"We have," answered Mataseis, in his own name and that of his brother.
"Here is the matter, then; for motives, which I need not tell you, I wish to seize two persons who, having set out a few days since, are to meet, in company with several others, at about twenty leagues from the spot where we are, the rendezvous having been arranged beforehand."
"Good! That can be done!"
"But it is more difficult than you suppose. Unhappily, it is impossible for me to employ the men of my own squadron; they are too well known, and the secret would immediately transpire."
"Who are these two persons?"
"The first is a Frenchman."
"Don Emile!" cried the gaucho.
"You have not guessed it; on the contrary, I believe that this Frenchman is the mortal enemy of Don Emile."
"So much the better!" answered Mataseis with affectation; "I should have been much annoyed at being his enemy."
"He is such a good young man!" said Sacatripas, like an echo.