“Demands?’
“The demands that I relinquish my legitimate position as President in this uncertain time of crises in this country. Woodrow Wilson wants me to hold a general election as soon as possible. Cannot he see how dangerous this would be? I have promised to do so, when the time is more appropriate. He is not satisfied and even appears to be considering the furnishing of military arms and other equipment to my enemies. Your Mr. Wilson’s attitude in refusing recognition of my government is worse than foolish. It is dangerously stupid.”
“I don’t know about these things, sir. I am only interested in getting my friend out of your hellish prison before it is too late.”
Huerta grunted and affected a puzzled expression.
“Why do you say before it is too late?”
“The reputation of San Juan de Ulua is well known, General.”
Huerta leaned back and stared at Seth. The blue tint of the lens of his glasses lent a sinister aspect to his swarthy face. It was impossible to see his eyes, however , Seth was steadfastin returning his stare. The atmosphere had suddenly become charged.
After a seemingly long silence, Huerta said, “The charges against the prisoner Comfort are criminal and most serious.”
“And equally false,” Seth added.
“You presume too much, Senor”
“I presume nothing, General Huerta. I was with Mr. Comfort the night in question. He killed nobody. Why haven’t you had me arrested?”
“That can be done very quickly.”
“Oh, come on, General. We both know that neither Hand Comfort nor I had anything to do with the killing of those unfortunate people.”
“Major Dominguez has Comfort’s pistola that was used to kill that cantina proprietor and his daughter.”
“If it was used, it was in the possession of the head of your secret police. That weapon was confiscated from Mr. Comfort by the Zapatista colonel in that train raid and I have a witness who saw that gun in the possession of Major Dominguez at Colonel Cedillo’s execution. No, General, that charge has no substance.”
The General fell silent. Seth, remembering Artimus’ caution, wondered if he had gone too far. He had actually been on the verge of accusing Huerta’s own secret service of those murders. Finally, the Dictator spoke again and Seth breathed an unobtrusive sigh of relief at his first words.
“It is possible that Major Dominguez may have acted too hastily in his preliminary investigation. I am a fair and just man, Mr. Cane” Yeah, tell that to the families of Madero, Suarez and Senator Gomez. “I am prepared to re-evaluate the charges against your friend, provided—”Here it comes, provided what? “Provided you carry a personal message from me to President Wilson.”
Seth sat up straight, caught by surprise.
“Why me, General? There are regular diplomatic channels available for that purpose.”
“Because I want you to carry it. I do not trust those regular channels. Too many people involved. I want this to be a personal message and I want only you to take it directly to President Wilson. I know you are his special agent sent down here. For what purpose, I can only imagine. No, let me make it clear. My condition for the Prisoner Comfort’s release is just as I have said.”
“You mean you won’t release my friend, unless I do it?”
“That is what I said. I’m a fair man and, quien sabe?. Maybe Comfort would be released after a re-evaluation of the charges, but you know these things take time. Additional investigations, where necessary, would have to begin. As you pointed out, the unfortunate reputation of San Juan de Ulua suggests the necessity of effecting his timely release. I am offering you a faster method of getting him released.”
“You mistake my official position, General. I am but a minor employee of the State Department and—”
Huerta held his hand, palm outward, toward Seth. “Enough of this foolish play acting. If you wish not to accept my proposition, then this meeting is over.”
Don’t reject out of hand any proposition he might offer. This warning of Artimus had suddenly become an imperative if he were to save his friend. “I do accept your proposition, General. I will carry your message to President Wilson.”
“I thought you might,” General Huerta said grimly. “If you deliver my message to President Wilson within the next two weeks, I shall order the release of the Prisoner Comfort.”
“No deal!” Seth firmly retorted. “I swear to deliver your message within two weeks, provided Handsome Comfort is immediately released to me and accompanies me to the United States.”
The expression of Huerta was one of a dictator, not used to being handed conditions. Seth felt he was on the verge of calling the proposal off, but he knew that he had to standfirm. No telling whether Hand could survive another two weeks in that hell hole. Also, how did he know that Huerta would keep his word after he had delivered his message?
Unexpectedly, Huerta slapped the top of his desk and roared with laughter. “You bargain well, Yankee. After I tell you my message for your president, I’ll draw up an order for you to take with you to Vera Cruz that will secure your friend’s release.”
“OK, General, what is your message?”
“The message will be oral and very personal from me to Wilson. If it shall be revealed other than to him, I shall deny it as a hoax and proceed to take sanctions against others of your country.”
“I will respect your conditions. It will be revealed only to the President.”
“Very well, if you doubt your memory, you may make notations.”
“There is nothing wrong with my memory. What is your message?”
Seth left the Palace with Huerta’s message and his signed authorization for Hand’s release to the commandant of San Juan de Ulua. The release was made conditional on Hand leaving Mexico and Mexican waters within eighteen hours of his release and never to return to Mexico on pain of death. It could not be exactly described as exoneration, and he told Huerta so.
Huerta, with a thin smile, spread his hands. “That is my order, Senor Cane. As you people are fond of telling us, take it or leave it.”
When he had turned to leave, something occurred to him.
“Oh, one thing more, General.”
“What is it?”
“If you won’t mind, please deliver a message to Major Dominguez for me.”
Huerta raised an eyebrow. “Major Dominguez?” “Yep. Tell him that I had better never catch him north of the Rio Bravo”
Huerta grinned contemptuously. “I shall tell the Major, but I suggest you leave for Vera Cruz immediately. My head of security is not one who takes such threats lightly. I don’t think you might care to meet up with him”
Seth looked grim. “You are mistaken, General. I should like nothing better than to meet up with that fellow.”
63
WELL, CANE, I SEE YOUR meeting with President Huerta was successful and Mr. Comfort will be released.”
Seth was startled. His intention in coming directly to see the Ambassador was to tell him that very thing.
“Pardon me, sir. How do you know that?”
Henry Lane Wilson smiled. “Oh, El Presidente called me the minute you left the Palace.”
“Did he tell you why?”
“Yes, something about you agreeing to carry a personal message to President Wilson.”
“Do you know what it says?”
“Not unless you care to tell me.”
“I promised not to tell anyone but President Wilson.”
“Of course. I need to tell you that I have wired Acting Consul Beamis in Vera Cruz to advise him of your arrival. He is advised to provide you with assistance in extracting Mr. Comfort from the clutches of San Juan de Ulua.”
“That is very thoughtful of you, sir.”
“Also, I have ale
rted the respective captains of the U.S.S Dolphin and the U.S.S. Michigan, both now in the harbor, to provide every assistance, short of war, in helping you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.”
“It is my job. Your train leaves in thirty minutes. The Embassy auto will take you to the train station”
“Again, my thanks. I have only to pack mine and Hand’s things.”
“Not necessary. Your and Comfort’s bags have been packed by my personal secretary and are already in the car.”
“Well, I reckon this is goodby, Ambassador. I appreciate the courtesy you have shown us in completing our claims report to the Secretary of State.”
“Ah, yes, the report on American citizen claims. But, how about your other report? Did you complete that?”
He must have known all along. “That report is not completed. This thing about Hand came up before I had a chance to talk with you about—”
“My alleged part in the execution of Madero and his vice president? Yes, well, if you had talked with me, I would have told you that my position, I won’t dignify it with the word defense, is already a matter of record in the State Department. There is nothing more I can or care to add to it.”
“Mr. Ambassador, I want to be fair about this. Are you sure you won’t—”
“No. You have access to my report. That is all I wish to say about it. Now, I suggest that you might want to take your leave of Mr. Seyquirt. Your thirty minutes is running. So run along and give my compliments to President Wilson and Mr. Bryan.”
“I tell you, Artimus, I felt like a school boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I don’t like this kind of snooping, especially when I am accepting the hospitality of the person I am spying on”
They were standing under the portico waiting for the embassy car to be brought around. Artimus, looked unsympathetic.
“My friend, you were not spying—investigating is the correct word. Furthermore, you were living in propertybelonging to the United States of America, not that of Ambassador Wilson. You told me that it was your intention to interview him about this matter, in order to be fair. The reason for your being here is a matter of considerable national seriousness. So don’t go apologizing to anyone.”
“Still—”
“No still. Have you reached any conclusions for your report?”
“Not yet. I haven’t had time, however, I am thinking about setting down my findings, whatever facts I’ve been able to gather, and leaving the conclusions up to the President and Bryan.”
Artimus grinned. “Often the way these things are usually done but I don’t think they will let you get away with it. Don’t you have any private thoughts on the matter?”
“You know, in a way, I have to thank that man, He couldn’t have been more helpful in the matter of Hand’s situation. I would not have had the least idea where to start. He and you saved me from making a rash fool of myself and probably jeopardizing Hand in the bargain. Also I have you to thank for the most pertinent material in my report.”
“It cost me some conscience probing but I feel I did the right thing.”
“I hope you will not receive any retaliation for your assistance to me. I think the Ambassador suspects your part. He suggested that I might want to take my leave of you, just now.”
At that moment the embassy car pulled up and Artimus said, “Don’t worry about me. Go now and get your friend out of that awful place. I pray he will be all right.” He held out his hand, and when Seth took it, added, “I have a hunch, Seth Cane, that we shall meet again some time.”
Seth replied, “I shall look forward to that, Artimus.”
64
THE CAPTAIN’S GIG CLEARED THE side of the Dolphin and headed toward the long rectangular gray stone former fortress that was San Juan de Ulua. It squatted on the narrow Gallega reef. On the side of the reef nearest Vera Cruz was a retangular building topped by a tower from which the Mexican flag flew. At the other end of the reef four lonely palm trees grew, bent and slanting in different directions as if ashamed to share the same spit of land with the notorious fortress prison.
