The Dust of Conflict

by Harold Bindloss

  XXII -- MORALES MAKES A PROPOSAL

  THE night was clear and hot when Appleby sat with Harper in the CafeSalamanca looking out upon the plaza at Santa Marta. The big room wasopen-fronted, and only divided from the pavement by a row of woodenpillars and a balustrade. It was also, as usual, crowded with citizenswho assembled there in the evening to discuss politics and the progressof the campaign, which accounted for the fact that Appleby sat quietlyin a corner with a little glass of wine on the table in front of him. Herealized it was highly desirable that he should obtain some insight intowhat was going on, for there was then a growing distrust of Americanimperialism which was perhaps not altogether unwarranted among the Cubanloyalists. Aliens were being watched with a jealous eye, and Appleby,who had already had difficulties with the petty officials, was awarethat there was little the Administration contemplated that was not knownin the cafes. Most men of Iberian extraction are apt at intrigue, andsince the journals for excellent reasons usually maintained a discreetreticence popular discontent and factional bitterness found anothervent.

  It seemed to him that there was a vague expectancy and uneasiness uponeverybody that evening, for the voices were lower than usual, and hereand there a group sat silent turning over the latest journals fromSpain, though at times a man would express himself with almostpassionate vehemence and then stop abruptly, as though uncertain of hisaudience. It was known that American warships had been sighted on theCuban coast, and one great vessel was even then lying in Havana harbor,and the men's dark eyes grew suspicious as they asked what it foretided.Appleby heard enough to convince him that if he hoped to carry on thebusiness of the hacienda considerable discretion would be necessary, andthen turned his eyes upon the plaza.

  The cazadores' band was playing there, and the patter of feet, swish oflight dresses, jingle of steel, and murmur of voices broke through themusic, for the citizens were as usual taking their evening promenadewith their wives and daughters. The plaza was well lighted, and themixture of broadcloth, uniform, white duck, and diaphanous draperiescaught the eye; and Appleby, who had artistic perceptions, foundpleasure in watching the concourse stream through the light that shoneout from the cafe. Grave merchant, portly senora draped in black, withpowdered face, and slim, olive-cheeked senorita went by, smiling notinfrequently over a lifted fan at an officer of cazadores with clinkingsword, or a youthful exquisite from Havana in costly hat of Panama andtoothpick-pointed shoes. Still, even where the press was thickest therewas no jostling, for the assembly was good-humored and characterized bya distinguished courtesy. The men were Latins, and they could take theirpleasure unconcernedly, though the land lay desolate and strewn withashes only a few leagues away. Santa Marta was, for the most part,loyal, and, in spite of official corruption, and not infrequent abuse ofauthority, Spanish domination produced at least an outward decorum andsense of security in the tropics.

  By and by the music stopped, and a murmur seemed to run round the plaza.It grew louder, and there was a clamor in one of the streets, then ashout and a bewildering hum of voices broke out. The men in the caferose to their feet, but Appleby, who laid his hand on Harper warningly,sat still. Something was evidently happening, and he knew the uncertaintemper of the Latins. Then a man who pushed through the crowd spranginto the cafe flourishing what appeared to be a Havana journal and wasseized by those about the door. A sudden tense silence, which washeightened by the clamor outside, followed the babel of questions, whileone of the men who had grasped the paper opened it. Then he flungdisjointed sentences at the rest in a voice which was hoarse withpassion and apprehension.

  "The American warship sunk at Havana with all her crew!" he said. "No, afew, it seems, were saved. American suggestions that she was destroyedby a torpedo insulting to Spain. It is believed to be an explosion inthe magazine. There will be demands for compensation. Attitude of theAmericans unreasonable."

  "THE BIG GAUNT AMERICAN AND SLIM LATIN REELED THROUGH THECAFE."]

  Harper rose up suddenly, a tall, commanding figure, with his face verygrim, and brought a great fist crashing down upon the table.

  "Good Lord!" he said hoarsely. "They've sunk the 'Maine'!"

  Then striding forward he rent half of the journal from the man who heldit. He thrust it upon Appleby, who followed him, and his face was almostgray with anger as he waved the rest aside.

  "Read it! I can't trust my eyes," he said.

