"Man! who or what are you? You are quoting the Holy Scriptures to me. Do you then read Latin?"
"No, señor," said the muleteer humbly, casting his eyes down to the ground.
"No?"
"No, señor; in very truth. But--"
"Well? Go on!"
Juliano looked up again, a steady light in his eyes. "Will you promise, on the faith of a gentleman, not to betray me?" he asked.
"Most assuredly I will not betray you."
"I trust you, señor. I do not believe it would be possible for you to betray one who trusted you."
Carlos winced, and rather shrank from the muleteer's look of hearty, honest confidence.
"Though I cannot guess your reason for such precautions," he said, "I am willing, if you wish it, to swear secrecy upon the holy crucifix."