“It may be. But the one you sent is an impostor, at any rate. But we will settle that afterward. Will you do all that lays in your power to do?”
“I will!” emphatically replied the other.
“Well, it may be so, but I am a cautious man by nature, and experience has doubled it. If you will swear to tell the entire truth, to answer fully and explicitly all questions that may be asked you—if you swear this, I say, and kiss the holy cross, I will set you free. If—”
“If not?”
“Then I will raise the alarm, and you may do the best you can.”
“Enough, I will swear it,” hastily said Canelo.
The crucifix was produced, and the required oath taken, when Tadeo said:
“Now you remain here while I go and reconnoiter. If all is right we will be free in half an hour. But blow out the light, as it might be seen as I open the door.”
“You will come back?” faltered Canelo.
“If I meant to betray you or do you harm, would I have taken all this trouble?” returned Campos, impatiently.