"Neither, senor, on my honour as a Spaniard," answered Pacheco. "The fact is," he continued in explanation, "that I have seen much of the English during my business as a seafarer, and have learned to like them, in spite of their overbearing ways and the fact that they are heretics. Moreover, senor, you are about to attack the Inquisition, and good Catholic though I am, it would not grieve me were you to take it and give it to the flames, for I like it not, and that's the truth, the saints forgive me!" "Now, gentles," said Bascomb, "you have heard what Senor Pacheco has said about the troops, and if it be truth--as I doubt not it is--it behoves us to be careful how we thrust our noses into that city of Cartagena yonder. Yet go I must, and will; for it is not to be thought of that our Captain may be in their accursed Inquisition, perhaps suffering torments unimaginable, and we doing nothing to help him. Therefore, in view of the possibility of those troops having arrived, and having been secreted somewhere in the town, I think we must modify our plans a little, to the extent, that is to say, of making the landing-party as strong as we can at the expense of the party remaining behind. Now, Mr Winter, what is the smallest number of men that you would care to be left with?" "If I am to defend the ship successfully in the event of a possible attack," said Winter, "I must have at least twenty men. I cannot do with less. Leave me twenty, and you may take all the rest, even including young Chichester, who is like to be a great deal more useful ashore than he would be with me." "Very well," agreed Bascomb, "twenty be it; you can scarce do with less, for it is more than likely that, while we are busy ashore, they will endeavour to recover possession of the treasure. And now, Senor Pacheco, we shall need you as guide to show us the shortest way to the Inquisition. Art willing to do us that service?" "I am, most illustrious," answered Pacheco; "but, with your favour, senor, it must be under at least seeming compulsion, for if it were known that I did such a thing save under the fear of instant death, I should never again be able to show my face in Cartagena. Therefore, most valiant Englishman, if I am to lead you, it must be with my hands bound and a pistol held to my head."