The Indian maid who answered his knock, took his message into the living room wiiere sat the disconsolate Enrico Solano among his sons disconsolate at the report Bicardo had brought in of the loss of Leoncia in the Maya Mountain. The Indian maid returned to the door. The Senor Solano was indisposed and would see nobody, was her report, humbly delivered, even though the recipient was a Chinese.
"Huh!" observed Yi Poon, with braggart confidence for the purpose of awing the maid to carrying a second message. "I am no coolie. I am smart Chinaman. I go to school plenty much. I speak Spanish. I speak English. I write Spanish. I write English. See I write now in Spanish for the Senor Solano. You cannot write, so you cannot read what I write. I write that I am Yi Poon. I belong Colon. I come this place to see Senor Solano. Big business. Much important. Very secret. I write all this here on paper which you cannot read."
But he did not say that he had further written: "The Senorita Solano. I have great secret."
It was Alesandro, the eldest of the tall sons of Solano, who evidently had received the note, for he came bounding to the door, far outstripping the returning maid.
"Tell me your business!" he almost shouted at the fat Chinese. "What is it? Quick!"
"Very good business," was the reply, Yi Poon noting the other's excitement with satisfaction. "I make much money. I buy what you call secrets. I sell secrets. Very nice business."
"What do you know about the Senorita Solano?" Alesandro shouted, gripping him by the shoulder.
"Everything. Very important information…"
But Alesandro could no longer control himself. He almost hurled the Chinaman into the house, and, not relaxing his grip, rushed him on into the living room and up to Enrico.
"He has news of Leoncia!" Alesandro shouted.