"Fernandez?" I heard him mutter, as if he were thunderstruck.
His companions also seemed taken aback.
"Ah, my dear Hermaños," said the President genially, "and so we meet again. Gentlemen, I am delighted to find you here to welcome me."
"We've been tricked," cried Hermaños hoarsely. Then fixing his eyes on me, he continued, "So you've turned traitor, after all, señor? I congratulate you on the facility with which you change sides."
"Pardon me," interposed the President, "but I cannot permit you to insult my friend. I owe more to Señor Trevelyan than I can say, and when you have heard the story I have to tell, I fancy you, and Equinata with you, will regard his behaviour in the light that I do. But before we say anything about that, let us endeavour to come to an understanding of our relative positions."
He paused for a moment to allow his audience to appreciate his words.
Then he went on—
"I cannot forget that you, Hermaños, are one of the gentlemen to whom I owe my abduction. The complicity of your companions I have yet to discover. Now for such an offence what is the punishment to be? My only desire is to be just."
I felt really sorry for Hermaños at that moment. He was familiar with the form that Fernandez' justice usually took.
"Come, come, my friend, why do you not answer me?" said the President banteringly. "You know how Silvestre would have acted under similar circumstances. What am I to do? Shall I call in the guard, have you arrested, and shot at sunrise, or shall I let you go free? You know my reputation, I think, and surely even a President should live up to that?"