"And now, this is what you have to do."
"I am all attention."
"I must leave this place immediately; my presence is required elsewhere. As for you, you will have Don Fernando carried to the presidio, without his learning who has taken him thither."
"To the presidio?" exclaimed Pablito, astonished.
"Yes; it is the safest place," said the chief, drawing forth a paper cut to a certain shape; "you will take him to my house. He must not leave it on any pretence: above all, he must not know he is at the presidio."
"Is that all?"
"It is. Only, remember, you are answerable to me for him."
"Very well. At your orders I will produce him, alive or dead."
"Alive! His life is precious to me."
"Then I will do my best."