CHAPTER XVI.
TWO MEN MADE TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.
As several interesting events of our narrative will take place atGuaymas, we will describe that town in a few words.
Mexico possesses several roadsteads in the Pacific; but in reality hasonly two ports worthy that name, Guaymas and Acapulco. For the present,we will confine ourselves to the former.
Owing to a large quantity of islands which surround the port like ahill, and the lofty coasts, the roads are in all weathers as sure andcalm as a lake. The sea breaks gently on shores adorned with mangotrees, whose pale green forms a strange contrast to the earthy red ofthe beach, and gives the port a wild and desolate aspect, furtherincreased by the continual silence of the roads, where a few ships seekshelter at rare intervals under the isle Del Venado, but, where usuallyonly a few coasters are visible, or wretched canoes, hollowed out oftrunks of trees, and belonging to the Hiaqui Indians.
The town stretches carelessly along the beach, with its white, low, andflat-roofed houses, defended by a fort built of red clay, armed with afew rusty and unserviceable guns. Guaymas, like all the pueblos of therepublic, is dirty, ill built, and the streets are unpaved; in short, ateach step you acquire proofs of that carelessness and egotisticincapacity which characterises the Mexicans. Behind the town, rise loftyand denuded mountains, which protect it from the cold winds of theCordilleras.
Still, Guaymas, founded only a few years back, and whose population isbut 6,000 at the utmost, is destined ere long, owing to the security ofits port, and its magnificent position, to acquire a great commercialimportance.
The day on which we resume our story, about an hour after the _oracion_,or at seven in the evening, a man, wrapped in a thick cloak, and withthe brim of his sombrero pulled down over his eyes, stopped at the doorof a rather handsome house, and after casting a furtive glance around,to see that he was not watched, gave discreetly three separate knocks.This manner of rapping was evidently a signal; and the man we allude tomust have been expected, for the door opened at once. The strangerentered, and the door was noiselessly closed after him.
The stranger then found himself in one of those inner patios found inall the houses of Guaymas; but he probably was perfectly acquainted withthe place; for, without a second's hesitation, he turned to the left,mounted a few steps, and rapped at a second door, which was before him,in the same way as he had done at the first.
"Come in," a voice shouted from within.
The stranger pushed the door, which yielded to the pressure, and entereda large room, which might be considered to be furnished with a certaindegree of luxury for Mexico, and especially for a province so remote asSonora. But this luxury was in bad taste, and smelled of the _parvenu_.The furniture and pictures that decorated the room had been probablypurchased or exchanged with the captain of the vessels that at times putinto Guaymas, and presented the strangest possible discordance of style.
A man was seated in a butaca, almost in the centre of the room, andcarelessly smoking a pajillo. When the stranger entered, he nodded tohim, pointed to a chair, and said laconically,--
"Shut the door, and sit down."
The stranger took off his cloak and hat, which he threw on a sideboard;and, after closing the door as he had been recommended, he fell into abutaca with a sigh of satisfaction. We will describe these two newcharacters in a few words.
The first--that is to say, the master of the house--was a plump littlefellow, as broad as he was long, with ordinary features, while hislittle sharp eyes gave his face an expression of soothing falseness andcowardly villainy. He was about fifty years of age, though he did notappear so, owing to the freshness of his apoplectic complexion, andlong, flat, and greasy masses of black hair, which fell below his redand coarse ears. This worthy personage was dressed in the Europeanfashion, with a profusion of jewellery, and rings on his fingers; and,through his costume and manners, which were made up of effrontery andtimidity, he bore a considerable likeness to a butcher or a cattledealer in his Sunday clothes.
His visitor, whom we have met before by the way, formed a perfectcontrast with him. He was a half-breed, of Indian and Mexican descent,tall, dry, and thin as a lath; his face, like a knife blade, was adornedwith an enormous beaked nose, which overshadowed a mouth stretching fromear to ear, and full of teeth white as almonds; round eyes withblood-shot eyelids, constantly agitated by a convulsive movement,completed the strangest and most sinister face that could be conceived.A cruel mocking smile continually moved his thin lips, and added to thefeeling of discomfort his entire person inspired. In a word, hisapproach produced that clammy coldness felt in touching a viper or anyother reptile. Beneath his cloak he wore the gold embroidered uniform ofthe higher Mexican officers. His name was Don Francisco Flores, and hewore the badge of a colonel in the Mexican service. We shall soon learnwho was the hideous person, concealed under this borrowed name.
