“During all this storm I kept my eyes on the monarch’s face, which seemed turned to stone from the moment Arellano joined in the conversation. Disregarding the miserable man as much as I could, I turned to the King, and said:
“‘Señor, I know nobody.’
“Then Ramirez said: ‘Señor, the tribunal, the tribunal will make him vomit.’
“Then the King, turning away from Ramirez, said in a tone of vexation:
“‘It is impossible that you know nothing about it; your silence is criminal.’
“‘Señor,’ I returned, ‘if I were hiding a crime I should shun your royal presence, and if I had committed a sin I should profit by the opportunity of being in the royal presence, to ask pardon.’
“The King stood looking at me thoughtfully for some time, and then said:
“‘Put down in writing all that you have to tell me.’
“After a slight pause he took one of the cigars from the table, lighted it, and began smoking.
“‘Do you smoke?’ he said.