“Ah! His name?”

“He travels incognito with a pass signed by his excellency, I believe.”

“Then—?” There was a puzzled expression on Gonzales’ face.

“I travel in such manner myself.”

“Still, I do not see——”

“It is not for me to criticise his excellency, yet I may say that on a busy day he might issue a pass by mistake, or without having proper investigation.”

“Can you not speak to me as man to man, señor?”

“I regret that I have no information that may be given you. And I must be on my way. Here is a piece of gold——”

“Not from you, señor.”

“Perhaps you are making a mistake. Perhaps you think me a man I am not. I have given you no reason to believe——”