“Hey, Ortiz!” he shouted.
“What do you want? Who’s calling me?”
“It’s me, Garro.”
The officer hurried down into the patio.
“Hello, there, Señor Garro! What brings you here?”
“This youngster is a cousin of the fellow that was killed near the Sotillo Bridge. He knows the murderer, who’s a cutpurse nicknamed El Bizco. Do you want to take charge of his capture?”
“Why, man.... If those are the orders....”
“No, the question is, whether you have the time and want to do it. I have a letter here from the judge to your colonel, asking that you take charge of the capture. If you haven’t the time, speak up.”
“There’s time, and to spare.”
“Then I’ll leave the letter with your colonel this very day.”