How dared they treat an American so, no matter what the
charge? Why didn't they try him or give him a hearing? These
insolent, overbearing Panamaniacs had no regard for law or
humanity, and this was no longer a question of petty injustice; it
was a grave infraction of civilized equity.
But the afternoon wore on without an encouraging sign, till Kirk
began to think that Weeks had refused to intercede for him and
intended to leave him to the mercies of his enemies. With
difficulty he managed to convey to a guard his desire to notify
some of the other Americans in the city, but as usual no heed was
paid to his request.
It was considerably after dark when a visitor was at last
admitted. He proved to be the English consul, whom Anthony had
never met.
"What are you doing here?" the new-comer inquired. Then, when the
facts had been laid before him, he exclaimed: "Why, I heard that a
Jamaican negro had been arrested, but I heard nothing about
mistreatment of a white man."
"Doesn't anybody know I'm here?"
"I'm sure no one does. Those heathens lied to you--they never
communicated with Weeks or anybody. They're afraid. This is an old
trick of theirs--man-handling a prisoner, then keeping him hidden
until he recovers.
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