“Would it not be better, señor, to leave the lady out of our conversation?” the caballero asked.
“Perhaps; there are weightier things to be discussed. It seems, dear Claudio, that your presence here displeases those of the mission. They tell me you made certain ill-timed boasts concerning a young lady and her fortune, and the lady mentions you went as far as to speak to her of love.”
“Enough, señor! We are not discussing a lady here.”
“Let us talk, then, of yourself, Captain Fly-by-Night. Do you take me for an imbecile? Do you not fear, playing both hands as you do? Do you not dread a day of reckoning? Can it be possible you do not observe that you are caught in a trap? But enough of that! It is your own affair.”
“Exactly, señor.”
“Even now, I presume, they are watching from the mission buildings to see how I face you. It is expected that I’ll run you away, señor, or run you through.”
“Either will be difficult, I fear.”
“Yet I have my position to maintain, señor, and must attempt one or the other. It would suit me better to have you out of the way. If I can accomplish that myself, I may gain in the estimation of those at the mission. If I fail, there are friends of mine——”
“Why waste language, señor?” the caballero wanted to know.
“Will you pack up and leave, then? Will you go back up El Camino Real and attend to your own affairs?”