“I come on secret business,” replied the other, in a lower tone.
“Ha! About ——”
“Exactly. About Marti.”
“Speak, then. You will not be overheard. What do you know?”
“First, your Excellency, let us understand the situation. There is a large reward for this man, is there not?”
“There is. Capture him and the money is yours. Ah, I see! You wish to turn state’s evidence. So much the better. You shall be protected.”
“But suppose I had been associated with the worst of these men? Suppose I had committed crimes? Suppose I had been a leader?”
“Even in that case you shall be protected.”
“Give me your word, as an officer and a gentleman, that, no matter what my offences have been, I shall have an official pardon when I put you on the track of the outlaws.”
“You must earn the pardon. If you know the haunts of the smugglers we shall expect you to pilot us to every one of them.”