"That is the way not to be deceived."
"Or to be deceived the more easily."
"Perhaps so. Well, you see this abduction, so admirably planned, and the success of which was certain, has failed."
"I can only repeat what you yourself said to me just now."
"What is that?"
"Patience! But, pray, what are your present plans?" The General rose.
"Whilst you are carrying on against our enemies," he said, in a low, stern tone, "a guerilla warfare of ambuscades and treacheries, I, on my part, will wage an open war against them—a war in the face of the sun, but as merciless as yours. Their blood shall flow in streams over all the territories of the Republic. The Dark-Hearts have summoned me in ninety-three days. Well, I take up the gauntlet they have thrown to me."
"That is well!" the Linda replied. "And now let us so arrange our plans that they may not fail like their predecessors. We must come to an end with these miserable plotters, and in doing so, take a revenge that will make an impression on others."
"It shall be a vengeance! I will stake my head on the game. Oh," he added, "I hold them! I have found the means I sought to make them all fall into my hands; let them sleep for a while in deceitful security, but their awakening shall be terrible!"
And, having saluted the Linda with the greatest courtesy, the General retired.