  Appleby took the journal, and there was once more silence in the cafe,for Harper stood with his big hand clenched on the neck of a heavydecanter while his comrade read aloud in Castilian. The account wasbrief, and had evidently been written tactfully, but there were mixedwith its expression of regret vague hints that in case of unwarrantedAmerican demands the Administration would remember what was due toSpanish dignity.

  "It's horrible, Harper! Still, it must have been an accident," he said.

  Harper stood very straight, with a blaze in his eyes and the veins onhis forehead swelling.

  "No," he said, and his voice rang through the cafe, so that men swunground and stared at him outside. "The devils sunk her. By the Lord,we'll whip them off the earth!"

  He spoke in English, but his voice and attitude were significant, and aslim young officer of cazadores rose up at a table close beside him, andglanced at the rest.

  "We shall know how to answer the insolence of these Americans, senores,"he said, and held up his wine-glass as he turned to Harper. "It isdemanded that you join us--Viva la Espana!"

  The table went over, and the glass fell in shivers as Harper sprang.Next moment a frantic clamor broke out, and he had the officer by thewaist and arm. A brown hand clutched at the sword, but dropped inertagain, and the big gaunt American and slim Latin reeled through thecafe, overturning seats and tables as they went. Then they fell with acrash against the balustrade, and, though even Appleby could not quiteunderstand how his comrade accomplished it, the officer of cazadores wasswung from his feet, and went down full-length upon the pavementoutside. A roar went up from the crowd, but while Appleby, who set hislips, wondered what the result of Harper's folly would be, two of thelights went out suddenly, and a hand touched his arm.

  "It is not advisable to stay here," a low voice said. "There is a doorat the back. Come with me."

  The place was almost dark now, and Appleby contrived to seize Harper'sshoulder and drag him back as the crowd poured in from the plaza. Oncemore somebody touched him, and a man overturned a larger table, whichbrought down three or four of those who made at them most fiercely,while in another moment or two he found himself, still clutching Harper,in a shadowy calle behind the cafe. He turned to thank the two men hesaw beside him, but one ran up the street, and the other, slipping backinto the cafe, slammed the door in his face. Harper stared at him,gasping.

  "Let go of me. I'm going back to kill two or three of them," he said.

  Appleby thrust him forward into the street. "You are not while I canhold you," he said. "It seems to me you have done quite enough!"

  Harper turned and glared at him, but Appleby still clutched his shoulderresolutely, and his face relaxed. "Well," he said more calmly, "I guessI've hurt more than the feelings of one of them. What did that fellowshove us out for, anyway?"

  "I don't know," said Appleby. "Perhaps he was afraid of their wreckingthe cafe, or he didn't want us hurt. We seem to have more friends thanwe are aware of in Santa Marta. It is apparently convenient at times tobe connected with the Sin Verguenza."

  Harper, who shook off his anger, followed him down the street, but hestopped again when they crossed another one that led back to the plaza.They could see the wide opening, with the white walls that hemmed it incutting against the soft indigo of the sky, and hear the confusedmurmurs that rose out of it. Then there was a crash of music that rang,as it were, exultantly across the shadowy town until a tumultuous roarof voices drowned the Royal March of Spain.

  Harper clenched one hand. "You hear them!" he said. "Well, they'll gettheir answer by and by, and they're not goin
g to feel like shouting whenwe're through with them."

  Appleby said nothing. He understood the hot Castilian temperament, andthe outburst of sentiment was comprehensible, but the news of thedisaster had also sent a chill of horror and suspicion through him.Still, he laid his hand with a restraining grasp on Harper's arm, andthey went on silently to the "Four Nations," where they had left thevehicle in which they had driven out from the hacienda.

  It was, somewhat to Appleby's astonishment, next evening before theyheard anything more of the affair, and then, as he sat in the big barelyfurnished general room at San Cristoval, Pancho, the major-domo, came upto say that the Colonel Morales was waiting below. Appleby bade himbring out cigars and wine, and rose from his seat when Morales came in.He shook hands urbanely, unbuckled his sword, and laid his kepi on thetable, and then sat down with an expression of concern in his olive facewhich Appleby fancied was assumed. It was then about eight o'clock inthe evening, and had been dark two hours, but it was very hot, and thedoor and window lattices which opened on the veranda had been flungwide. There was, however, no moon, and black shadows closed in upon thescanty strip of light that shone outside.

