“And haven’t they tried to arrest you, my friend?”
“Me? They can’t do it.... I have a pack of bloodhounds that can smell from here everything that goes on in the other end of Cordova. Just give one of them a message, and he tears through the atmosphere faster than a greyhound.”
They knocked at the garret.
“I’m not dressed yet,” came from within.
“Come, Señora,” exclaimed Quentin. “You are abusing my appetite. If you don’t want to open the door, give me the basket. I warn you, Pacheco is here.”
When she heard this, the woman opened the door and threw herself into the arms of the bandit. She had her hair crimped, covered with little bow knots, and was wearing a white wrapper.
Quentin took the basket.
“Well,” he said, “I’ll leave you two alone if you wish.”
“No!” exclaimed Pacheco in terror; then turning to the woman, he added: “This gentleman and I have some important matters to discuss. We are gambling with life.”
“First we’ll eat a little,” said Quentin. “That’s an idea for you.”