“No such chap is around here,” answered the caretaker. “I’m positive as to that; I have every one of my tenants listed in this notebook, and I know them.”
Leaving Casa Blanca, Ortiz and Manuel made for Las Peñuelas, where Ortiz had a long conversation with the sereno. Then they visited a number of the taverns in the neighbourhood; the places were filled with customers, though the doors were closed.
As they went through the Calle del Ferrocarril, the sereno pointed out the spot where they had discovered the quartered body of the woman in a sack. Ortiz and the watchman discussed this and other crimes that had been committed in the vicinity, then they separated.
“That watchman is a corker,” said Ortiz. “He’s cudgelled every bully and thug out of Las Peñuelas.”
It was already late when they had left the taverns, and Ortiz thought that they might postpone their hunt to the next day. He remained in the Campillo del Mundo Nuevo and Manuel, tramping across half of Madrid, returned to his house.
Early the next morning he went to work at the printery, but when he told them that he could not come that afternoon, he was discharged.
Manuel went to La Fea’s for a bite.
“They’ve fired me from the printing shop,” he announced, upon entering.
“You must have come in late,” snapped La Salvadora.