I waved him off, and as he went out again to tell Medina he would serve, I hastened in to Pike. He was pacing up and down the bedchamber like a caged panther.
"Has he gone?" he demanded. I nodded. "It's well—it's well! I could not answer for the consequences should I have to face his sneer again before I've had time to cool. By the Almighty, had he spoken in his own name and not as a messenger, I'd have challenged him, John!"
"Doubtless. But this menace by the Governor-General?"
"It cannot be he will go to extremes."
"Yet would it not be as well to consult with our friends? They may have knowledge of Salcedo's temper."
"We can rely upon Zuloaga and, I believe, your Don Pedro."
"Go to them, then, and I will look for Malgares."
"Very well. I will call upon Señor Vallois, and will meet you later at Zuloaga's, if Malgares can come."
With this, we threw on hat and coat and started off in the gathering twilight, on diverging paths. A few minutes of sharp walking brought me to the Mayron mansion, where I was so fortunate as to find Malgares at home and alone. Having first told of Salcedo's implied threat, I stated my own personal affair briefly, and recalled his promise to act as my second.
"Poder de Dios!" he exclaimed. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure. You will choose pistols?"