“You may get another worse,” said Kit, as coolly as he could.  “What happened to the president?”

Somebody shouted “Mozo” and when the waiter went away Kit rested his arms on the table.  He was very tired, and it was obvious that he had come too late.  Since the president was overthrown, he had lost a large sum of money and wasted the efforts he had made to carry out Adam’s engagements.  He must get back to the lagoon as soon as possible, but he needed food and wanted to find out if Alvarez had escaped.  There was, however, some risk in asking questions, because the cafe seemed to be occupied by triumphant rebels.

Presently the men at the next table got up and their place was taken by another group, among which Kit noted Francisca Sarmiento and her relations.  He thought they looked surprised, but they saluted him politely, and soon afterwards the girl, who was nearest, looked round.

“You have courage, senor,” she remarked in a meaning tone.

“I do not know if courage is needed,” Kit replied, forcing a smile.  “It looks as if I could no longer meddle with politics.”

“Then, since you could not help Alvarez, why did you come?”

“I imagined I could help him, until I saw the presidio was burnt,” Kit replied.  “In fact, I haven’t found out what has happened yet.”

The girl studied him with some curiosity, but Kit felt that he had nothing to fear from her.

“If one did not know that you were incorruptible, one could understand your rashness,” she said, in a mocking tone.  “I suppose your steamer is in the lagoon?”

Kit looked round.  The cafe was crowded, but the people were talking excitedly, and nobody seemed to notice him and the girl.  The noise would prevent their talk being heard.

“There is no use in denying it, because Galdar’s spies have, no doubt, seen her.  I would be glad if you can tell me what has become of the president.”

Francisca gave him a keen glance.  “You do not know Alvarez is dead?”

“Ah!” said Kit.  “I did not know.  Was he killed?”

“He died soon after the fighting began.  The doctors say it was apoplexy; he had been hurrying about in the burning sun.”

“I wonder—­He was a strong man and used to the sun.”

Francisca smiled.  “One does not ask questions at a time like this.  It is prudent to believe what one is told.  When the soldiers lost their leader they ran away.”

Kit was silent for a few minutes.  He had had a faint hope that the president might rally his supporters and begin the fight again, but the hope was gone.  He knew all he wanted, and must leave the town as soon as he had had some food.

“Alvarez was a friend of mine, and the news you have given me is something of a shock,” he said.  “I think the country will feel its loss, but that is not my business, and since there is nothing to keep me here, I shall be glad to get away.”