The colonel, after seating himself, took out some tobacco, made acigarette, and began smoking with the most superb nonchalance. For someminutes the two men remained silent, examining each other with thecorner of the eye. At last, the former, doubtlessly fatigued by thisobstinate inquisition, which weighed upon him, and from which he couldnot escape, resolved to take the word.
"Caballero," he said, "you see that the instructions conveyed in theletter you did me the honour of writing to me, have been followed outpoint for point."
The colonel made a sign of assent, while emitting an enormous puff ofsmoke. The other continued,--
"Now I will take the liberty of observing that I do not at allunderstand your singular missive, and that I see no reason why youshould surround yourself with so great a mystery."
"Ah!" the colonel said, with a laugh peculiar to himself, and which borea strong likeness to a pile of plates breaking.
"Yes," the first speaker continued, annoyed by this irreverence; "and Ishould not be sorry, I confess, to have a clear and categoricalexplanation."
And, saying this, he drew himself up haughtily in his butaca; andregarded his visitor fixedly. The latter did not appear at all affectedby this hostile manifestation; on the contrary, he stretched out hislegs, and said, as he threw himself back in his chair,--
"Don Antonio, are you fond of money?"
"Eh?" the other remarked.
"I beg your pardon. I should have said gold: I will therefore modify myquestion. Are you fond of gold?"
"Really, sir----"
"Answer clearly, without any hesitation, as a caballero should do. Isuppose that I am not talking Hebrew; so reply, yes or no."
"But----"
"_Capa de Dios!_ if you go on in that way we shall never finish, master,_caray_. You are too sharp a greyhound, not to have recognised at thefirst glance with whom you have to deal. Answer clearly, then, withoutfurther tergiversation."
"Well, then, yes," Antonio answered, subjugated involuntarily by theman's accent.
"Very good. Do you love it much?"
"Well, tolerably."
"That is not enough."
"Very much, then, if you absolutely insist."
"I beg your pardon. It is a matter of indifference to me. It is not Iwho am in question, but only yourself."
"Well, well, I understand you."
"That is lucky; but you took your time to do so."
"Come, what is the business?"
"Ah, ah! You are coming to the point."
Don Antonio smiled.
"Well, I am only doing what you wish."
"That is true; so we shall not dispute about that."
"Go on; I am listening."
"You received my letter, as you allowed. Now, do you know why I arrangedthis meeting?"
"I am waiting to hear it from your lips."
"I will tell you at once. You are aware that a society has been formedat Mexico, called the Atravida?"
"I have heard it mentioned."
"Of course, as you are a partner in it."
"That is possible; but the question is not abou
t that, I presume?"
"Perhaps it is. Well, this company, established under the auspices ofthe first Mexican capitalists, supported by the government, is intendedto work the rich mines of the _Plancha de Plata_, situated in the heartof Apacheria."
"I am aware of it."
"Very good. You see we shall soon understand each other."
"I doubt it."
"I hope so. This company, composed of Frenchmen, all resolute men,organised as soldiers, and under the command of a skilful chief----"
"Count Don Louis de Prebois----"
"I know him. Spare your praise of him. This company, supported by highinfluences, must not, however, reach the mines."
"Ah, ah! And what will prevent it, if you please?"
"Yourself first of all."
"Oh, oh! I do not believe it."
"Nonsense! You shall see. Let me finish first."
"Go on."
"How much do you think this affair will bring you in?"
"I cannot tell you."
"What, not even approximatively?"
"It is very difficult to calculate, for the mines are rich."
"Yes, but they are remote. Come, mention a figure."
"It is impossible."
"Nonsense! Even supposing I were to help you----?"
"Ah! If you help me----"
"I thought so."
"But stay," Don Antonio remarked sharply. "What great interest have you,then, in spoiling this affair?"
"I, none; it is you."
"I!" Don Antonio exclaimed in amazement; "that is a little too much."
"You shall see."
"I am most eager to do so."
"So soon as the Atravida company was established, another, under thename of the _Conciliadora_, was at once set on foot, as always happens,and naturally for the same object."
"Come, the name is a capital one."
"It is. Now you know that competition is the backbone of trade."
Don Antonio bowed in assent; and the colonel continued, with his dry andharsh smile.
"The Conciliadora, although powerfully protected at Mexico, required anactive, intelligent, and upright agent in Sonora; and it immediatelyturned its eyes on you. Indeed, Don Antonio Mendez Pavo, performing theduties of French consul at Guaymas, was the only man capable of servingit efficaciously. As the result of this reasoning, you were put down for200 paid up shares of 500 piastres each; the coupons of which wereintrusted to me to deliver to you. That makes, if I am not mistaken, avery nice little sum, which I shall have the honour of handing to you."
