As they rose the high official whispered to the General, "Your
Excellency, the daughter of Cabesang Tales has been here again begging
for the release of her sick grandfather, who was arrested in place
of her father."

His Excellency looked at him with an expression of impatience and
rubbed his hand across his broad forehead. "_Carambas_! Can't one be
left to eat his breakfast in peace?"

"This is the third day she has come. She's a poor girl--"

"Oh, the devil!" exclaimed Padre Camorra. "I've just thought of it. I
have something to say to the General about that--that's what I came
over for--to support that girl's petition."

The General scratched the back of his ear and said, "Oh, go along! Have
the secretary make out an order to the lieutenant of the Civil Guard
for the old man's release. They sha'n't say that we're not clement
and merciful."

He looked at Ben-Zayb. The journalist winked.





CHAPTER XII

PLACIDO PENITENTE