Part 39 (1/2)
”And what for?” he asked at last.
”Put all that you have of value in a secure place....”
”And what for?”
”Burn all papers written by you or to you. The most innocent can be interpreted in a bad sense.”
”But what for?”
”What for? Because I have just discovered a conspiracy which will be attributed to you in order to ruin you.”
”A conspiracy? And who has planned it?”
”I have been unable to learn the author of it. Only a moment ago I was talking with one of the unfortunate men who have been paid for it. I could not dissuade him.”
”And didn't that fellow say who paid him?”
”Yes. Asking me to keep the secret, he told me that it was you.”
”My G.o.d!” exclaimed Ibarra. He stood stupefied.
”Senor, don't hesitate, don't doubt, don't lose time, for undoubtedly the conspiracy will break out this very night.”
Ibarra, with staring eyes, and hands holding his head, seemed not to hear him.
”The blow cannot be thwarted,” continued Elias. ”I have arrived too late. I do not know their leaders ... save yourself, Senor, save yourself for the sake of your country.”
”Where shall I flee? They are expecting me this evening,” exclaimed Ibarra, thinking of Maria Clara.
”To any other town, to Manila, to the house of some official; only flee somewhere so that they will not say that you are directing the movement.”
”And if I myself denounce the conspiracy?”
”You denounce it?” exclaimed Elias, looking at him, and stepping back. ”You would pa.s.s for a traitor and a coward in the eyes of the conspirators, and for a pusillanimous person in the eyes of others. They would say that you had played a trick to win some praise, they would say....”
”But what can be done?”
”Already I have told you. Destroy all the papers you have which relate to you; flee and await developments.”
”And Maria Clara?” exclaimed the young man. ”No; death first!”
Elias wrung his hands and said:
”Well, then, at least avoid the blow. Prepare yourself against their accusations.”
Ibarra looked around him in a stupefied manner.