“A very good friend.”
Apparently this was the countersign, for the door opened, and the visitor met a man who greeted him with,
“God protect you, Señor Alonso.”
“Are there many people here?”
“Nobody at all.”
“Then there will be no noise.”
“Are you alone?”
“Can’t you see that I am?”
“The whole house is at your disposal.”
“Put me wherever you please.—Here,” said Señor Alonso, entering a room whose only furniture was a large table, “and give me whatever you like for supper, but the best wine that you have, for I have something important to talk to you about, and I want to get my head clear.”