He sprang to his feet and demanded in a terrible voice:
“Who told you?”
“It matters little whence the warning comes, provided that it be well founded.”
“Your guide has betrayed me, but he shall pay me for it! Where is he?”
“I don’t know; in the stable, I think.—But some one told me——”
“Who told you? It couldn’t have been the old woman.”
“Some one whom I do not know.—But without more words, have you any reason for not awaiting the soldiers, yes or no? If you have, waste no time; if not, good-night, and I ask your pardon for disturbing your sleep.”
“Ah! your guide! your guide! I suspected him from the first; but—his account is made up! Farewell, señor! God will repay you for the service you have rendered me. I am not altogether so bad as you think; no, there is still something in me which deserves a gallant man’s compassion.—Farewell, señor! I have but one regret, and that is that I cannot pay my debt to you.”
“In payment of the service I have rendered you, promise, Don José, to suspect no one, and not to think of revenge. Here, take these cigars, and a pleasant journey to you!”
And I offered him my hand.