"'I?' Salado said, with a start of terror."
"'Yourself.'"
"'But how can I be of service to you?'"
"'I will tell you. I know that you are highly respected at the convent of the Bernardines—in the first place as a pulquero; and, secondly, as hombre de bien y religioso.'"
"'Oh! oh! to a certain extent,' the pulquero answered, evasively."
"'No false modesty. I know you have the power to get the gates of that house opened when you please; it is for that reason I invite you to accompany us.'"
"'¡Maria Purísima! What are you thinking of, Caballero' the poor fellow exclaimed, with terror."
"'No remarks! Make haste! or, by Nuestra señora del Carmen, I will burn your rookery.'"
"'A hollow groan issued from Salado's chest; but, after taking one despairing glance at the black masks that surrounded him, he prepared to obey. From the pulquería to the convent was only a few paces—they were soon passed, and Don Torribio turned to his prisoner, who was more dead than alive."
"'There, compadre,' he said, distinctly, 'we have arrived. It is now your place to get the door opened for us.'"