young girl, "an epidemic which is sweeping the Andes just now. The news from Boloisa is worrying me, too. Things are bad round Lake Titicaca."
"Not really! That's a nuisance ... not a cheerful outlook for my business in the Cuzco." Dick was evidently put out by the news.
"I had not intended telling you about it until to-morrow. You must not think of unpleasant things to-day ... all that district is in the hands of Garcia's men now."
"Who is Garcia?"
"Oh, one of my old suitors."
"Has everybody in the country been in love with you, Maria-Teresa?"
"Well, I had the attraction of having been brought up abroad ... at the first presidential ball I went to after mother's death there was no getting rid of them.... Garcia was there. And now he has raised the revolt among the Arequipa and Cuzco Indians.... He wants Vointemilla's place as president."
"I suppose they have sent troops against them?"
"Oh, yes, the two armies are out there ... but, of course, they are not fighting."
"Why?"
"Because of the festival of the Interaymi."
"And what on earth is that?"
