“The devil he does!” ejaculated the secretary. “Then hang him up at once for a spy! what further proof is required of his being so? Depend on it, he is El Ratonero, and not the person he represents himself to be.”
“Un moment,” said the governor, taking him aside, and whispering for some time in his ear, by which, however, whatever it may have been, the secretary did not appear at all convinced.
“I am not surprised, Señor,” said I, addressing Monsieur Leboucher as soon as their consultation appeared to flag, “I am not surprised at your continuing in the mistake of supposing me to be El Ratonero. It requires less clear-sightedness than I am sure you possess, to discover a likeness, which (in spite of all my endeavours to conceal it) has frequently been observed. But I here solemnly swear, por Dios y todos los Santos, (and I crossed myself most devoutly) that Blas Maldonado has been through life my greatest enemy.” Was not that true, Caballeros?
“To put all your doubts at rest, however,” I continued, “bring forth this other—this Beltran, for well I know who your informer is. As regards me, have no scruples; for, as I have said before, I am no secret informer, but an open and faithful friend of the brave nation that has come to release my country from her fetters. As it affects the matter I have come about, however, our meeting will render abortive the whole plan I was about to propose to you. He will at once see that his machinations are discovered, and you will have to hang him—a poor devil that never has and never can do you any harm;—whereas, by his absence from his confederates at El Burgo, they will be aware that their project to entrap you has miscarried, and you will consequently miss the glorious opportunity of taking them in their own toils.”
“Nay,” said the governor, “I think, since you say that you left Blas at Grazalema this night, our plan has already succeeded without your assistance. By to-morrow night the pass in his rear will be occupied by a body of troops moved up from Cadiz; and our arrangements are made to give him a warm reception, should he attempt to escape on this side.”
“And now, Señor,” added the secretary, “since his excellency has thought fit to make you acquainted with so much of our plans, I believe you must remain our prisoner, until they have been fully carried into execution.”
“That will be as his excellency pleases,” I replied. “But I have yet a communication to make that may induce you to view the matter differently. Blas Maldonado left Grazalema this night; he sleeps at Gaucin, and from thence, in conjunction with the band of this very Beltran, is to attack your fortress as soon as ever you have been induced to move upon Grazalema, and thus....”
An orderly here entered the room, and delivered a packet to the governor. It was short, and seemed to confound him. He handed it to his secretary without a word of comment, who also seemed perplexed.
After another whispered consultation, the governor turned to me and said, “Your information is correct—Blas is now at Gaucin. Leboucher, reseal that letter, and carry it to the worthy Señor Beltran, and ask him if it contains any thing to be communicated to me. Say we have imprisoned Jacobo as he recommended.”
In a few minutes the secretary returned, and stated that Beltran, having perused the letter, was desirous of departing immediately, as he feared something had gone wrong—that Jacobo (meaning me) must on no account be lost sight of.