Tovar crushed out the cigarette in the ash tray. He couldn’t stand having anyone take him for naive.

“Because you’ve been singled out as the principal instigator of the rebellious movement among the Indians.”

Fernando smiled with a touch of mockery.

“Yes, I heard about that. But I’d like to know your opinion, señor licenciado.”

“I’m going to do something for you that I don’t generally do, ingeniero. When all is said and done, we are colleagues, professional men, I mean. I won’t charge you a fee, which is what I’m usually given for my opinions. Listen to me carefully because I speak to you as an impartial observer: you are in a difficult situation. I recommend that you place yourself in the hands of a capable defense lawyer.”

“I had thought you would be that defense lawyer.”

“Thank you for the compliment, but I cannot take on your case.”

“It isn’t my case, it’s the case of the women who are in prison, their families, and all the towns in Chamula on which suspicion is now falling and reprisals will soon descend.”

“I’ll keep your secret and ask you for nothing in return for that, either. But I warn you, it isn’t prudent for you to display your relations with those people, the interest you take in them or your concern to help them. I can understand the altruism of your motives. But others will see it as proof that you are inciting the Indians to an insurrection.”

“But how could I have done that? I don’t even speak Tzotzil.”

“There are many ways. Your post, your mission, lend themselves to being taken advantage of.”

“I’ve confined myself to the strict fulfillment of my duty.”

“Have you?”

Tovar’s reluctance to admit the truth of his words gave Ulloa his first glimpse of the extent to which his situation was adverse. Now he was sure the ranchers would stop at nothing to succeed in implicating him in the crime or, at least, in having him dismissed from his job.

“I need someone who is well versed in the law to defend me.

I’m counting on you.”

Tovar made an ambiguous gesture.

“I would be delighted to be of service, but. . . .”

Suddenly, the excuse the lawyer was going to proffer seemed unnecessary. There are men who deserve the truth, he thought, looking pityingly at Ulloa.

“Taking on the responsibility for your case would be a betrayal.”

“Of whom?”

“Of my colleagues. We have a gentlemen’s agreement not to intervene in this trial.”

“And to allow that an injustice be carried out on innocent people. If I may say so, you and your colleagues have some very dubious professional ethics.”