"May Heaven hear you! Give us each a glass of tamarind water."
At this moment, when the landlord brought the draught, there was a tap at the door.
"Perhaps it is our man," the stranger said.
"That is possible, your excellency," the landlord answered, as he went to open the door on the chain, which left only a passage of a few inches, much too narrow for the visitor to enter the house against the wish of its owner. This precautionary measure, which is at once very prudent and simple, is generally adopted all through Mexico, owing to the slight confidence with which the police organization in this blessed country, which is the refuge of scoundrels of every description, inspires the inhabitants.
After exchanging a few words in a low voice with the new arrival, the landlord unhooked the chain and opened the door.
"Excellency," he said to the stranger, who was slowly sipping his tamarind water, "here is your messenger."
"At last," the traveller said, gladly, as he placed his horn mug on the table.
The peon entered, politely doffed his hat and bowed.
"Well, my friend," the stranger asked him, "did you find the person to whom I sent you?"
"Yes, excellency, I had the good fortune to find him at home on his return from a tertulia in the Calle San Agustin."
"Ah, ah! and what did he say on receiving my note?"
"Well, excellency, he is a caballero, for sure; for he first gave me a piastre, and then said to me, 'Go back as quick as you can walk, and tell the gentleman who sent you that I shall be at the meeting he appoints as soon as yourself.'"
"He will probably be here in a few minutes."
"Very good, you are a clever lad," the stranger answered; "here is another piastre for you, and now you can retire."
"Thanks, your excellency," the peon said, joyfully pocketing his piastre. "Caray! I should be a rich man with only two nights a month like this."
And after bowing a second time, he left the room to go and sleep, in all probability, in the corral. The peon had told the truth, for he had scarce left the room ten minutes ere a rather loud voice was heard without: horses stamped, and not only was the door struck, but there were several loud calls.
"Open the door without fear," the stranger said; "I know that voice."