"
"Your solicitude is touching." O'Reilly bowed mockingly; but
disregarding his tone, General Antuna proceeded in the same false
key:
"Suppose you should be found dead some day. Imagine my feelings."
The speaker's tone and expression were eloquent of concern. "How
could I fix the responsibility?"
"By having me followed, as usual, I dare say," O'Reilly said,
bitterly.
"Oh, you will of course be shadowed day and night; in fact, to be
quite sure of your--er--safety I shall ask you to permit one of my
men to accompany you everywhere and even to share your room. We
shall try never to lose sight of you, depend upon it. But these
detectives are careless fellows at best; I don't trust them. Of
course such precautions would exonerate me from all blame and
relieve my Government from any responsibility for injury to you,
but, nevertheless, it would tend to complicate relations already
strained. You see I am quite honest with you." The general allowed
time for his words to sink in; then he sighed once more. "I wish
you could find another climate equally beneficial to your
rheumatism. It would lift a great load from my mind. I could offer
you the hospitality of an escort to Neuvitas, and your friend Mr.
Branch is such good company he would so shorten your trip to New
York!" The speaker paused hopefully; that same sardonic flicker
was on his lips.
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