the conversation by going straight to the subject matter: – 'Buenas noches Tío Salado. I am delighted to see you in good health,' he said to him."
"The other answered, not knowing exactly what he said, – "
"'I thank you, Caballero. You are too kind.'"
"'Make haste! get your cloak, and come with us.'"
"'I?' Salado said, with a start of terror."
"'Yourself.'"
"'But how can I be of service to you?'"
"'I will tell you. I know that you are highly respected at the convent of the Bernardines – in the first place as a pulquero; and, secondly, as hombre de bien y religioso.'"
"'Oh! oh! to a certain extent,' the pulquero answered, evasively."
"'No false modesty. I know you have the power to get the gates of that house opened when you please; it is for that reason I invite you to accompany us.'"
"'¡Maria Purísima! What are you thinking of, Caballero' the poor fellow exclaimed, with terror."
"'No remarks! Make haste! or, by Nuestra señora del Carmen, I will burn your rookery.'"
"'A hollow groan issued from Salado's chest; but, after taking one despairing glance at the black masks that surrounded him, he prepared to obey. From the pulquería to the convent was only a few paces – they were soon passed, and Don Torribio turned to his prisoner, who was more dead than alive."
"'There, compadre,' he said, distinctly, 'we have arrived. It is now your place to get the door opened for us.'"
"'In heaven's name,' the pulquero exclaimed, making one last effort at resistance, 'how do you expect me to set about it? You forget that I have no means – '"
"'Listen,' Don Torribio said, imperiously; 'you understand that I have no time for discussion. You will either introduce us into the convent, and this purse, which contains fifty ounces, is yours; or you refuse, and in that case,' he added, coldly, as he drew a pistol from his girdle, 'I blow out your brains with this.'"
"A cold perspiration bedewed the pulquero's temples. He was too well acquainted with the bandits of his country to insult them for a moment by doubting their words."
"'Well!' the other asked, as he cocked the pistol, 'have you reflected?'"
"'Cáspita, Caballero! Do not play with that thing. I will try.'"
"'Here is the purse to sharpen your wits,' Don Torribio said."
"The pulquero clutched it with a movement of joy, any idea of which it is impossible to give; then he walked slowly towards the convent gate, while cudgelling his brains for some way in which to earn the sum he had received, without running any risk – a problem, we confess, of which it was not easy to find the solution."
CHAPTER VIII
A DARK HISTORY CONCLUDED
"The pulquero at length decided on obedience. Suddenly a luminous thought crossed his brain, and it was with a smile on his lips that he lifted the knocker. At the moment he was going to let it fall, Don Torribio caught his arm."
"'What is the matter?' Salado asked."
"'Eleven o'clock struck long ago; everybody must be asleep in the convent, so perhaps it would be better to try another plan.'"
"'You are mistaken, Caballero,' the pulquero answered; 'the portress is awake.'"
"'Are you sure of it?'"
"'Caramba!' the other answered, who had formed his plan, and was afraid he would be obliged to return the money, if his employé changed his mind. 'The convent of the Bernardines is open day and night to persons who come for medicines. Leave me to manage it.'"
"'Go on, then,' the chief of the band said, letting loose his arm."
"Salado did not allow the permission to be repeated, through fear of a fresh objection, and he hastened to let go the knocker, which resounded on a copper bolt. Don Torribio and his companions were crouching under the wall."
"In a moment the trapdoor was pushed back, and the wrinkled face of the portress appeared."
"'Who are you, my brother?' she asked, in a peevish, sleepy voice. 'Why do you come at this late hour to tap at the gates of the convent?'"
"'Ave Maria purísima!' Salado said, in his most nasal tone."
"'Sin pecado concebida, my brother, – are you ill?'"
"'I am a poor sinner, you know, sister; my soul is plunged in affliction.'"
"'Who are you, brother? I really believe that I can recognise your voice; but the night is so dark, that I am unable to distinguish your features.'"
"'And I sincerely trust you will not see them,' Salado said, mentally; then added, in a louder voice, 'I am Señor Templado, and keep a locanda in the Calle Plateros.'"
"'Ah! I remember you now, brother.'"
"'I fancy that is biting,' the pulquero muttered."
"'What do you desire, brother? Make haste to tell me, in the most holy name of your Saviour!' she said, crossing herself devotedly, a movement imitated by Salado; 'for the air is very cold, and I must continue my orisons, which you have interrupted.'"
"'Vulgo mi Dios! sister; my wife and two children are ill; the Reverend Pater Guardian, of the Franciscans, urged me to come and ask you for three bottles of your miraculous water.'"
"We will observe, parenthetically, that every convent manufactures in Mexico a so-called miraculous water, the receipt of which is carefully kept secret; this water, we were told, cures all maladies – a miracle which we were never in a position to test, for our part. We need hardly say, that this universal panacea is sold at a very high rate, and produces the best part of the community's revenue."
"'Maria!' the old woman exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy at the pulquero's large order. 'Three bottles!'"
"'Yes, sister. I will also ask your permission to rest myself a little; for I have come so quick, and the emotion produced by the illness of my wife and children has so crushed me, that I find it difficult to keep on my legs.'"
"'Poor man!' the portress said, with pity."
"'Oh! it would really be an act of charity, my sister.'"
"'Señor Templado, please look around you, to make sure there is no one in the street. We live in such wicked times, that a body cannot take enough precautions.'"
"'There is no one, my sister,' the pulquero answered, making the bandits a sign to get ready."
"'Then I will open.'"
"'Heaven will reward you, my sister.'"
"'Amen,' she said, piously."
"The noise of a key turned in a lock could be heard, then the rumbling of bolts, and the door opened."
"'Come in quickly, brother,' the nun said."
"But Salado had prudently withdrawn, and yielded his place to Don Torribio. The latter rushed at the portress, not giving her time to look round, seized her by the throat, and squeezed her windpipe as if his hand were a vice."
"'One word, sorceress,' he said to her, 'and I will kill you!'"
"Terrified by this sudden attack from a man whose face was covered by a black mask, the old woman fell back senseless."
"'Devil take the old witch!' Don Torribio exclaimed, passionately; 'Who will guide us now?'"
"He tried to restore the portress to her senses, but soon perceiving that he should not succeed, he made a sign to two of his men to tie and gag her securely; then, after recommending them to stand sentry at the door, he seized the bunch of keys entrusted to the nun, and began, followed by his comrades, to find his way into the building inhabited by the sisters. It was not an easy thing to discover, in this immense Thebaïd, the cell occupied by the abbess, for it was that lady alone whom Don Torribio wanted."
"Now, to converse with the abbess, she must first be