"Did—did—were you shot at?" she asked, with dilating eyes.
"Oh, well! He didn't hit me. It's not worth mentioning."
"Not worth mentioning? Who did it, sir? I demand to know who did it?"
He hesitated as he picked his words.
"You see—well—he was behind a rock, and not very close, at that."
"But you knew him. I demand his name. He shall be punished. I myself will see to that."
"I'll do what punishing needs to be done, Miss Valdés. Much obliged to you, just the same."
Her eyes flashed.
"You forget, sir, that they are my people. I gave orders—the very strictest orders. I told them that, no matter what you did or how far you went, you were not to be molested."
"How far I went? You've been served with a legal notice, then? I thought you must have by this time."