Королі та капуста

           AllthepicturesofPresidentMirafloresrepresenthimasthepossessorofaluxuriantsupplyofdarkandcarefullytendedwhiskers;butthestoryofthebarber,Estebán,hadpreparedGoodwinforthechange.

           Themanstumbledinfromthedarkroom,hiseyesblinkingatthelamplight,andheavyfromsleep.

           "Whatdoesthismean?"hedemandedinexcellentEnglish,withakeenandperturbedlookattheAmerican—"robbery?"

           "Verynearit,"answeredGoodwin."ButIratherthinkI’mintimetopreventit.Irepresentthepeopletowhomthismoneybelongs,andIhavecometoconveyitbacktothem."Hethrusthishandintoapocketofhisloose,linencoat.

           Theotherman’shandwentquicklybehindhim.

           "Don’tdraw,"calledGoodwin,sharply;"I’vegotyoucoveredfrommypocket."

           Theladysteppedforward,andlaidonehandupontheshoulderofherhesitatingcompanion.Shepointedtothetable."Tellmethetruth—thetruth,"shesaid,inalowvoice."Whosemoneyisthat?"

           Themandidnotanswer.Hegaveadeep,long-drawnsigh,leanedandkissedherontheforehead,steppedbackintotheotherroomandclosedthedoor.

           Goodwinforesawhispurpose,andjumpedforthedoor,butthereportofthepistolechoedashishandtouchedtheknob.Aheavyfallfollowed,andsomeoneswepthimasideandstruggledintotheroomofthefallenman.