"What is to be done?"
"Leave me to act: I went to the rancho this morning with the intention of telling you that one of your enemies, the most formidable of all, was dead: you took care to make me a liar. After all, perhaps it is better it should be so: what God does is well, His ways are unknown to us, we must bow before the manifestation of His will."
"Then, it is your intention—?"
"My intention is to order López to watch over your patient: he will remain in the cavern where he will be taken the greatest care of, but you will not see him again, as it is unnecessary for you to know any more about him at present: in my turn, I pledge you my word that all the attention his condition demands shall be bestowed on him."
"Oh, I trust entirely to you, Master Oliver: but when he's cured, what shall we do?"
"We will let him go away in peace, he is not our prisoner: be at ease, we shall find him again without difficulty when we want him: of course it is understood that no one in the rancho is to go down to him or have any relations with him."
"Good: in that case you will tell them so, for I cannot undertake it."
"I will do so: but I shall not see him either; López alone will remain in charge of him."
"Have you nothing more to say to me?"
"Yes, that I intend to take you away with me for a few days."