"H-how came you with this, Father?"
"I asked for it, my son."
"Does he ... does the general know ... everything?"
"I suppose so, Señor Strawbridge," said the priest, drily; "he has a fairly competent intelligence department, and you were right here in the palacio."
Strawbridge nodded numbly.
"Did ... you tell him why you wanted this?" he asked in a strained voice.
"The general has confidence in me, señor; I simply requested the order, and received it. You, yourself, would have received it in due time if ... you had been available."
The salesman's shoulders felt heavy. Perspiration broke out over his face.
"Well, ... after all ... I can't accept this."
"What do you mean?"