Don Paco and Quentin sat down, and the latter began to speak:
“This gentleman,” he said, “is Don Paco Sánchez Olmillo, who, as you know, is one of the members of the Revolutionary Junta and Chief of the Patrician Lodge.”
“No, not Chief,” Don Paco interrupted. “The Masons have no chiefs.”
“We won’t discuss the use of words now; the idea is to come to an understanding. This gentleman, and other members of the Junta, have thought that you, comrade, could help them start a movement, and wish to get into touch with you.”
“The fact is,” said Don Paco, who believed that Quentin was compromising him a bit too much, “that I have no power—”
“It’s not a question of legal power, nor of lawyers,” replied Quentin. “With us, one’s word is sufficient.”
“It’s absolute, comrade,” added Pacheco.
“Don Paco, you wished to know if Pacheco could organize the movement, did you not?”
“Yes; that is it essentially.”
“Very well; now you know, Pacheco. Kindly tell us if you can undertake the work, and under what conditions.”