When he ended his speech, all the audience applauded violently. Alzugaray was able to verify the fact that the majority of them had not understood what Cæsar was saying. “They didn’t understand anything. A few sparkling phrases would have pleased them much better.”
“Ah, of course. But that makes no difference,” replied Cæsar. “They will get used to it.”
The inauguration over, the bookseller, San Román, Dr. Ortigosa, Señor Camacho, who was the pharmacist that called himself an inventor of explosives, and some others, met in the office of the Club, and talked with great enthusiasm of the transformation that was obviously taking place at Castro.
XI. THE PITFALL OF SINIGAGLIA
A COMMISSION FOR THE MINISTER
A few days later, during Carnival, the Minister of the Treasury presented himself at Cæsar’s hotel. The famous financier was a trifle nervous.
“Come along with me,” he said.
“Come on.”
They got into a motor, and the Minister suddenly asked: