"Could you succeed in obtaining that?"
"I will obtain more, if necessary; I will make him give me a letter, in which he shall not only abandon don Antonio Cacerbar, as he chooses to call himself, but also authorize you to try him."
"Oh, oh! That seems a rather bold statement, don Jaime," the President remarked, dubiously.
"That is my business, General; the main point is, that you shall not be in any way compromised, and remain neutral."
"That is my only desire, and you understand the serious reasons for it?"
"I understand them, General, and pledge you my word that your name shall not be even mentioned."
"In my turn, I pledge you my word as a soldier that if you succeed in obtaining this letter, the villain shall be shot in the back in the centre of the Plaza Mayor, even though I had only an hour's authority left me."
"I hold your pledge, General; besides, I have the blank signature you were kind enough to give me; I will myself arrest the villain when the moment arrives."
"Have you nothing more to say to me?"
"Pardon me, General, I have still a request to make."