Johnme could not summon an answering smile, for his heart was like
lead. He realized now the utter futility of resistance; he knew
that to remain in Puerto Principe after this thinly veiled warning
would be to court destruction--and destruction of a shocking
character against which it would be impossible to guard. Even an
espionage stricter than that to which he had been subjected would
utterly defeat his plans. After a moment of thought he said,
gravely:
"I appreciate the delicacy of your consideration, sir, and--I
shall go."
General Antuna leaped to his feet, his grim face alight; striding
to O'Reilly, he pressed his hands--he seemed upon the point of
embracing him. "I thank you!" he cried. "You render me a supreme
service. See, I breathe easy. Permit me to offer you refreshment--
one of our famous Spanish wines. No? Then the best cigar in all
Cuba!"
His expressions of gratitude were fulsome; he swore that O'Reilly
had done him the greatest favor of his life, but his words were
like poison to his hearer.
"You embarrass me," O'Reilly told him, endeavoring to carry off
his defeat with some show of grace. In his bitterness he could not
refrain from adding, "If my accursed affliction returns, perhaps
we shall meet again before long, either here or elsewhere."
"Oh, I have little hope for such a pleasure," the general quickly
replied.
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