Part 2 (1/2)
”It's asha e”
The Filipino nodded ”It has a certain flavor Allow me to introduce myself I am Colonel Felix Rojas of the Philippine constabulary”
Rick took his first good look at the Filipino and i and lean fitness of the professional soldier He introduced hito dine with the esteeht, eh? Welco theht, he turned ”Surprised? Don't be We are interested in strangers until their intentions are known Yours are above reproach”
His smile faded ”However, you ” He spoke briefly a phrase that seemed to be mostly vowels
”What does it mean?” Scotty asked
The colonel's eyes searched theirs ”What good is hay to a dead horse,”
he said and walked away
The boys stared at each other
”A very good question,” Rick said at last The colonel had vanished into the Manila Hotel ”Scotty, what good is hay to a dead horse?”
”The deceased equine has little use for hay,” Scotty said ”Obviously
Was that a warning?”
”I don't knohat it was,” Rick said The phrase could have been a warning, but of what? And how had the colonel knohere they were dining? He put the question aloud
Scotty shrugged ”Doesn't the constabulary come under the Department of the Interior? Maybe Lazada told hih rank in the constabulary; he could even be the co and distinguished history It was sianization It was, Rick thought, so like a cross between the Aood state police force
”I' I' for inforood is hay to a dead horse Come on Let's start for Lazada's”
The way led across busy Taft Avenue, nae which spanned the Pasig River, and past Malaccan Palace The palace was the equivalent of our White House In its time Spanish, American, and japanese conquerors of the Philippines had lived there Now it housed the president of the Republic of the Philippines
It was very dark by the tihted area and entered an area of old Spanish houses The Pasig River was very close They could smell the water hyacinth which floated endlessly down to the sea
The air was heavy with unshed rain The boys had long since shed their jackets and were carrying the even the sound of their leather soles on the cobbles
They passed a solitary street light and Rick read the sign They were on the right track The hotel clerk's directions, obtained before they ate, had been very good
”Almost there,” Rick whispered, then wondered why he hadn't spoken aloud
Apparently Scotty was feeling the same physical oppression because he didn't comment on the whisper
The houses were two-story, old Spanish style, with hts showed Such houses presented only blank faces to the street The life inside them found its open air in secluded patios in the rear
”Weclose,” Scotty said His voice was very low
Rick unsnapped his key ring It had a pencil flashlight attached He shot the light over the house fronts, searching for a number A creaht into protecting darkness
”Two more numbers,” Rick said ”Must be the house after the next one”