"Now that we are alone," said Don Pedro, "you can speak openly to me."
"I intend to do so," said the chief in harsh accents.
"Are you come to speak of my daughter?"
"Of her and others," replied the Tigercat in the same tone.
"All this is a mystery, chief; explain!"
"It will not be long before I do so; for I have longed, panted for the opportunity to meet you face to face. Look at me well, Don Pedro; do you not recognise me?"
"I believe I never saw you before you received me as a guest in the teocali."
The chief laughed savagely. "Have years changed me so much? Has the name of Tigercat obliterated my own so thoroughly that that too is forgotten? As Don Guzman de Ribera became Don Pedro de Luna, why should not Don Leoncio de Ribera become the Tigercat, brother?"
"What words are these?" exclaimed Don Pedro, rising in terror. "What name have you uttered?"
"I have said that which is," coldly answered the chief. "The name I utter is mine."