“No, I think it was more a case of principle. Juarez was antimilitary. After the defeat of Maximilian he dismissed two-thirds of his army, as Morgan can attest. But after that, Díaz was no longer in Juarez’s camp. He resigned his commission and retired to La Noria, a hacienda in Oaxaca that the grateful state awarded him in 1867. And from there, he began plotting to overthrow Juarez. His attempts to be elected president failed, as Juarez narrowly won against Díaz and Lerdo in ’71. Then Díaz claimed that the election was fraudulent, and demanded the overthrow of Juarez.

“That revolt failed, and when Juarez died in 1872, Lerdo, as chief justice of the supreme court, succeeded him as president. Since Lerdo has been so unpopular, it was easier for Díaz to revolt this past January. It seems that he will succeed this time.”

Frowning, Tige, a beefy man with close-set eyes and a good-natured face, shook his head. “What is the United States’ position on this? Do we want Lerdo or Díaz?”

“Either one can be manipulated, or bought, into acceding to our interests, but Lerdo has been particularly generous with his concessions. What we must do, gentlemen, is ascertain that Díaz is just as amenable should he succeed in his coup—and we must be ready.”

Steve leaned forward, crushed his cigar into the glass ashtray. “And that is where I come in as ambassador, I presume. I’m to humor the victor.”

“Not necessarily.” Bishop’s smile was thin. “There are, shall we say, certain factions that have invested heavily in Lerdo. Díaz is an unknown quantity to some of these men. He could destroy them if he chooses. Some of these investors are powerful. Lust for wealth and domination is a dangerous motivation. Unscrupulous men are capable of endangering the peace efforts and negotiations underway, and at this time, we do not want to risk another war between Mexico and the United States. I’m certain we all agree on that, gentlemen. It is even more risky when the diverse actions of some are sanctioned by the law of a foreign power that lies so close to our borders. The threat of losing land and wealth can make men act—precipitately.”

“You mean, they’ll fight to save their holdings before Díaz takes them away.” Butch Casey, the Texan that Steve had met years before in California, leaned forward, elbows on the table and his fingers forming a steeple under his bearded chin. “If Lerdo is ousted, the lands he sold could be reclaimed. If Americans fight back, we’ve got a war on our hands with Mexico.”