of. Let there be just one, one who, according
to Padre Irene, was the servant of Capitan Tiago--there'll be no one
to enter a complaint--"

"Servant and student?" asked his Excellency. "That fellow, then! Let
it be he!"

"Your Excellency will pardon me," observed the high official, who
happened to be present, "but I've been told that this boy is a medical
student and his teachers speak well of him. If he remains a prisoner
he'll lose a year, and as this year he finishes--"

The high official's interference in behalf of Basilio, instead
of helping, harmed him. For some time there had been between this
official and his Excellency strained relations and bad feelings,
augmented by frequent clashes.

"Yes? So much the greater reason that he should be kept prisoner;
a year longer in his studies, instead of injuring him, will do good,
not only to himself but to all who afterwards fall into his hands. One
doesn't become a bad physician by extensive practise. So much the
more reason that he should remain! Soon the filibustering reformers
will say that we are not looking out for the country!" concluded his
Excellency with a sarcastic laugh.

The high official realized that he had made a false move and took
Basilio's case to heart. "But it seems to me that this young man is
the most innocent of all," he rejoined rather timidly.

"Books have been seized in his possession," observed the secretary.

"Yes, works on medicine and pamphlets written by Peninsulars, with
the leaves uncut, and besides, what does that signify? Moreover,
this young man was not present at the banquet in the _pansiteria_,
he hasn't mixed up in anything. As I've said, he's the most innocent--"

"So much the better!" exclaimed his Excellency jocosely. "In that
way the punishment will prove more salutary and exemplary, since it
inspires greater terror. To govern is to act in this way, my dear
sir, as it is often expedient to sacrifice the welfare of one to the
welfare of many. But I'm doing more--from the welfare of one will
result the welfare of all, the principle of endangered authority is
preserved, prestige is respected and maintained. By this act of mine
I'm correcting my own and other people's faults."

The high official restrained himself with an effort and, disregarding
the allusion, decided to take another tack. "But doesn't your
Excellency fear the--responsibility?"

"What have I to fear?" rejoined the General impatiently. "Haven't
I discret