erstands the business," remarked Chiquiznaque.
"One can easily see that he does not remember the proverb which says:
'He who loves Beltran, loves his dog likewise.'"

"But what has this proverb to do with the matter?" inquired the
gentleman.

"Why, is it not the same thing as to say, 'He who loves Beltran ill,
loves his dog ill too?' Now the master is Beltran, whom you love ill,
and the servant is his dog; thus in giving the cut to the dog I have
given it to Beltran, and our part of the agreement is fulfilled; the
work has been properly done, and nothing remains but to pay for it on
the spot and without further delay."

"That is just what I am ready to swear to," cried Monipodio; "and you,
friend Chiquiznaque, have taken all that you have said from my mouth;
wherefore let not your worship, Senor gallant, be making difficulties
out of trifles with your friends and servants. Take my advice and pay us
what is our due. After that, if your worship would like to have another
cut given to the master, of as many stitches as the space can contain,
consider that they are already sewing up the wound."

"If it be so," said the gentleman, "I will very willingly pay the whole
sum."

"Make no more doubt of it than of my being a good Christian, for
Chiquiznaque will set the mark on his face so neatly, that he shall seem
to have been born with it."

"On this promise, then, and with this assurance," replied the gentleman,
"receive this chain in pledge for the twenty ducats before agreed on,
and for forty other ducats which I will give you for the cut that is to
come. The chain weighs a thousand reals, and it may chance to remain
with you altogether, as I have an idea that I shall want fourteen
stitches more before long."

Saying this, he took a chain from his neck, and put it into the hands of
Monipodio, who found immediately by the weight and touch that it was not
gold made by the chemist, but the true metal. He received it accordingly
with great pleasure and much courtesy, for Monipodio was particularly
well-bred. The execution of the work to be done for it was committed to
Chiquiznaque, who declared that it should be delayed no longer than till
the arrival of night. The gentleman then departed, well satisfied with
his bargain.

Monipodio now summoned the confraternity from the hiding places into
which their terror had driven them. When all had entered, he placed
himself in the midst of them, drew forth a memorandum book from