The marquis allowed his head to fall on his breast, and remained silent for some moments.
"But," pursued he, "this moral certainty is founded on certain indications?"
"Oh, indications do not fail, my lord. Unhappily, these circumstances would appear very frivolous, if I revealed them to persons who were not forewarned; that is why I have abstained from saying anything to you before you asked me."
"Perhaps you are right, but now the situation is changed; it is I who, of my own accord, have asked this interview with you. The situation in which we are is critical; it may become more so."
"Come what may, I know I am doing my duty, and that is sufficient for me, even if Malco should come to affirm to your lordship that I have not spoken the truth about him."
"You have nothing to fear about señor Malco."
"Violent and wicked as he is, your lordship," answered the captain, with some animation, "I do not fear him, and he knows that well. This is not the first time we have fallen out."
"I did attach to my words the meaning you give to them; you have nothing to fear from Diaz, for the simple reason that he is no longer in my service."
"What! Your lordship," cried the Indian, with astonishment, "you have dismissed him?"
"No, it is he himself, of his own accord, who has left us to ourselves."