"I thought I was doing you a service."
"You wished to be a spy on us."
"I!"
"Of course. Do you take us for fools like yourself, you wretch? But you shall remember this visit. The orejada" he added, turning to the two bandits, who had remained by the landlord's side.
"One moment," the captain said.
Saccaplata, fancying he should escape with the fright, grimaced a smile.
"I will tell you," the captain continued, "why you came to us. You want to revenge yourself on Colonel Guerrero, who a few hours back inflicted on you a well-merited correction."
"But—" the landlord ventured.
"Silence! Do not attempt to deny it. I was there. I saw what occurred. As you are too great a coward to dare to avenge yourself, you thought of us, supposing that we should not refuse to render you that slight service. What do you say—is that the truth?"
"Hum! I would not venture to contradict your excellency," the landlord said, now beginning to regret having entered this wasp's nest.