“Well, effects—so as not to cause scandal, you understand. You can already imagine that.”
“A policeman in order to give some one a fright,” murmured Vicente. He blew his nose noisily, and with a sudden change of countenance said, “It is nothing relating to politics?”
“No!” returned Sebastião, with emphasis.
The commissary wrapped the blanket more closely about his feet, and raised his eyes with a suspicious glance.
“It does not concern any person of respectability?”
“Nonsense, man!” returned Sebastião.
“A policeman, in order to give some one a fright,” ruminated Vicente. “You are a man of honor; hand me the portfolio that is on the chest of drawers there.”
He took from it a sheet of ruled paper, and reflected a moment, with his hand to his head.
“Mendez—would Mendez do?” he asked. Sebastião, who did not know who Mendez was, responded,—
“Yes, any one you choose. It is only that he may be seen.”