"I told him so, excellency."
"And he insisted?"
"Several times, excellency."
"Well, do you know his name, at least?"
"When I asked the caballero for it, he said it was useless, as you would not know it; but if you wished to learn it, he would himself tell it to your excellency."
"What a strange person," the general muttered to himself; "very good," he then added aloud, "lead the gentleman to the small mirror room, and I will be with him immediately."
The footman bowed respectfully.
"Who can the man be, and what is the important matter he has to tell me?" the general muttered, as he was alone. "Hum, probably some poor devil mixed up in our conspiracy, who wants a little money. Well, he had better be careful, for I am not the man to be plundered with impunity, and so he will find out, if his communication is not serious."
And, throwing on to a chair the plumed hat he held in his hand, he proceeded to the mirror room.
[1] See "Goldseekers." Same publishers.