Gomez looked pained.
"I must remind you, with some diffidence, that others have offered their help," he said.
"They offered it; they haven"t paid up. I expect you"ll find they"ll insist on knowing when you mean to deliver the goods. That"s my position; I stand firm on it."
"Very well. Before answering, I must inform the President."
"You needn"t. I"m going to take this matter to headquarters."
"Unfortunately, the President has gone to Villa Paz for a short rest. I fear he would not like to be disturbed."
"He will see me; he has to," Cliffe declared.
"After all, it is possible, but I see a difficulty. There is no inn at Villa Paz where the senorita could find accommodation and the President is, like myself, a bachelor. He could receive you, but not the senorita.
Our conventions are antiquated, but they must be considered. It is this which prevents me from offering my hospitality."
Cliffe pondered for a few moments. The conventions Gomez mentioned were justified, because women are not treated in his country as they are in the United States, and Cliffe could not leave Evelyn alone in the Valverde Hotel. For all that, he must see the President, and he imagined that although Gomez had made some difficulties the fellow was willing that he should go. Gomez was a clever rogue, but Cliffe thought he could be trusted so long as their interests did not clash.
He looked up sharply, for there was a sudden stir in the town. Cliffe was conscious of no definite sound, but he felt that the quietness had been broken and he saw that Gomez was listening. The man"s fleshy face was intent; the stamp of indulgence had gone and given place to a look of fierce cruelty. He had become alert and resolute; this struck Cliffe as significant, as there was, so far, nothing to cause alarm.
In a few moments a murmur broke out, and swelled while Gomez walked to the open window. The streets were suddenly filled with the patter of hurrying feet, and the confused outcry became a menacing roar. Cliffe jumped up. He had heard something like it when a mob of desperate strikers drove the police through an American manufacturing town; and now his daughter was alone at the hotel.
"What is it?" he asked.
"A tumult," Gomez answered. "I do not think it will be serious. We have placed a guard about the hotel, so the senorita is safe. But you will excuse me for a few minutes."
He went into an adjoining room, and Cliffe, standing by the window, heard a telephone call. After this, all sounds inside the house were drowned by the growing uproar outside. Cliffe could see nothing of the riot, but he thought he could locate it in one of the dark gaps that pierced a block of houses some distance off. The clamor gained in effect from the mystery that surrounded its cause.
Two pistol shots rang out and there was a wild shouting, but the note of fury had changed to alarm. Cliffe thought he could hear men running, and he pictured the mob pouring down the narrow street in flight, for the cries grew less frequent and receded. At last they died away, and a group of men moving in regular order came out of the mouth of a street.
They seemed to have a prisoner in their midst, and four peons plodded behind, carrying something on a shutter. Then they all vanished into the gloom, and when their measured steps were getting faint Gomez returned with an unpleasant smile.
"It is nothing," he said. "We had planned the arrest of a troublesome person called Castillo, who is a favorite with the mob. There was some excitement, and a few stones were thrown, but only one attempt at a rescue, the leader of which was shot by the rural guards. As he was a man we suspected of sedition, this has saved us some trouble."
Cliffe looked at him, as one who might study a new species of animal or some rare and ugly plant.
Gomez spread out his hands.
"It is worth noting that the affair proves our strength," he said gloatingly. "We have seized a popular leader of the discontented, and there was no determined resistance. One may consider it an encouraging sign."
Cliffe nodded agreement, and Gomez changed the subject.
"I have been thinking," he said. "If you are resolved to see the President, Senora Herrero, wife of the _alcalde_, whom you have met, would take care of the senorita while you are away. They are people of some importance, and she would be safe with them."
This struck Cliffe as a good suggestion, and when Gomez accompanied him to the _alcalde"s_ house the matter was arranged with Evelyn"s consent.
The next morning Cliffe set off with a relay of mules and three or four days later was received by the President at a little town among the hills. Nothing was said about business until he had rested and dined, and then he sat with his host on a veranda half hidden by bougainvillea, looking down on the dim littoral that ran back to the sea.
President Altiera differed from his secretary. He looked more of an autocratic soldier than a diplomatist. There was a hint of brutality about him, and Cliffe thought he would rather use force than guile. The man had a coa.r.s.e, strong face, and his eyes were stern, but he was rather reserved than truculent.
"Senor," he said, "since I understand you were determined to see me, it is an honor to welcome you, and my house and self are at your command. I imagine, however, that neither of us often wastes much time on compliments."
"My excuse is that I find one does best by going to headquarters when any difficulties arise. It seemed possible that your secretary might smooth down my remarks before transmitting them."
"And you do not wish them smoothed down," Altiera dryly suggested.
"I think it best that we should understand each other."
"That is so. What do you wish to understand?"
"When I may expect the sealed grant of the concessions."
"In two months, provided that my enemies do not kill me first, which I think is hardly probable."
"One hopes not, but there is another risk; not large, perhaps, but to be reckoned with."
Altiera laughed.
"That the people may choose another President? No, senor. I rule this country. When I cease to do so it will be because I am dead. Let us be candid. Your concessions depend upon the luck that may attend some a.s.sa.s.sin"s attempt, and I take precautions."
Cliffe thought this was true. Altiera carried a pistol, and could use it remarkably well, and two armed guards were posted outside the veranda.
"There is a condition," Altiera said. "The concessions will be yours in two months, but payment of the money my secretary asked for must be made in a fortnight, or, if this is impossible, as soon as you get home."
"It would suit me better to take the concessions in a fortnight and pay in two months," Cliffe retorted coolly.
"I am not a trader, senor; I do not dispute and haggle over a bargain."
"Neither do I," said Cliffe. "Still, it"s necessary for a trader to state his terms."
There was silence for a few moments, and Cliffe, studying his antagonist"s face, thought his statement justified. The man might use brutal means to gain his end, but he would not contend about a small advantage.
"Very well," the President conceded. "Though it will cause me some embarra.s.sment, I make another offer. You shall have the grant in a month."
"A month is too long to wait."
Altiera rose and stood with his brown hand clenched upon the back of his chair and his brows knitted. It seemed to cost him an effort to maintain his self-control, and Cliffe saw that he had pressed him hard. For all that, he did not mean to yield. He had gone farther than was prudent, and knew when to stop.
"You understand what you risk by your exactions?" Altiera asked menacingly.
"Senor Gomez made that plain. I have no security for the money already paid, except your honor."
Altiera bowed.
"Though the situation is difficult and you make it worse, I believe your confidence is not misplaced. Well, since one or two of my ministers must be consulted, I cannot give you an answer for a week; but the country is healthful in this neighborhood, and you may be interested in studying its resources. My house is at your disposal, and your comfort will be provided for while I see what can be done."
It took Cliffe a minute or two to make up his mind. He would rather have gone back to Valverde at once; but he felt that he must finish his business before returning. Although he had some misgivings, he agreed to stay.
In reaching his decision he thought Evelyn safe with the _alcalde_; but he had not reckoned on the cunning of Secretary Gomez.