  "I have come as a friend on a somewhat delicate business," said Morales,pouring out a glass of wine. "The affair is, as you will realize, aserious one."

  Appleby, who fancied he understood his man, smiled. "I scarcely think itis. Nobody attaches much importance to a trifling dispute in a cafe. Onehas also to make allowances in moments of political excitement."

  "It is not a trifle brutally to assault a Spanish officer, as you wouldhave discovered had I not held back the order for your friend's arrest,"said Morales dryly.

  "Still, one would scarcely fancy the officer in question would wisheverybody to hear of it. He had, if I remember correctly, his sword withhim. I am only suggesting this because it seems to me that in his case Iwould prefer the affair arranged quietly."

  The color appeared to grow a trifle warmer in Morales' cheek, and therewas a faint sparkle in his eyes, but though it seemed to cost him aneffort he smiled.

  "You have, as I surmised, considerable discretion," he said. "Well, Iwill admit that the view I urged upon the Teniente Pinillo muchresembled yours. In fact, it is conceivable that he would be willing toentertain any honorable amend your comrade should think fit to makehim."

  Appleby decided that he would gain nothing by showing any specialeagerness to straighten out the difficulty, since he had reasons forbelieving that it was not mere friendliness which had brought Moralesthere.

  "Of course, that is the sensible view," he said. "Still, knowing thedelicate pride of your countrymen, I am a trifle astonished that theTeniente Pinillo proved so amenable to reason."

  A little grim twinkle crept into Morales' eyes. "It was at mysuggestion. When I venture to make a recommendation it is apt to proveconvincing."

  Appleby knew that this was the case, for the little olive-faced soldierwas more dreaded in that country than the Sin Verguenza. He also feltthat it was not without a reason the dark eyes were fixed upon himsearchingly.

  "That is not astonishing," he said. "Well, I fancy the one I intend tomake will also be considered by the Senor Harper. I will send for him byand by."

  Morales sat still a minute or two fingering his cigar, with his back tothe window, and the light upon his face. Appleby had foreseen this whenhe drew out a chair for him, but he could himself follow the stream oflight that shone out across the veranda, and fancied that a shadowyobject was crouching just outside it. His ears were also keen, and hehad once or twice caught an almost imperceptible sound. Then Moralesturned to him.

  "Your comrade was concerned in another affair which cannot be arrangedso easily," he said. "It is not so very long ago since he was seencarrying arms in the Alturas Pass."

  It was only by a strenuous effort that Appleby sat very still, andstrove to keep his face expressionless. "That is your contention!" hesaid. "You do not expect me to admit it?"

  The two men looked at each other steadily for almost a minute, and thenMorales smiled. "It is of no importance. Here are no witnesses," hesaid. "He had, however, a companion, Senor Appleby."

  Appleby had expected this, and was prepared. He was also by no means assure as Morales seemed to be that there were no witnesses, but theuncertainty on that point did not trouble him. He had a quiet confidencein Pancho, and the only men the latter allowed near the house had,Appleby felt certain, at least a suspicion of his connection with theSin Verguenza. He listened intently, and though everything seemed verystill, again fancied he heard a very faint sound on the veranda.

  "How long have you known this?" he said.

  "Since you came to the hacienda, I think," said Morales dryly. "It was avery poor compliment you paid me when you fancied that you had deceivedme."

  "Then would it be too much to ask exactly how much you know?"

  Morales laughed. "I will put my cards on the table. There was the attackon Santa Marta, the affair at Alturas, and the escape of a prisoner thenight of the Alcalde's ball. There are, I think, other counts one couldurge against you, but those I have mentioned would be sufficient."

  Appleby decided to make an experiment. "It seems to me," he said, "thatso much knowledge is apt to prove dangerous to the man who possessesit."

  "You mean--"

  "I have but to raise my voice, and you would find it difficult to getout of the hacienda San Cristoval alive."

  It was evident that the little officer's nerves were good, for he smilecontemptuously.

  "That difficulty has been provided against," he said. "There are two orthree files of infantry not very far away, my friend, and two of myofficers have precise instructions as to what o do in case I am absent asuspicious time."

  Appleby laughed, for, though he fancied there was something behind it,the man's frankness was not without its effect on him. His fearlessnesshe took as a matter of course, for it was not without a reason Moralesbore the title of the Sword.

