"I will tell you first, Excellency," he said, "that I am still a guerillero, and have risen to the rank of lieutenant."
"All the better for you. But what are you doing here?"
"I am on an expedition."
"On an expedition, alone, in Mexico? What! Are you laughing at me, villain?"
"I swear, on the share I hope in Paradise, that I am telling you the strict truth, Excellency. Besides, I am not here alone; my captain accompanies me, and it was by his express orders I came."
"Ah, ah! And who is this captain?"
"Oh, you know him, Excellency,"
"That is probable. But he has a name, I suppose?"
"Certainly Excellency. He is don Melchior de la Cruz."
"I suspected it. Now I can guess all. You are ordered to spy doña Dolores de la Cruz, I suppose?"