"_Bien_, Don Mario," resumed Josè, after a long meditation. "Let us ask our good Rosendo to leave us for a little moment that we may with greater freedom discuss the necessary arrangements. _Bien, amigo!_" holding up a hand to check Rosendo, who was rising menacingly before the Alcalde. "You will leave it to me." He threw Rosendo a significant look; and the latter, after a momentary hesitation, bowed and passed out of the room. "_A propósito, amigo_," resumed Josè, turning to the Alcalde and assuming utter indifference with regard to Carmen. "As you will recall, I stood security for Rosendo's debts. The thirty _pesos_ which he owes you will be ready this evening." The Alcalde smiled genially and rubbed his fat palms together. "_Muy bien_," he murmured. Josè reflected. Then: "But, Don Mario, with regard to Carmen, justice must be done, is it not so?" "_Cierto_, Padre; and Padre Diego has the proofs--" "Certainly; I accept your word for your conviction in the matter. But you will agree that there is something to be said for Rosendo. He has fed, clothed, and sheltered the girl for some eight years. Let us see, at the rate you charge your _peones_, say, fifty pesos a day, that would amount to--" He took paper and pencil from the table and made a few figures. "--to just fourteen hundred and sixty _pesos oro_," he concluded. "This, then, is the amount now due Rosendo for the care of Diego's child. You say he has made arrangements with you to care for her until he can send for her. _Bien_, we will deliver her to you for Diego, but only upon payment of the sum which I have just mentioned. Otherwise, how will Rosendo be reimbursed for the expense of her long maintenance?" "_Ca--ram--ba!_ Fourteen hundred and sixty _pesos oro_! Why--it is a fortune!" ejaculated the outwitted Alcalde, his eyes bulging over his puffy cheeks. "And," continued Josè calmly, "if we deliver the girl to you to-day, I will retain the thirty _pesos oro_ which Rosendo owes you, and you will stand surety for the balance of the debt, fourteen hundred and thirty, in that case." "_Diablo!_ but I will do nothing of the kind!" exploded the Alcalde. "_Caramba!_ let Diego come and look after his own brat!" "Then we shall consider the interview at an end, no?" "But my thirty _pesos oro_?" "To-night. And as much more for additional supplies. We are still working together, are we not, Don Mario?" he added suggestively. Josè in Simití with money discounted a million Diegos fleeing through the jungle. The Alcalde's heavy face melted in a foolish grin. "_Cierto, buen Padre!_ and--La Libertad?" "I have strong hopes," replied Josè with bland assurance, while a significant look came into his face. Then he rose and bowed the Alcalde out. "And, Don Mario--" He put a finger on his lips. "--we remain very silent, no?" "_Cierto, Padre, cierto!_ I am the grave itself!"