CHAPTER 14. LE ROI EST MORT; VIVE LE ROI
When the news reached O'Halloran that Megales had scored on theopposition by arresting Bucky O'Connor, the Irishman swore fluently athimself for his oversight in forgetting the Northern Chihuahua. So faras the success of the insurgents went, the loss of the ranger was amatter of no importance, since O'Halloran knew well that nothing in theway of useful information could be cajoled or threatened out of him.But, personally, it was a blow to the filibuster, because he knew thatthe governor would not hesitate to execute his friend if his fancy orhis fears ran that way, and the big, red-headed Celt would not have letBucky go to death for a dozen teapot revolutions if he could help it.
"And do you think you're fit to run even a donation party, you great,blundering gumph?" Mike asked himself, in disgust. "You a conspirator!You a leader of a revolution! By the ghost of Brian Boru, you had betterrun along back to the kindergarten class."
But he was not the man to let grass grow under his feet while hehesitated how to remedy his mistake. Immediately he got in touch withValdez and a few of his party, and decided on a bold counterstroke that,if successful, would oppose a checkmate to the governor's check andwould also make unnecessary the unloosing of the State prisoners on thedevoted heads of the people.
"But mind, gentlemen," said Juan Valdez plainly, "the governor must notbe injured personally. I shall not consent to any violence, no matterwhat the issue. Furthermore, I should like to be given charge of thepalace, in order to see that his wants are properly provided for.We cannot afford to have our movement discredited at the outset byunnecessary bloodshed or by any wanton outrages."
O'Halloran smothered a smile. "Quite right, senor. Success at allhazards, but, if possible, success with peace. And, faith, subjectto the approval of the rest of those present, I do hereby appoint youkeeper of the governor's person and his palace, as well as all that dodwell therein, including his man servants, his maid servants, and hisdaughter. We hold you personally responsible for their safe keeping. Seethat none of them cherish the enemy or give aid and comfort to them."The Irishman finished, with a broad smile that seemed to say: "Begad,there's a clear field. Go in and win, me bye."
Nothing could be done in broad daylight, while the troops of thegovernment party patrolled the streets and were prepared to pounce onthe first suspects that poked their noses out of the holes where theywere hidden. Nevertheless, their spies were busy all day, reportingto the opposition leaders everything that happened of interest. In thecourse of the day General Valdez, the father of Juan, was arrestedon suspicion of complicity and thrown into prison, as were a scoreof others thought to be in touch with the Valdez faction. All day thetroops of the governor were fussily busy, but none of the real leadersof the insurgents was taken. For General Valdez, though he had beenselected on account of his integrity and great popularity to succeedMegales, was unaware of the plot on foot to retire the dictator frompower.
It was just after nightfall that a farmer drove into Chihuahua witha wagonload of alfalfa. He was halted once or twice by guards on thestreets, but, after a very cursory inspection, was allowed to pass. Hisroute took him past the back of the governor's palace, an impressivestone affair surrounded by beautiful grounds. Here he stopped, as if tofasten a tug. Out of the hay tumbled fifteen men armed with rifles andrevolvers, all of them being careful to leave the wagon on the sidefarthest from the palace.
"Now, me lads, we're all heroes by our talk. It's up to us to makegood. I can promise one thing: by this time to-morrow we'll all be livepatriots or dead traitors. Which shall it be?"
O'Halloran's concluding question was a merely rhetorical one, forwithout waiting for an answer he started at the double toward thepalace, taking advantage of the dense shrubbery that offered cover up tothe last twenty yards. This last was covered with a rush so rapid thatthe guard was surprised into a surrender without a protest.
Double guard was on duty on account of the strained situation, but theofficer in charge, having been won over to the Valdez side, had takencare to pick them with much pains. As a consequence, the insurgents metfriends in place of enemies, and within three minutes controlled fullythe palace. Every entrance was at once closed and guarded, so that nonews of the reversal could reach the military barracks.
So silently had the palace been taken that, except the guards and oneor two servants held as prisoners, not even those living within it wereaware of anything unusual.
