He was slow in appearing and long before he arrived scores of people were crowding around the doors and windows to see us and know our business.

When he arrived, we greeted him in a most friendly way and told him that we had come for the skulls.

He looked aghast.

"The skulls, what skulls, sir ?" "The skulls the _prefecto_ ordered you to dig for us." By this time, the crowd outside, which had increased with every minute, showed uneasiness.

The _presidente_ declared he knew nothing of any skulls.