"Did you recognise none of them except the Señor Evaña," asked Marshal Liniers.
"There was another came up to the rancho with the Señor Evaña whom I should recognise if I saw him again, but I do not know who he is."
"Don Marcelino Ponce de Leon very probably," said Marshal Liniers, with a distrustful glance at Don Roderigo.
"I am quite certain he was not Don Marcelino, I should recognise him at double the distance," replied Asneiros.
"Then the only thing certain is that a number of sportsmen ceased their sport to discuss politics," said General Nieto, "that this Señor Evaña was one of them, and that he made use of words which prove that he at least is engaged in some treasonable conspiracy in which doubtless the next step was the meeting of the Comandantes at the house of the Señor Puyrredon."
Other members of the council concurred in this view of the case, and some spoke of Evaña as a dangerous man, against whose machinations every precaution should be taken.
"We need discuss the matter no further at present," said Marshal Liniers. "I shall at once order the arrest of the Señor Evaña. You will acknowledge the necessity of this measure, Don Roderigo?"
Don Roderigo made no answer and the council broke up. Loitering in an ante-room some few minutes later, Don Ciriaco Asneiros was joined by Don Roderigo, who drew him into the recess of a window and said:
"My son Don Marcelino was with that shooting party in the bañados, are you sure you did not see him?"