While Francisco and the professor of medicine of Göttingen were preparing to spend the coming days as experimental subjects, the situation in Antioquia was changing.
By February, a letter from Spain had reached Carlos.
Inside his study, the atmosphere was heavy. The faces of the men gathered there were solemn—especially Krugger.
"You cannot go to Spain," Krugger said, still struggling to believe what he was hearing. "Right now you are practically a rebel. If you set foot on the coasts of Spain, the king will not hesitate to arrest you. You are one of his greatest threats in New Granada."
Carlos paced the room like a caged animal. He finished one tobacco roll and immediately lit another.
"But that is my father, Krugger," he replied sharply. "He is ill—and he may not live much longer."
He waved the letter impatiently.
