Under other conditions it would be a pleasure to know you better.
It grieves me, therefore, to warn you that your further stay in
Cuba will not be--pleasant. I almost regret that there is no
conclusive evidence against you; it would so simplify matters.
Come now, hadn't you better acknowledge that I have guessed your
secret?"
O'Reilly's perplexity was, changing to dismay, for it seemed to
him he was being played with; nevertheless, he shook his head. "I
would only be deceiving you, sir," he said.
General Antuna sighed. "Then I see embarrassments ahead for both
of us."
"More arrests?"
"Not necessarily. Understand me, I speak as one gentleman to
another, but--you must have noticed that Americans are unpopular
with our troops. Eh? They are impulsive, these troopers; accidents
cannot be prevented. Suppose something should happen to you? There
is the trouble. You came to Cuba to enjoy its climate; you cannot
be expected to remain indoors. Of course not. Well! Among our
soldiers are many new recruits, patriotic, enthusiastic young
fellows, but--careless. They are wretchedly unproficient marksmen,
and they haven't learned the dangers of promiscuous rifle fire.
They are forever shooting at things, merely to score a hit. Would
you believe it? Oh, I have to discipline them frequently. To think
of you going abroad through the streets, therefore, worries me
intensely.
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