"And who are these two privileged persons, if you please?"
"My foster brother Mariano, the tigrero, and José Paredes."
"Come, I see you know where to place your confidence. Those two men are entirely devoted to us, and this gives me trust in the future. Go on, my child; what must be done further?"
"These men must be provided with picks, spades, crowbars, and lanterns."
"I see you are thinking about digging."
"Possibly," she said, with a smile.
"Stories about buried treasure are thoroughly worn out in this country, my child," he said, with a dubious shake of his head; "all those that have been buried were dug up long ago."
"I can offer you no explanation, father. You are ignorant of my plan, and hence cannot argue upon a matter you do not know: moreover, you must make no remarks, and be the first to obey me," she said, with an exquisite smile. "You ought not to give an example of rebellion to my new subjects."
"That is perfectly true, my dear child; I am in the wrong, and offer you an ample apology. Be good enough to go on with your instructions."
"I have only a word to add, father. You and Ruiz must also provide yourselves with tools, for I expect you all four to work."