"Ask it."
"Of course, if this question appears to you indiscreet, you are at perfect liberty not to answer it."
"It would surprise me, on the part of so accomplished a Caballero. Hence, be kind enough to explain yourself."
"My name is Don Miguel Ortega."
"And mine, Don Stefano Cohecho."
The Captain bowed.
"Will you allow me, in my turn," the stranger said, "to ask you a question?"
"I beg you to do so."
"Why this exchange of names?"
"Because, on the prairie it is good to be able to distinguish friends from foes."