Megales sat down and wrote two notes, which he turned over to O’Halloran. The latter read them, saw them officially sealed, and dispatched them to their destinations.
When Gabilonda was announced, General Carlo followed almost at his heels. The latter glanced in surprise at O’Halloran.
“Where did you catch him, excellency?” he asked.
“I did not catch him. He has caught me, and, incidentally, you, general,” answered the sardonic Megales.
“In short, general,” laughed the big Irishman, “the game is up.”
“But the army—You haven’t surrendered without a fight?”
“That is precisely what I have done. Cast your eye over that paper, general, and then tell me of what use the army would be to us. Half the officers are with the enemy, among them the patriotic Colonel Onate, whom you see present. A resistance would be futile, and would only result in useless bloodshed.”
“I don’t believe it,” returned Carlo bluntly.
“Seeing is believing, general,” returned O’Halloran, and he gave a little nod to Onate.
The colonel left the room, and two or three minutes later a bell began to toll.