"No doubt."
General Antuna consulted a report before him. "That pool measured six feet four inches in width. Do you ask me to believe that a person suffering from rheumatism could do that?"
Leslie Branch shifted his weight and wet his lips, but O'Reilly only shrugged impatiently. "My dear General," said he, "did you never experience a neuralgia? Well then, was the pain continuous? In this climate my affliction troubles me very little. That is why I remain here."
From among the articles in front of him the general selected a solitary 44-caliber revolver cartridge and, holding it up, said:
"What do you say to this?"
"I don't know what to say. Where did it come from?"
"It was found in the cloth pocket of your valise."
O'Reilly frowned; then a light of understanding irradiated his frank countenance. "It must have lain there ever since I left Matanzas, three months ago."
"Ha! Matanzas!" fiercely ejaculated a colonel. "What were you doing in
Matanzas?"
It was unnecessary to prevaricate now. Johnnie told of his earlier connection with the Carter Importing Company, gave names, dates, and facts to bear out his statements, and challenged his accusers to verify them.