Rheumatism."
The general nodded. "Three days ago you were overtaken by a rain-
storm while walking through the city."
"Yes, sir."
"When the rain had passed, you returned to your hotel. At the
junction of San Rafael and Estrella streets a pool of water had
gathered and you leaped it. Am I right?"
"No doubt."
General Antuna consulted a report before him. "That pool measured
six feet four inches in width. Do you ask me to believe that a
person suffering from rheumatism could do that?"
Leslie Branch shifted his weight and wet his lips, but O'Reilly
only shrugged impatiently. "My dear General," said he, "did you
never experience a neuralgia? Well then, was the pain continuous?
In this climate my affliction troubles me very little. That is why
I remain here."
From among the articles in front of him the general selected a
solitary 44-caliber revolver cartridge and, holding it up, said:
"What do you say to this?"
"I don't know what to say. Where did it come from?"
"It was found in the cloth pocket of your valise."
O'Reilly frowned; then a light of understanding irradiated his
frank countenance. "It must have lain there ever since I left
Matanzas, three months ago."
"Ha! Matanzas!" fiercely ejaculated a colonel. "What were you
doing in Matanzas?"
It was unnecessary to prevaricate now.
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