"Perdone, hermano!" he murmured, with a most apologetic bow. "Be pleased to regain your property."
With that he left the table and stood with his back to me until I had folded up the packet and replaced it within my bosom.
"Your Excellency," I said, "the world has heard much about the chivalrous gallantry of your people. I am now convinced the half has not been told of it!"
"Muchas gracias, señor!" he returned. "You pardon my stupid error? Yours is the act of a true caballero! If the question does not trench upon delicate ground, may I venture an inquiry as to the possible relation of your daring journey—?"
"I have reason to believe that the lady is at Chihuahua, Your Excellency," I explained.
"Ah! ah! now I perceive! Yet what an amor to bring any man across the vast desert!—above all, over the Sangre de Cristo in midwinter!"
"It was the barrier which lay between myself and my lady, Your Excellency."
"Por Dios! You Americanos! You will yet be flying to the moon! Malgares told me fully of the perils of the desert, and he had six hundred men, and it was in the pleasant season. But one man or a mere handful, however brave—Santisima Virgen!"
"Malgares?" I repeated.
"Lieutenant Malgares, who led the expedition to the savages of the East and North. On your way to Chihuahua you will have opportunity to learn that he is a true caballero."