"Senor Valdez, you are appointed to notify the senorita that she neednot be alarmed at what has occurred. Senor Garcia will act as captainof the day, and allow nobody to leave the building under any pretextwhatever. I shall personally put the tyrant under arrest. Rodrigo andJose will accompany me."
O'Halloran left his subordinates at the door when he entered theapartments of the governor. The outer room was empty, and the Irishmanpassed through it to the inner one, where Megales was accustomed to takehis after-dinner siesta.
To-night, however, that gentleman was in no mood for peaceful reflectionfollowed by slumber. He was on the edge of a volcano, and he knew it.The question was whether he could hold the lid on without an eruption.General Valdez he dared not openly kill, on account of his fame and hispopularity, but that pestilent Irishman O'Halloran could be assassinatedand so could several of his allies--if they only gave him time. That wasthe rub. The general dissatisfaction at his rule had been no secret, ofcourse, but the activity of the faction opposing him, the boldness anddaring with which it had risked all to overthrow him, had come as socomplete a surprise that he had been unprepared to meet it. Everywhereto-night his guards covered the city, ready to crush rebellion as soonas it showed its head. Carlo was in personal charge of the troops, andwould remain so until after the election to-morrow, at which he would bedeclared formally reelected. If he could keep his hands on the reinsfor twenty-four hours more the worst would be past. He would give a gooddeal to know what that mad Irishman, O'Halloran, was doing just now.If he could once get hold of him, the opposition would collapse like ahouse of cards.
At that precise moment in walked the mad Irishman pat to the Mexican'sthought of him.
"Buenos noches, excellency. I understand you have been looking for me.I am, senor, yours to command." The big Irishman brought his heelstogether and gave a mocking military salute.
The governor's first thought was that he was a victim of treachery, hissecond that he was a dead man, his third that he would die as a Spanishgentleman ought. He was pale to the eyes, but he lost no whit of hisdignity.
"You have, I suppose, taken the palace," he said quietly.
"As a loan, excellency, merely as a loan. After to-morrow it willbe returned you in the event you still need it," replied O'Halloranblandly.
"You expect to murder me, of course?"
The big Celt looked shocked. "Not at all! The bulletins may perhaps haveto report you accidentally killed or a victim of suicide. Personally Ihope not."
"I understand; but before this lamentable accident happens I beg leaveto assure myself that the palace really is in your hands, senor. A mereformality, of course." The governor smiled his thin-lipped smile andtouched a bell beside him.
Twice Megales pressed the electric bell, but no orderly appeared inanswer to it. He bowed to the inevitable.
"I grant you victor, Senor O'Halloran. Would it render your victoryless embarrassing if I were to give you material immediately for thatbulletin on suicide?" He asked the question quite without emotion, ascourteously as if he were proposing a stroll through the gardens.
O'Halloran had never liked the man. The Irish in him had always boiledat his tyranny. But he had never disliked him so little as at thismoment. The fellow had pluck, and that was one certain passport to therevolutionist's favor.
"On the contrary, it would distress me exceedingly. Let us reserve thatbulletin as a regrettable possibility in the event that less drasticmeasures fail."
"Which means, I infer, that you have need of me before I pass by theSocratic method," he sug
gested, still with that pale smile set ingranite "I shall depend on you to let me know at what precise hour youwould like to order an epitaph written for me. Say the word at yourconvenience, and within five minutes your bulletin concerning the lategovernor will have the merit of truth."
"Begad, excellency, I like your spirit. If it's my say-so, you will liveto be a hundred. Come the cards are against you. Some other day they mayfall more pat for you. But the jig's up now."
"I am very much of your opinion, sir," agreed Megales.
"Then why not make terms?"
"Such as--"
"Your life and your friends' lives against a graceful capitulation."
"Our lives as prisoners or as free men?"
"The utmost freedom compatible with the circumstances. Your friends mayeither leave or remain and accept the new order of things. I'm afraid itwill be necessary for you and General Carlo to leave the state for yourown safety. You have both many enemies."
"With our personal possessions?"
