Don Fernando resumed, while he threw away his cigarette and occupied himself in rolling another:
"For my part, señor, I confess that, in spite of the lamentable clumsiness of the people you employ, I begin to be tired of serving as a target at moments when I least expect it."
"I can understand that; it must be very disagreeable."
"It is. Well, then, wishing to reconcile our mutual interests, and to put an end to it, once for all, I have racked my brains until I think I have hit on a method of arranging these matters to our mutual satisfaction."
"Well, let us hear this method; I know you to be a man of imagination, Don Fernando. It is doubtless ingenious."
"Oh, no; on the contrary, it is quite simple. Do you ever play?"
"So seldom, that it is hardly worth mentioning."
"Precisely the case with me. This is the proposal I have to make: it is evident you will not succeed in assassinating me."
"Do you think so, señor?" said Don Torribio, still smiling.
"I am sure of it, else you would have succeeded already."