The six man crew of sailors simultaneously shipped their oars as the boat eased smoothly alongside the landing quay at San Juan de Ulua. The two prison guards stationed on the landing, with carelessly held rifles, gaped at the boatload of Yanque bluejackets and its four passengers. A petty officer gave a terse command and one of the sailors leaped out on the landing and made a line fast to an iron ring. Captain Earle of the Dolphin disembarked first, followed by K.Y.Beamis, Commander Waring, the ship’s doctor, and Seth Cane.
Captain Niblack, skipper of the dreadnought Michigan, anchored ominously in the harbor, had offered Seth a squad of marines to accompany them to the prison, but Seth hadpolitely refused the offer, saying that Huerta’s letter should make force unnecessary.
“Nevertheless,” Captain Niblack said, “we shall have our glasses on that damn place and the first sign of any trouble, I’ll be sending in the leathernecks.”
The landing party was met immediately by Colonel Enrique Marquez, Commandant of the prison. He was accompanied by a nervous looking lieutenant and two armed soldiers. K.Y. Beamis handled the introductions. Marquez seemed to be awed by Captain Earle, and paid scant attention to Seth and Commander Waring.
Captain Earle was brusque. “Colonel Marquez, Mr. Cane is with the United States Department of State. He has in his possession a direct order from President Huerta for the release of our countryman, Mr. Handsome Otho Comfort.”
For the first time, the Commandant looked seriously at Seth. “But of course, Senor Cane, I received a wire from El Presidente only last night informing me of your visit.”
“It is not exactly a visit, Commandant,” Seth said.
“I understand. Let me have the order, please.”
Seth handed him the blue envelope containing Huerta’s release order. Colonel Marquez offered Captain Earle an ingratiating smile, as he carefully slit the presidential seal with his thumb and withdrew the order. He scanned it quickly, and then read it again slowly, moving his lips. Finished, he folded it and put it in a pocket of his uniform tunic, and ignoring Seth, nodded to Captain Earle.
“Yes, all appears to be correct. If you and your party will follow me to my headquarters, we shall see what can be done.”
They trooped up the jetty into a tall arched entrance into the forbidding walls of the prison. Inside, the walk skirted the inner perimeter of the prison, leading toward a square structure at the end of the fortress prison topped by a tower. The Commandant identified it as the prison administration building. Every few feet along the walk was a manhole cover with an iron ring welded in the center for a handle. Captain Earle pointed to one of them and asked their purpose. Colonel Marquez, smiling with pride, directed one of the soldiers to lift the cover. Members of the U.S. party stepped forward to peer down into the hole, and recoiled in disgust from the vile stench that emerged.
“This is one of our little nests where we keep the most incorrigible of our prisoners who are traitors and murderers.” Motioning them closer, he pointed down into the hole. “Now this piece of garbage is the brother of one of Carranza’s generals. He has chosen not to cooperate in providing certain information he has in his possession. Have a close look, Senors”
They covered their noses with handkerchiefs, stepped to the edge and peered down the hole. Some twenty feet below they could barely make out a figure half standing, half crouching, because of the confined limits of the hole. Lit by a single ray of light from a small aperture in the sea side wall, emaciated and bearded, the person looked barely human. The poor creature stared blindly up at them, the whites of his eyes seeming to cast their own light. Beamis turned pale and walked off to one side retching.
“Beastly!” Captain Earle said, “How can you treat a human being like that?”
“When we get them, they have ceased to be human,” the Commandant said, looking contemptuously at the consular official returning to the group, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.
Seth, fighting to control his rising gorge, said, “Colonel Marquez, I hope for your sake, you have not provided similar accommodations for Mr. Comfort.”
Colonel Marquez ordered the soldier to replace the steel cover before he replied.
“The Prisoner Comfort is a special case under the orders of Major Dominguez. Shall we continue, gentlemen, to the administration building?”
Seth cast a worried look at the two naval officers. They were pale and tight lipped. Beamis had a sick expression, as they followed the Commandant and his men to the administration building. They passed a row of standard looking cell blocks. “For the trustees,” Colonel Marquez explained.
As they arrived at the tower, the Commandant pointed to the Mexican flag hung limp on the pole.
“In 1821, the last Spanish flag in Mexico was lowered from that pole in surrender to our glorious revolutionary army.” He then identified the arsenal and the guard barracks.
In the Commandant’s office they were offered a glass of wine. Captain Earle spoke for their party. “Colonel Marquez, the purpose of our being here does not permit conviviality. I suggest that it is essential you bring Mr. Comfort to us immediately.”
Seth thought Marquez’s demeanor was shifty when he replied. “I apologize, Captain Earle, but it will take some time before we can bring the prisoner here. You surely are aware that certain formalities are to be observed.”
“Formalities?” Captain Earle questioned.
“But of course. There is a necessary amount of processing and forms to fill out here that are connected with the release of any prisoner from San Juan de Ulua.”
“I vow that there haven’t been too many of those,” Beamis said dryly.
The Colonel affected not to have heard his remark and continued. “Then, of course, there is the matter of a physical examination by our medical staff to insure the prisoner is healthy enough to be released.”
Call Down The Hawk Page 29