“I’d have looked worse if I’d drunk anisado,” Adam remarked.  “Anyhow, you had better light out and let Senor Martin get to work.”

The doctor, who felt Adam’s pulse, made a sign of agreement, and then writing on a leaf of his pocketbook gave it to the president.

“Will you send that to my house?  I need the things at once.”

Alvarez moved away and Adam looked at Kit with a forced smile.  “You needn’t be anxious, partner.  I didn’t drink all the wine; reckon they haven’t got me yet.”

Then they went out and left Adam with the doctor.

CHAPTER V

OLSEN’S OFFER

For a time, Kit wandered about the arcade, talking now and then to people he knew.  The doctor had forbidden him to return to Adam’s room and the president said it was important the guests should not know that anything unusual had happened.  Although Kit watched the stairs anxiously, nobody came down, but he saw the mayor-domo going quietly about and servants came and went on mysterious errands.  When he looked out he found the sentries had been doubled on the terrace and one stopped when, for a few moments, Kit left the arch, but the soldier knew him and marched on.  While it was obvious that the waiter was being looked for, Kit thought the search had begun too late.

At length, Alvarez sent for him, and although his heart beat as he followed the messenger he felt some relief when he saw the president.

“I have good news,” the latter said.  “The doctor is no longer anxious and you may see your uncle in the morning.  It looks as if Don Adam’s caution saved him.”

“You mean when he refused the anisado?”

Alvarez nodded.  “It is a strong-smelling liquor and one drinks a small quantity, taking water afterwards, if one wants.  Don Adam knows the country, and after all my enemies have not much imagination.  To offer him anisado was a rather obvious trick.”

“I’m thankful they failed,” Kit said sternly, and clenched his fist with sudden passion.  “If they had not—­”

“One understands, Don Cristoval; I have felt like that when the plotters did not fail,” Alvarez answered with grim sympathy.  He was silent for a moment or two and Kit imagined he was thinking about his murdered son.  Then he resumed:  “Well, we shall have a reckoning and it will be bad for the dogs when I send in my bill.  But that must wait, and I would like you to dance.  I see Senorita Sarmiento is not engaged and she dances well.”

“I doubt if Dona Francisca would care to dance with me again.”

“Ah,” said Alvarez, “one should not be too modest!  Francisca is a politician, but she is a woman.  Perhaps you found she is not on my side?”

“I imagined she was not.”

Alvarez shrugged.  “Well, I do not fight with women, although they are sometimes dangerous.  Try again, my friend.  Just now we are all playing at make-believe.”