"General Alfarez is my respected friend," he said, with a quietness that intensified his meaning, "and I rejoice that he will be the next President of Panama."
"You, of course, know that there is opposition to him?"
"All Panama knows that."
"General Alfarez does not seem to be a friend of the United States."
"There are few who hold the views I do. He is a man of strong character, he has no commercial interests to influence him as I have, and so we differ. Yet I respect him—"
"It is precisely because of those views of yours that I wish to consult you," said Cortlandt, slowly. "In all the Republic there is no one so progressive as you. May I speak frankly?"
Garavel inclined his white head without removing his intense, dark eyes from the speaker.
"Don Anibal Alfarez can never be President of Panama!"
The banker made no visible movement, yet the effect of this positive declaration was almost like that of a blow. After a pause he said:
"May I tell him you said so?"