"Yes, sir," replied Don Tadeo, with imperturbable coolness, "we have been fortunate enough to obtain possession of his person."
"You are, doubtless, going to bring this man to trial?" Don Ramón asked, in a somewhat familiar tone.
"Within forty-eight hours, sir."
"That is right, sir. It is thus that justice should be dealt to these shameless agitators, who, in contempt of the sacred laws of humanity, seek to plunge our beautiful country into the gulf of revolutions."
"Sir!"
"Pardon me for speaking thus," said Don Ramón, with well-feigned enthusiasm; "I feel that my freedom goes rather far, but my indignation carries me away, sir; it is quite time that these makers of widows and orphans should receive the exemplary chastisement they merit. I cannot think, without trembling, of the manifold evils that would have fallen upon us, if this miserable adventurer had succeeded."
"Sir, this man is not yet condemned."
"And that is exactly what brings me to you, sir. As a senator, and a devoted patriot, I claim of you the right which belongs to me, of presiding over the commission whose duty it is to sit in judgment upon him."
"Your request is granted, sir," Don Tadeo replied, who was unable to repress a smile of contempt.
"Thank you, sir!" said the senator, with an expression of joy; "however painful the duty may be, I shall know how to perform it."