"Of course. Such property as you cannot well take may be left in thehands of an agent and disposed of later."
Megales eyed him narrowly. "Is it your opinion, on honor, that thegeneral and I would reach the boundaries of the State without beingassassinated?"
"I pledge you my honor and that of Juan Valdez that you will be safelyescorted out of the country if you will consent to a disguise. It isonly fair to him to say that he stands strong for your life."
"Then, sir, I accept your terms if you can make it plain to me that youare strong enough to take the city against General Carlo."
From his pocket O'Halloran drew a typewritten list and handed it to thegovernor, who glanced it over with interest.
"These army officers are all with you?"
"As soon as the word is given."
"You will pardon me if I ask for proof?"
"Certainly. Choose the name of any one of them you like and send forhim. You are at liberty to ask him whether he is pledged to us."
The governor drew a pencil-mark through a name. O'Halloran clapped hishands and Rodrigo came into the room.
"Rodrigo, the governor desires you to carry a message to Colonel Onate.He is writing it now. You will give Colonel Onate my compliments and askhim to make as much haste as is convenient."
Megales signed and sealed the note he was writing and handed it toO'Halloran, who in turn passed it to Rodrigo.
"Colonel Onate should be here in fifteen minutes at the farthest. May Iin the meantime offer you a glass of wine, Dictator O'Halloran?" At theIrishman's smile, the Mexican governor hastened to add, misunderstandinghim purposely: "Perhaps I assume too much in taking the part of hosthere. May I ask whether you will be governor in person or by deputy,senor?"
"You do me too much honor, excellency. Neither in person nor by deputy,I fear. And, as for the glass of wine--with all my heart. Good liquor isalways in order, whether for a funeral or a marriage."
"Or an abdication, you might add. I drink to a successful reign, SenorDictator: Le roi est mort; vive le roi!"
The Irishman filled a second glass. "And I drink to Governor Megales, abrave man. May the cards fall better for him next time he plays."
The governor bowed ironically. "A brave man certainly, and you mightadd: 'Who loses his stake without striking one honest blow for it.'"
"We play with stacked cards, excellency. Who can forestall the treacheryof trusted associates?"
"Sir, your apology for me is very generous, no less so than the termsyou offer," returned Megales sardonically.
O'Halloran laughed. "Well, if you don't like my explanations I shallhave to let you make your own. And, by the way, may I venture on adelicate personal matter, your excellency?"
"I can deny you nothing to-night, senor," answered Megales, mocking athimself.
"Young Valdez is in love with your daughter. I am sure that she is fondof him, but she is very loyal to you and flouts the lad. I was thinking,sir, that--"
The Spaniard's eye flashed, but his answer came suavely as heinterrupted: "Don't you think you had better leave Senor Valdez and meto arrange our own family affairs? We could not think of troubling youto attend to them."
"He is a good lad and a brave."
Megales bowed. "Your recommendation goes a long way with me, senor, and,in truth, I have known him only a small matter of twenty years longerthan you."
"Never a more loyal youngster in the land."
"You think so? A matter of definitions, one may suppose. Loyal tothe authorized government of his country, or to the rebels who wouldillegally overthrow it?"
"Egad, you have me there, excellency. 'Tis a question of point of view,I'm thinking. But you'll never tell me the lad pretended one thing anddid another. I'll never believe you like that milksop Chaves better."
"Must I choose either a fool or a knave?"
"I doubt it will be no choice of yours. Juan Valdez is an ill man todeny what he sets his heart on. If the lady is willing--"
"I shall give her to the knave and wash my hands of her. Since treasonthrives she may at last come back to the palace as its mistress. Quiensabe?"
"Less likely things have happened. What news, Rodrigo?" This last to themessenger, who at that moment appeared at the door.
"Colonel Onate attends, senor."
"Show him in."
Onate was plainly puzzled at the summons to attend the governor, andmixed with his perplexity was a very evident anxiety. He glanced quicklyat O'Halloran as he entered, as if asking for guidance, and then asquestioningly at Megales. Had the Irishman played Judas and betrayedthem all? Or was the coup already played with success?
