THE MEXICAN GENERAL
191
"Several times he sent me down to see what's-his-name, the
murderer, who was in another section. He slept some of the night
and cried through the rest and it was impossible to get anything
out of him. 'Better see that his pals don't get at him,' said Rob–
erto, 'they'd like nothing better than to lay hands on him.' I put a
heavier guard around him and returned. Then no less than five
times he sent me to take a look at the girl. He was convinced she
bad a part in it though all the testimony there was made it obvious
she knew nothing. I told him so. 'Do as I tell you,' he said."
"That's exactly how he would say it. You imitate him mar·
velously," said Paco.
"I did as he told me," continued Citron. "And so it went half
through the night till towards morning with the crowd impatient
for something to happen out came
el ]efe
sober faced but com–
posed and with a great air of portentousness. He shut the door
carefully and waited till he had everyone around him and then he
announced: 'He is dead.' Looking at his watch, 'He died three
minutes and forty seconds ago.' The reporters ran to the phones,
the photographers pushed forward. The old woman had been lean–
ing, half lying out of her chair with her face buried in the bed–
clothes and when we rushed in she arose and shielded herself. A
secretary led her out;
el ]efe
ordered a way cleared and escorted
her as far as the elevator."
Citron paused, for the party had emerged from the arch of
the west transept and still looking ceilingward drifted down the
bowed plank floor to the aisle. "The tour is over, I think," said
Paco getting to his feet. He yawned, smiling and puffing out
hi ~
pink cheeks, with his tongue playing between his small, rather
boyish teeth.
"He's looking around, he can't see us. In a moment he'll
whistle 'Here doggie.' We'd better show ourselves." They marched
towards him.
"We didn't find the sacristan but we've done the church,''
aid Maria. "What else have you?"
"Not much," said Citron, "just the sights. There's the
useum, if you like."
"Is there any more to see in your own town,
Veracruzana?"
id the General. "You expect too much."
