"I will answer you, señor, when I have seen the paper."
"Nothing easier. Here it is," the guerillero said, drawing a large envelope from his dolman, and presenting it to don Antonio.
The latter seized it with a movement of joy, and broke the seal with a febrile hand.
"You will have a difficulty in reading at this moment," the colonel said, with a knowing look.
"Do you think so?" don Antonio asked, ironically.
"Haugh! It is very dark, it strikes me."
"That is of no consequence. I will soon have a light:" and rubbing a lucifer match on a stone, he lit a rolled up taper, which he drew from his pocket.
As he read, a lively satisfaction was legible on his face. At length he put out the taper, folded up the paper, which he carefully secured in his pocketbook, and then addressed the colonel.
"Señor, you will thank General Ortega from me. He has behaved toward me like a perfect caballero."
The guerillero bowed. "I will not fail, señor," he answered; "especially if you have some information to add to that which you have already given us."