"Colonel Onate, I have sent for you at the request of Governor Megalesto set his mind at rest on a disturbing point. His health is failingand he considers the advisability of retiring from the active caresof state. I have assured him that you, among others, would, under suchcircumstances, be in a friendly relation to the next administration. AmI correct in so assuring him?"
Megales pierced him with his beady eyes. "In other words, Colonel Onate,are you one of the traitors involved in this rebellion?"
"I prefer the word patriot, senor," returned Onate, flushing.
"Indeed I have no doubt you do. I am answered," he exclaimed scornfully."And what is the price of patriotism these days, colonel?"
"Sir!" The colonel laid his hand on his sword.
"I was merely curious to know what position you would hold under the newadministration."
O'Halloran choked a laugh, for by chance the governor had hit the nailon the head. Onate was to be Secretary of State under Valdez, and thiswas the bait that had been dangled temptingly under his nose to induce adesertion of Megales.
"If you mean to reflect upon my honor I can assure you that myconscience is clear," answered Onate blackly.
"Indeed, colonel, I do not doubt it. I have always admired yourconscience and its adaptability." The governor turned to O'Halloran. "Iam satisfied, Senior Dictator. If you will permit me--"
He walked to his desk, unlocked a drawer, and drew forth a parchment,which he tossed across to the Irishman. "It is my commission asgovernor. Allow me to place it in your hands and put myself at theservice of the new administration."
"If you will kindly write notes, I will send a messenger to GeneralCarlo and another to Colonel Gabilonda requesting their attendance. Ithink affairs may be quickly arranged."
"You are irresistible, senor. I hasten to obey."
Megales sat down and wrote two notes, which he turned over toO'Halloran. The latter read them, saw them officially sealed, anddispatched them to their destinations.
When Gabilonda was announced, General Carlo followed almost at hisheels. The latter glanced in surprise at O'Halloran.
"Where did you catch him, excellency?" he asked.
"I did not catch him. He has caught me, and, incidentally, you,general," answered the sardonic Megales.
"In short, general," laughed the big Irishman, "the game is up."
/> "But the army--You haven't surrendered without a fight?"
"That is precisely what I have done. Cast your eye over that paper,general, and then tell me of what use the army would be to us. Half theofficers are with the enemy, among them the patriotic Colonel Onate,whom you see present. A resistance would be futile, and would onlyresult in useless bloodshed."
"I don't believe it," returned Carlo bluntly.
"Seeing is believing, general," returned O'Halloran, and he gave alittle nod to Onate.
The colonel left the room, and two or three minutes later a bell beganto toll.
"What does that mean?" asked Carlo.
"The call to arms, general. It means that the old regime is at an end inChihuahua. VIVA VALDEZ."
"Not without a struggle," cried the general, rushing out of the room.
O'Halloran laughed. "I'm afraid he will not be able to give thecountersign to Garcia. In the meantime, excellency, pending his return,I would suggest that you notify Colonel Gabilonda to turn over theprison to us without resistance."
"You hear your new dictator, colonel," said Megales.
"Pardon me, your excellency, but a written order--"
"Would relieve you of responsibility. So it would. I write once more."
He was interrupted as he wrote by a great shout from the plaza. "VIVAVALDEZ!" came clearly across the night air, and presently another thatstole the color from the cheek of Megales.
"Death to the tyrant! Death to Megales!" repeated the governor, afterthe shouts reached them.
"I fear, Senor Dictator, that your pledge to see me across the frontierwill not avail against that mad-dog mob." He smiled, waving an airy handtoward the window.
The Irishman set his bulldog jaw. "I'll get you out safely or, begad!I'll go down fighting with you."
"I think we are likely to have interesting times, my dear dictator. Besure I shall watch your doings with interest so long as your friendsallow me to watch anything in this present world." The governor turnedto his desk and continued the letter with a firm hand. "I think thisshould relieve you of responsibility, colonel."
By this time General Carlo had reentered the room, with a crestfallenface.
