The young man smiled incredulously, but turned to Lanzi and said, "Let him enter." "Come, señor," said the half-breed, addressing a person who was still invisible; "the Commandant is ready to receive you." Lanzi fell back, and made room for an individual who at once entered. The Jaguar started on recognising him. It was Sandoval, who had delivered him the letter on the previous day. The Pirate Chief bowed politely to the two persons in whose presence he found himself. "You are surprised to see me, I think, Caballeros," he said, with a smile to the Jaguar. "I confess it," the latter said, with a bow no less polite than the one made to him. "The matter is clear enough, however. I like a plain and distinct understanding. In the letter I delivered to you myself yesterday, I gave you the meeting at the Cueva del Venado, to discuss grave matters; as you will remember." "I allow it." "But," Sandoval continued, with the calmness and intrepid coolness that characterised him, "we had hardly separated ere I made a reflection." "Ah! And would it be indiscreet to ask its nature?" "Not at all. I reflected that, under the circumstances, regarding the position in which we stand to each other, and as I had not the honour of your acquaintance, it might possibly happen that you would place in me all the confidence I deserve, and that you might leave me to kick my heels in the grotto." The two insurgents exchanged a smiling glance, which Sandoval intercepted. "Ah, ah!" he said, with a laugh; "it appears that I guessed right. In short, as I repeat that we have serious matters to discuss, I resolved to come direct to you, and so cut this difficulty." "You did well, and I thank you for it." "It is not worth while, for I am working as much for myself as for you in this business." "Be it so; but that does not render your conduct less honourable. Then you are not a flag of truce?" "I; not a bit in the world. It was merely a title I thought it better to assume, in order to find my way to you more easily." "No matter; so long as you remain with us you shall be treated as such, so do not feel alarmed." "I alarmed! About what, pray? Am I not under the safeguard of your honour?" "Thanks for the good opinion you are kind enough to have of me, and I will justify it. Now, if you think proper, we will come to the point." "I ask nothing better," Sandoval answered with some hesitation, and looking dubiously at the American. "This caballero is my intimate friend," the Jaguar said, understanding his meaning; "you can, speak frankly before him." "Hum!" said Sandoval, with a toss of the head. "My mother, who was a holy woman, repeated to me frequently, that when two are enough to settle a matter, it is useless to call in a third." "Your mother was right, my fine fellow," John Davis said, with a laugh; "and since you are so unwilling to have me as an auditor, I will retire."