"An outlaw," answered the chief, "and king of this island," drily; "an outlaw, and nothing more." "Well, be it so, sir. Still you are exactly the man I want. I have need, for the execution of my plans, for the carrying out of my projects, of a man who is bound by no locality, by no social consideration. In fact, an outlaw." The other bowed ironically. "Now are you disposed to be the man?" "First," said Tom Mitchell, "let me know what you want of me. I will then give a decisive answer." "Well, then," replied the envoy, "let us put diplomacy on one side, and speak frankly and openly." The outlaw leaned back and assumed something like the attitude of a tiger about to spring. "Sir," he said, with a most singular smile, "I was about to make the very same proposition." "Very good," replied Monsieur Hebrard; "that shows that we are beginning to understand one another." The captain bowed, without speaking. "The Spanish colonies," continued M. Hebrard, "are already beginning to feel the germs of revolutionary fermentation. Some devoted and enterprising men, yourself among others, have gone into the cities and towns of Mexico." "All this I know; a truce to flattery." "They have seen the zealous patriots, who are, however, but ill prepared as yet for the revolution we ardently desire." "Ill prepared indeed," cried Tom Mitchell. "But overtopping all others is a man who has immense influence with the Indian races. You know him." "Ah, ah!" exclaimed Tom; "You mean Dolores, the priest." "I mean no other. He is the only man upon whom we can count. We must enter into serious relations with him." "For what purpose?" asked the outlaw. "In order that when the hour comes he may be ready to raise the standard of revolt," cried the other, "and ready to draw the population after him against Spanish despotism." "Very good, sir. But it is a long way to Dolores, where lives the curé Hidalgo. The road is one of the most dangerous I know. I doubt if any agent, however clever, can reach him. Will you allow me to give you sincere advice?" "Speak; I am deeply interested." "My own opinion is that it would be much better to despatch a light vessel, schooner or brig, into the Gulf of Mexico. This vessel could cruise along the coast, and, when opportunity offered, land a confidential agent." "You are quite right, sir," said the envoy, "I must say this means has been tried with success." "Well, what then?" "The secret was betrayed by a traitor; in consequence, the Spanish authorities are always on their guard." "Hence you conclude--" "That on reflection, and having experience as a guide, the difficult road you describe is the best." "Hum!" said the outlaw, and relapsed into silence. The real meaning, the interesting point, of this conversation, so long, had not been touched upon. The captain knew it well, and kept himself in reserve. M. Hebrard was for some time afraid to enter upon a frank and true explanation.