O'Halloran had been thinking rapidly. "Governor, I think the safestplace for you and General Carlo, for a day or two, will be in theprison. I intend to put my friend O'Connor in charge of its defense,with a trustworthy command. There is no need of word reaching the mob asto where you are hidden. I confess the quarters will be narrows but--"
"No narrower than those we shall occupy very soon if we do not acceptyour suggestion," smiled Megales. "Buertos! Anything to escape thepressing attentions of your friends outside. I ask only one favor, theloan of a revolver, in order that we may disappoint the mad dogs if theyoverpower the guard of Senor O'Connor."
Hastily O'Halloran rapped out orders, gathered together a little forceof five men, and prepared to start. Both Carlo and Megales he furnishedwith revolvers, that they might put an end to their lives in case theworst happened. But before they had started Juan Valdez and CarmencitaMegales came running toward them.
"Where are you going? It is too late. The palace is surrounded!" criedthe young man. "Look!" He swept an excited arm toward the window. "Thereare thousands and thousands of frenzied people calling for the lives ofthe governor and General Carlo."
Carlo shook like a leaf, but Megales only smiled at O'Halloran hiswintry smile. "That is the trouble in keeping a mad dog, senor. Onenever knows when it may get out of leash and bite perhaps even the handthat feeds it."
Carmencita flung herself, sobbing, into the arms of her father andfilled the palace with her screams. Megales handed her over promptly toher lover.
"To my private office," he ordered briskly. "Come, general, there isstill a chance."
O'Halloran failed to see it, but he joined the little group that hurriedto the private office. Megales dragged his desk from the corner whereit set and touched a spring that opened a panel in the wall. Carlo,blanched with fear at the threats and curses that filled the night,sprang toward the passageway that appeared.
Megales plucked him back. "One moment, general. Ladies first.Carmencita, enter."
Carlo followed her, after him the governor, and lastly Gabilonda,tearing himself from a whispered conversation with O'Halloran. The panelswung closed again, and Valdez and O'Halloran lifted back the deskjust as Garcia came running in to say that the mob would not be denied.Immediately O'Halloran threw open a French window and stepped out to thelittle railed porch upon which it opened. He had the chance of his lifeto make a speech, and that is the one thing that no Irishman can resist.He flung out from his revolver three shots in rapid succession to drawthe attention of the mob to him. In this he succeeded beyond his hopes.The word ran like wildfire that the mad Irishman, O'Halloran, was aboutto deliver a message to them, and from all sides of the building theypoured to hear it. He spoke in Mexican, rapidly, his great bull voicereaching to the utmost confines of the crowd.
"Fellow lovers of liberty, the hour has struck that we have worked andprayed for. The glorious redemption of our State has been accomplishedby your patriotic hands. An hour ago the tyrants, Megales and Carlo,slipped out of the palace, mounted swift horses, and are gallopingtoward the frontier."
A roar of rage, such as a tiger disappointed of its kill might give,rose into the night. Such a terrible cry no man made of flesh and bloodcould hear directed at him and not tremble.
"But the pursuit is already on. Swift riders are in chase, with ordersnot to spare their horses so only they capture the fleeing despots. Weexpect confidently that before morning the tyrants will be in our hands.In the meantime, let us show ourselves worthy of the liberty we havewon. Let us neither sack nor pillage, but show our great president inthe City of Mexico that not ruffians but an outraged people have drivenout the oppressors."
The huge Celt was swimming into his periods beautifully, but it was veryapparent to him that the mob must have a vent for its stored excitement.An inspiration seized him.
"But one sacred duty calls to us from heaven, my fellow citizens.Already I see in your glorious faces that you behold the duty. Thenforward, patriots! To the plaza, and let us tear down, let us destroy byfire, let us annihilate the statue of the dastard Megales which defacesour fair city. Citizens, to your patriotic duty!"
Another wild yell rang skyward, and at once the fringes of the crowdbegan to vanish plazaward, its centre began to heave, its flanks tostir. Three minutes later the grounds of the palace were again dark andempty. The Irishman's oratory had won the day.