“The boat is not here. I’ll send to other sections for aid.”
“They would notice that and would not go on with their plans. No, don’t do that. What is important is that we catch them alive and make them talk; I say, you will make them disclose the conspiracy. I, in the capacity of a priest, ought not to mix myself in these matters. Now’s your chance! Here you can win crosses and stars. I ask only that you make it evident that I am the one who warned you.”
“It will be made evident, Father, it will be made evident! And perhaps a mitre will fall to you!” replied the radiant alferez.
“Be sure and send me four un-uniformed Civil Guards, eh? Be discreet! To-night at eight o’clock, it will rain stars and crosses.”
While this was going on, a man came running down the road which led to Ibarra’s house, and quickly went up the stairs.
“Is the Señor at home?” asked Elias of the servant.
“He is in his laboratory at work.”
Ibarra, in order to pass the time while he impatiently waited for the hour when he could make explanations to Maria Clara, had gone to work in his cabinet.
“Ah, is it you, Elias?” he exclaimed. “I was thinking about you. Yesterday, I forgot to ask you for the name of that Spaniard in whose house your grandfather lived.”
“Don’t bother yourself, Señor, about me....”