"In what way, if you please, señor?" said the other in a sneering tone.
"I am going to put you in possession of a few facts, which will put us on a level with each other."
"Let us hear them, caballero; I am all attention."
"In the first place," said Don Torribio firmly, "before we go any farther, let me give you a piece of advice."
"Advice is always useful: if yours is good, I shall profit by it; of that be certain."
"You will be right. I am unaware whether you know me, but be sure of this: I am not easily frightened; and if, for some unknown reason, you have led me into an ambush, I warn you that, at the first suspicious movement you make, I will blow your brains out; for I neither know you, nor what your intentions are."
"Good! You are a man after my own heart, I see clearly we shall come to an understanding."
"Perhaps so. But as it is not I who have come to seek you out,—as I have not claimed your aid in any way,—I demand, in the first place, that you give me a clear explanation, without prevarication or circumlocution."
The stranger shrugged his shoulders.
"Is it not enough for you to know that I am in a position to serve you effectually in the plans of vengeance you meditate?"