The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
251
It was a dismissal. The men rose. Hagen accompanied Clemenza and Tessio to their 
cars and arranged meetings with them to thrash out the operational details that would 
accomplish the stated desires of their Don. Then he went back into the house where he 
knew Don Conrleone world be waiting for him. 
The Don had taken off his jacket and tie and was lying down on the couch. His stern 
face was relaxed into lines of fatigue. He waved Hagen into a chair and said, “Well, 
Consigliere, do you disapprove of any of my deeds today?” 
Hagen took his time answering. “No,” he said. “But I don’t find it consistent, nor true to 
your nature. You say you don’t want to find out how Santino was killed or want 
vengeance for it. I don’t believe that. You gave your word for peace and so you’ll keep 
the peace but I can’t believe you will give your enemies the victory they seem to have 
won today. You’ve constructed a magnificent riddle that I can’t solve, so how can I 
approve or disapprove?” 
A look of content came over the Don’s face. “Well, you know me better than anyone 
else. Even though you’re not a Sicilian, I made you one. Everything you say is true, but 
there’s a solution and you’ll comprehend it before it spins out to the end. You agree 
everyone has to take my word and I’ll keep my word. And I want my orders obeyed 
exactly. But, Tom, the most important thing is we have to get Michael home as soon as 
possible. Make that first in your mind and in your work. Explore all the legal alleys, I 
don’t care how much money you have to spend. It has to be foolproof when he comes 
home. Consult the best lawyers on criminal law. I’ll give you the names of some judges 
who will give you a private audience. Until that time we have to guard against all 
treacheries.” 
Hagen said, “Like you, I’m not worried so much about the real evidence as the evidence 
they will manufacture. Also some police friend may kill Michael after he’s arrested. They 
may kill him in his cell or have one of the prisoners do it. As I see it, we can’t even afford 
to have him arrested or accused.” 
Don Corleone sighed. “I know, I know. That’s the difficulty. But we can’t take too long. 
There are troubles in Sicily. The young fellows over there don’t listen to their elders 
anymore and a lot of the men deported from America are just too much for the 
old-fashioned Dons to handle. Michael could get caught in between. I’ve taken some 
precautions against that and he’s still got a good cover but that cover won’t last forever. 
That’s one of the reasons I had to make the peace. Barzini has friends in Sicily and they 

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