"Is there no one here?" the officer asked, as he stopped in the doorway with very excusable hesitation.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" the Jaguar answered, disguising his voice.
"That is a curious question," the officer continued, as he stepped forward with his hand on his sabre hilt; "first have this room lighted up, which looks like a cut-throat's den, and then we will talk."
"It is not necessary for what we have to say to each other, you can leave your sabre at rest; although this house is dark, it is no cut-throat den, as you seem to believe."
"What has become of General Rubio and the officers who accompanied him?"
"Am I their keeper, Colonel Melendez?" the Jaguar asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Who are you, who appear to know me and answer so strangely?"
"Perhaps a friend, vexed at seeing you here, and who would be glad were you elsewhere."
"A friend would not hide himself as you are doing."
"Why not, if circumstances compel him?"