“Lepero!” I cried, losing all temper. “Take me where you will—only be quick about it! Once on the ground, there won’t be much chance for either policeman or patrol, to save you from the sword you are tempting from its scabbard. Lead on!”
“There’s a quiet street close by,” said he, with a coolness that surprised, and, but for my rage, might have disconcerted me; “There we can have our game out, without risk of interruption. You consent to our going there?”
“Certainly. The place is all one to me. As to the time, it won’t take long to teach you a lesson, that will last you for your life.”
“Nos veremos, señor! Nos vamos!” was the singular response of my challenger, as he started to conduct me to the “quiet street.”
Mechanically I walked after him, though not without misgivings. Had I been in a proper state of mind, I might have reflected more seriously on the step I was called upon to take.
It could scarce have appeared other than it really was—imprudent.
After passing through several streets, we came to the entrance of that we were in search of.
On turning into it, some vague remembrance flitted across my brain. I fancied I had been there before.
I glanced up to the coign of the corner house. In black lettering I read the inscription:—
“Callecito de los Pajaros!”