The officer appointed to speak presented his report in these terms.
"We were upon our round about the wood of La Huerca six days ago, and had occasion to visit the Convent of La Peña. Upon information received from the Prior we questioned a certain religious, who admitted that he had recently buried a man in the wood. After some hesitation, which we had the means of overcoming, he conducted us to the grave. We disinterred the deceased, who had been murdered. Señor Don Luis——"
"Proceed," said Don Luis coldly. "I am listening."
"Sir," said the officer. "It was the body of a young man who had come from Pobledo. He called himself Estéban Vincaz." Tormillo, under his tree across the avenue, howled and rent himself. Don Luis heard him.
"Precisely," he said to the officer. "Have the goodness to wait while I silence that dog over there." He went rapidly over the roadway to Tormillo, grasped him by the shoulder and spoke to him in a vehement whisper. That was the single action by which he betrayed himself. He returned to his interview.
"I am now at leisure again. Let us resume our conversation. You questioned the religious, you say? When did the assassination take place?"
"Don Luis, it was upon the twelfth of May."
"Ah," said Don Luis, "the twelfth of May? And did he know who committed it?"
"Señor Don Luis, it was a woman."
The wasted eyes were upon the speaker, and made him nervous. He turned away his head. But Don Luis continued his cross-examination.