"Sh! let him explain!"
"No, that's a good question," declared Strawbridge, with enthusiasm. "I sell you something. Why am I concerned about how you use it? The use of that article is your problem. But perhaps with my expert knowledge I can show you how to use it better, or perhaps I can devise a way to make you a better tool. Then you will be a satisfied customer, and a satisfied customer is the best advertisement in the world." Strawbridge shook his fist. "When you buy anything from me, gentlemen, you are not buying just my goods, you are buying human service!" He popped his fist into his palm. "You are buying the best in me to coöperate with the best in you, and between us we'll make this world a better world to live in." He nodded sharply. "See?"
The drummer paused. The bull-fighter and the peon looked at each other. After several seconds had passed, Esteban said:
"For example, señor, if I wanted to buy a dirk to cut Lubito's throat, you would come and cut it first to see what kind of knife I should use?"
Strawbridge was a little cooled.
"Well, ... that is just about the size of my San Geronimo trip; isn't it? You seem to have hit the nail on the head."
Esteban became thoughtful.
"So you are going to aid—" his voice sank—"General Fombombo."
"Yes, sure I am."