The prosecutor looked long and searchingly at the frank-faced stranger, then answered, shortly, "I am he." "I thought so. Allow me: I am Captain Alfonso Garcia Estufa, of the Engineer Corps. I come from Havana with authority from the governor-general to confer with you about the brigands in this province." "Ah, indeed! You are welcome, senor captain. I was about to make a business call on a tenant in this street. May I ask if you will make my house your own till I return? I shall be absent but a few moments. I will go back with you and open the door. Enter, if you please. The sherry is on the sideboard. Cigars you will find on the table. Call my servant, if you require anything." Then, hurrying out once more, the lawyer almost ran upon his errand. In a quarter of an hour he returned and the two began their discussion over a decanter of choice Madeira. "It still seems to me," said the young officer, after the talk had been going on for some minutes, "that the bold policy is the better, though we may need secrecy in certain cases, for these devils of brigands smell powder a mile away. On my life, they do. I've dealt with them in Pinar del Rio, and they tell me they are more slippery and far-seeing, or far-smelling, in this province. They must have confederates here in town." "Confederates? Preposterous, senor! Why do you think that?" "Oh, I've been investigating a little. Either the brigands here are clever, or some man who is more clever has them in hand, and knows enough not to mix with them,--some man who can persuade them, or terrorize them, or shield them. Have you no conceit as to who in this city is fitted for a chieftainship like that?" "I? None." "I had hoped you knew your fellow-citizens well enough to advise me whom to watch. No? Then, at least, tell me where it would be best to place my men." "The trails toward Sibanicu." "Trails? Sibanicu? Why, there's no travel in that quarter. The robberies have happened between here and Minas." "Exactly. So many have happened that the brigands must abandon it henceforth. They know they are watched, and I'll warrant your coming here, and the object of it, are already common talk among them." "Humph!" "People who are bound for the coast are beginning to go around already, so as to avoid the Minas road. If our scamps are as clever as you think, they will not be long in following." "There is something in that, and I thank you for the hint. We will meet again shortly. Meanwhile, pray study the situation." "You are not going?" "I cannot stop with you, senor, greatly as I should be pleased to do so, for I have agreed to meet my lieutenants at the other end of the town. Good-night." "Good-night, then, if you will not stay. Tell me early what success you have in the chase of our good citizens of Puerto Principe."