"Yes, my friend; but before I explain to you the cause of my coming, allow Señor Don Olivero to report to your chief the way in which he carried out the mission confided to him." "Very good," the hacendero answered, as he fell back a step. "Come, speak, Colonel," Father Sandoval said. "Am I still a colonel?" the hunter asked. "Hang it, as you are not dead, I see no reason why you should not be, especially as I am extremely pleased with your lieutenant, Moonshine, and your cuadrilla has done me eminent services." "In that case, all is well," the hunter said joyfully, as he snapped his fingers, and coquettishly twisted his light moustache. After this outburst of joy, the hunter began his narrative, to which the general listened with the deepest attention. When he came to the carrying off the papers, Don Pelagio interrupted him. "Have you those papers with you?" he asked eagerly. "Here they are," the hunter answered, as he drew them from the pocket into which he had stuffed them, and laid them on the table. The general seized them, and going up to the candle, carefully perused them. "Oh!" he exclaimed, with a sudden outburst, "I was not mistaken; all is really as I foresaw; now I have him, and he will not escape me. Colonel, you performed your mission as a man of heart and intellect. I shall remember it at the first opportunity. Now go on," he added, as he carefully placed the papers in his bosom. "Well," the hunter gaily remarked, "it seems that I made a better haul than I supposed." "You could not be more lucky." "All the better then. What you say to me, General, causes me the greater pleasure, because I shall probably have to ask a favour of you ere long." "It is granted beforehand, if it depends on me." "On you absolutely, General; moreover, it is a service I wish to render Don Aníbal de Saldibar, your friend." "Render me?" the hacendero exclaimed, in surprise. "Yes, you, señor." The count laid a finger on his lip, to recommend silence to Don Aníbal. The latter, surprised at his friend's gesture, was silent, as if involuntarily; but he suffered from a secret anxiety caused by this mystery, an explanation of which he racked his brains in vain to find. The hunter continued his narrative. "As I had the honour of telling you, General, we left the Hacienda del Río in the morning. Our horses, fatigued by a long ride, only advanced with difficulty, and we were ourselves exhausted by the heat; moreover, it was already late, and the hour for the halt had arrived. At this moment I noticed a cave close by, and proposed to the count that we should rest in it, to which he assented. I entered this grotto, and after exploring it thoroughly, made my comrades a sign to join me. This cave, which was very large, formed several galleries. Forgive me, General, for entering into these details, which may appear to you prolix, but they are indispensable."