceding town-council for the Liberal.
At eight in the evening the returns arrived from the first village where Padilla expected a victory. The messenger, surrounded by four men from Cidones, was in a terrified condition. He handed over the returns and left. The result was the same as in all the other rural districts.