And he felt in the pocket of his uniform; but Don Antonio disdainfullychecked him.
"You are strangely mistaken about me, caballero," he said; "when a manhas the honour of representing France, he cannot be bribed in somiserable a way."
"Nonsense!" the colonel said, laughing.
"My duty orders me to protect the French company; and whatever mayhappen, I will do so."
"Magnificently spoken."
"So now," Don Antonio continued with fire, "return to the persons whosent you, and tell them that Don Antonio Pavo is not one of those menwho can be induced to forget his duty so easily."
"That is charming, and you really spoke it with proper emphasis."
Don Antonio rose, and with a majestic smile shewed the colonel the door.
"Begone, sir," he said coldly; "or I shall not answer for theconsequences of my anger."
The colonel did not stir; he made no change in the carelessly insolentposition he had adopted from the outset. Still, when Don Antonio ceased,he threw away his cigarette, and giving the last speaker a glance ofmost peculiar significance,--
"Have you done?" he answered quietly.
"Caballero!" Don Antonio exclaimed, drawing himself up majestically.
"Permit me, Don Antonio, I have no wish to remain any longer here andwaste your precious time. Still, you will allow with me, that every manintrusted with a mission must accomplish it in its entirety; and you aretoo conversant with business to deny this fact."
"I allow it, sir," Don Antonio answered, suddenly calmed by these words.
"Very good; then, be kind enough to sit down again and listen to me afew moments longer."
"Be brief, sir."
"I only ask for five minutes."
"I grant them."
"You are generous, sir; I will, therefore, profit by your permission. Igo on, then. You are inscribed for 200 shares, representing, if I am notmistaken, 100,000 piastres, which I consider a very respectable sum."
"Not a word more on that subject, sir."
"I know," the colonel continued imperturbably, "what you would object; abird in the hand is worth a vulture in the air."
Don Antonio, troubled by the meaning attached to his words, could findno reply. The colonel continued;
"The chiefs of the company employed the same line of reasoning asyourself, sir. They understood that they must act fairly and above boardwith a man holding so high as yourself, and so worthy in every respectof their confidence; consequently, they commissioned me to hand you, inaddition to the shares----"
"Sir," Senor Pavo essayed again.
"Fifty thousand piastres," the colonel said distinctly.
Don Antonio made a bound of surprise.
"What!" he exclaimed. "What did you say, senor?"
"I mentioned 50,000 piastres."
"Ah, ah!"
"In good bills, payable at sight."
"On what house?"
"Torribio de la Porta and Co."
"An excellent house, sir."
"Is it not?"
"Most assuredly."
"But," the colonel said as he rose, "since you refuse our offers, and mymission is now accomplished, I need only withdraw, after begging topardon the loss of time I have occasioned you; for you _do_ refuse, Ithink?"
Don Antonio had turned green; his small grey eyes, obstinately fixed onthe papers the colonel toyed with, sparkled like live coals.
"Permit me," he said stammering.
"Eh? Can I be mistaken, senor?"
"I--I--I fancy you are."
"This time, bear in mind, we must understand each other thoroughly, inorder to avoid any future misunderstanding, which might entail regret."
"Be at your ease. I believe there will no longer be any misapprehensionbetween us. An affair, as you know, does not always strike a man at thefirst glance."
"That is true; but now you fully understand it?"
"Perfectly."
"All the better. Now we can have a frank explanation."
"Yes," Don Antonio said, with a mocking accent; "and, to begin, SenorGarrucholo, doff for a moment your borrowed character, for I like toknow with whom I am dealing."
El Garrucholo, for the ex-bandit was really hidden under ColonelFrancisco Flores, shuddered involuntarily at finding himself thusdetected. He cast a viper's glance at the man who had unmasked him, andseized him fiercely by the arm.
"Take care, Don Antonio, there are secrets which kill those who holdthem."
"That is possible, my master," the other answered, triumphing in hisheart at the effect his revelation had produced. "But as, if I am notmistaken, we are about to complete together a very dirty transaction, Iwished to prove to you that, if you held my secret, I had yours; andthat it is to your interest to deal fairly by me."
"Threatened persons live a long time," the bandit said with a shrug ofhis shoulders.
"I do not threaten; I merely take my precautions--that is all. Now, letus converse."
The two men drew their chairs together and commenced a conversation, earto ear, in so low a voice that no one could have overheard them.