"Did I not promise to join you today at Leona?"
"Ah, now I understand,"
"No, you do not, for I had not intended to start till this evening, so as to avoid the great heat, had not Diego López arrived this morning at sunrise like a madman at the hacienda, telling everybody who could hear it that General Cárdenas put you in prison yesterday, with orders that you should be hung today. I now see that this ass of a Diego has let himself be taken in by falsehoods spread through the town for some motive I am ignorant of, and I am delighted at it, for I should never have consoled myself had you died."
"Señor Conde," the Canadian replied, as he affectionately pressed the peon's hand, "Diego López was not deceived by false reports. All he told you was most strictly true."
"Ah!" the count exclaimed, with a start of passion, "That man must really be a wild beast."
"Morally, I am prepared to swear he is," the Canadian replied, with an air of conviction.
"It surpasses all belief. Never was such contempt of the law of nations known. But how is it that I now find you at liberty, and, apparently at least, without the slightest wound?"
"That is another story," the adventurer said, with a meaning smile, "and one which is somewhat interesting, I assure you, count."
"Who delivered you?"
"Myself."