  "Then," he said, "we come to the question what do you want from me?"

  "As a commencement it would be pleasanter to mention what I can offeryou, and that would be employment on special service by theAdministration at a reasonable remuneration. I may admit that you haveabilities. Still, should you prefer it, you could be sent to the coastwith a permit that would take you safely out of Cuba instead. You arehere to make money, which is, however, scarce in Cuba just now, and therevolution is no affair of yours."

  "Well," said Appleby, "we will come back to my question."

  "Then I ask very little. Certain papers of the Senor Harding's which arein your possession, and the perusal of the communications that passthrough your hands."

  Appleby was glad he had his back to the light, for he felt his face growhot, but, though it cost him an effort, he maintained an outwardtranquillity, and sat still, rolling in his fingers the cigar he tookup. Morales' purpose was plain to him. He was known to be a loyalsoldier, but he was also a man with an insatiable greed, and Appleby wasaware that Harding, perhaps forecasting an American occupation, had beenmaking overtures to the insurgents. Indeed, though Harding had neverentirely taken him into his confidence, he had seen enough to convincehim that he was playing a very risky game. Morales, it seemed, suspectedit, and apparently desired sufficient proof to bring Harding within hisgrasp, which, Appleby surmised, would only relax when the American hadbeen largely denuded of his possessions. Then another thought flashedinto his mind. He had once or twice seen Morales' dark eyes fixed onNettie, and knew that he was one who usually obtained what he set hisheart upon, while Harding was on his way to Cuba even then. If he provedobdurate, and Morales had anything to support his demands with, it mightgo hard with him.

  This was plain to Appleby, though his perceptions were somewhat bluntedby the anger he felt. Morales' suggestion that he was capable of suchtreachery stung him to the quick, but he was quite aware that the retortincisive would be puerile folly, and that if he was to prove he realizedhis obligation to Hardi
ng he must proceed circumspectly. As affairsstood just then Morales held him beneath his thumb.

  "It is a proposal that must have consideration. There are difficulties,"he said, and hoped his voice did not betray him.

  "I think," said Morales dryly, "that haste would be advisable."

  "Still, I must have until this time to-morrow."

  Morales rose, put on his kepi, and buckled on his sword. Then he turnedto Appleby with a little significant smile.

  "Until then, though it is quite unnecessary," he said. "I think a veryfew minutes' reflection will convince you that my proposal should beacceded to. In that case you will find me at the cuartel any time to-morrow."

  Appleby went out with him, and as they descended the stairway theofficer stopped.

  "I fancy I heard somebody in the shadows yonder," he said.

  "Yes," said Appleby dryly, raising his voice a trifle, "it is quitelikely that somebody is there. In this country one takes precautions.You, however, have my word that in your case there is no necessity forapprehension."

  Morales laughed a little. "It is well that I took mine, but I will askyou for your company as far as the carretera, Senor Appleby. One doesnot attach too much importance even to the word of a gentleman justnow."

  They walked through the dusky cane together, and parted with punctilioussalutations when they reached the dim white road. Then Appleby went backto the house, and met Harper at the foot of the stairway.

  "Colonel Morales came to demand an apology from you, and I promised himthat you would make it," he said.

  Harper seemed hoarse with anger. "I could scarcely keep my hands off himas it was. It would have pleased me to pound the life out of him."

  "Well," said Appleby dryly, "I scarcely think it will be necessary tomake the apology now, but I can't tell you anything more until to-morrow. There is a good deal I must think over."

  He went up the stairway, and sat for at least an hour staring straightbefore him with an unlighted cigar in his hand. Then he rose with alittle weary smile, and tapped a suspended strip of tin, which rangdissonantly until the major-domo came in.

  "You know where Don Maccario is?" he said.

  Pancho's eyes twinkled. "I think I could find him."

  "Then remember what I tell you," said Appleby, who laid his hand on theman's shoulder, spoke softly and rapidly, until the latter nodded.

  "With permission, I will give the message to three other men who can betrusted and start at once," he said.

  "Is it necessary?" said Appleby, with a faint trace of astonishment.

  Pancho smiled significantly. "I think it is," he said. "Morales makescertain. He leaves nothing to chance."