Сердца трех / Hearts of three. Уровень 3

”

“It was her father, old Enrico[27 - Enrico – Энрико] himself,” Henry exclaimed. “And the other men were her brothers.”

“Henry, they all thought it was you, and not I. But why did they want to kill you?”

Henry looked at him a moment, and then answered.

“I quarreled with her uncle. He was her father’s youngest brother.”

“Was?” interrupted Francis.

“Yes,” Henry nodded. “His name was Alfaro Solano[28 - Alfaro Solano – Альфаро Солано], and one day we quarreled.

It was in the little town over there San Antonio[29 - San Antonio – Сан-Антонио]. He didn’t want me to marry Leoncia, you see. He insulted me, and we promised to kill each other. Many people heard our threats. Within two hours the Comisario[30 - the Comisario – комиссар] himself and two gendarmes found Alfaro’s body in the town. He was killed. Alfaro was very popular, and everybody is sure that I killed him. In Bocas del Toro, a messenger from Leoncia delivered back the engagement ring. I could not go back, so I came over here to dig for Morgan’s treasure… I wonder who killed Alfaro. If want to find him! And then there’ll be a wedding.”

“Hmm,” Francis murmured. “That’s why her father and brothers wanted to kill me. When I look at you, I see we’re alike, except for my mustache.”

“And for this…” Henry rolled up his sleeve, and on the left forearm showed a long, thin white scar. “I got that when I was a boy. I fell oft a windmill.

”

“Now listen to me,” Francis said. “I’ll help you. Stay here, and I’ll go back and explain Leoncia and her family everything.”

“They can shoot you first before that, if you have no time to explain that you are not I,” Henry muttered bitterly. “Those Solanos shoot first and talk afterward.”

“I’ll try, old man,” Francis wanted to help Henry.

But the thought of her perplexed him. That lovely girl belonged to the man who looked so much like him! He sighed involuntarily.

“Leoncia is a very pretty girl,” Francis said. “Where’s that ring she returned? If I don’t put it on her finger for you and be back here in a week with the good news, you can cut off my mustache along with my ears.”

An hour later, Captain sent a boat to the beach from the Angelique. The two young men said good-bye.

“Listen, Francis. First, Leoncia is not a Solano at all, though she thinks she is. Alfaro told me himself.