But the happy young man was already far away from the little group and he did not reply. He had gone to finish the game of chess.
After making the present to his betrothed, Ibarra was so happy that he began to play without stopping to think or even examining carefully the position of the chess. As a result, although Captain Basilio had defended himself only by the greatest effort, the young man made so many mistakes that the game resulted in a draw.
“We end the suit, we end the suit!” said Captain Basilio, happy over his success.
“Yes, we declare it off,” repeated the young man, “whatever decision the judges may have been able to reach.”
Each grasped the hand of the other and shook it with effusion.
In the meantime, while those present were celebrating the ending of the law-suit, of which both had long been tired, four Civil Guards and a sergeant suddenly arrived on the scene. They were all armed and had their bayonets fixed, a fact which naturally disturbed the merriment and brought fright into the circle of women.
“Let everybody be quiet!” cried the sergeant. “Whoever moves will be shot!”
In spite of this gruff boast, Ibarra rose to his feet and approached the sergeant.
“What do you wish?” he asked.
“That you give up at once the criminal named Elias who acted as pilot for your party this morning,” he replied, in a threatening tone.