The leering, cunning face of the bandit instantly grew serious; and, leaning his elbows on his knees, he stretched out his head to listen to Stoneheart's words.
"You know I am rich, and can have no doubt that I am able to fulfil any engagement with you into which I may enter. However, to save time, and deprive you of any pretext to betray me, I will immediately place in your hands three diamonds, each worth two thousand five hundred piastres You are so well acquainted with precious stones, that a single glance will convince you of their value. These diamonds are yours. I make you a present of them. Nevertheless, if you prefer it, I engage to pay you what they are worth; that is to say, to forward seven thousand five hundred piastres on your first demand, after our return to San Lucar, in exchange for the jewels."
"And you have got the diamonds about you?" said the _vaquero_, in a voice half stifled with emotion.
"Here they are!" replied Stoneheart, drawing from his bosom a small deerskin bag, and taking out three good-sized jewels, which he placed in the _vaquero's_ hands.
The latter clutched them with a glee he did not attempt to conceal, looked at them for a moment with eyes sparkling with triumph, and hid them carefully in his bosom.
"Wait a moment!" said Stoneheart, with a curious smile; "I have not yet told you the conditions."
"Whatever they may be, I accept them, señor. _¡Caspita!_ seven thousand five hundred piastres! It is a fortune to a poor devil like me! No _navajada_ will ever bring me in as much, however well they pay me!"
"Then you want no time for consideration?"
"_¡Canarios!_ I should think not! Whom am I to kill?"
"No one," briefly answered Stoneheart. "Listen to me: all you have to do is to lead me to the place where the Tigercat has taken refuge."
The _vaquero_ shook his head discontentedly at this proposal. "I cannot do it, caballero. By all my hopes hereafter, it is impossible!"
"Very well," said Stoneheart. "I forgot to mention another little thing."
"What is it, señor?" asked the _vaquero_, in great trouble at the turn the conversation was taking.
"A very trifling matter. If you do not accept my proposal, I will instantly blow out your brains."
El Zapote examined the speaker's face most carefully; with a rascal's intuitive perception, he felt that the time for pleasantry was over, and matters were threatening to become serious. "At least give me leave to explain, señor," said he.