l your worship, Senor Monipodio,
see what you have for us to do, as it is getting late, and the heat is
coming on at more than a foot-pace."

"What you have now to do is this," rejoined Monipodio: "Every one is to
return to his post of the week, and is not to change it until Sunday. We
will then meet here again, and make the distribution of all that shall
have come in, without defrauding any one. To Rinconete and Cortadillo I
assign for their district, until Sunday, from the Tower of Gold, all
without the city, and to the postern of the Alcazar, where they can work
with their fine flowers.[47] I have known those who were much less
clever than they appear to be, come home daily with more than twenty
reals in small money, to say nothing of silver, all made with a single
pack, and that four cards short. Ganchuelo will show them the limits of
their district, and even though they should extend it as far as to San
Sebastian, or Santelmo, there will be no great harm done, although it is
perhaps of more equal justice that none should enter on the domain of
another."

[47] Tricks of cheatery at cards.

The two boys kissed his hand in acknowledgment of the favour he was
doing them; and promised to perform their parts zealously and
faithfully, and with all possible caution and prudence.

Monipodio then drew from the hood of his cloak a folded paper, on which
was the list of the brotherhood, desiring Rinconete to inscribe his name
thereon, with that of Cortadillo; but as there was no escritoire in the
place, he gave them the paper to take with them, bidding them enter the
first apothecary's shop they could find, and there write what was
needful: "Rinconete, and Cortadillo," namely, "comrades; novitiate,
none; Rinconete, a florist; Cortadillo, a bassoon-player."[48] To this
was to be added the year, month, and day, but not the parents or
birthplace.

[48] Cutpurse.

At this moment one of the old hornets came in and said, "I come to tell
your worships that I have just now met on the steps, Lobillo[49] of
Malaga, who tells me that he has made such progress in his art as to be
capable of cheating Satan himself out of his money, if he have but clean
cards. He is so ragged and out of condition at this moment, that he
dares not instantly make his appearance to register himself, and pay his
respects as usual, but will be here without fail on Sunday."

[49] The wolf-cub.

"I have always been convinced," said Monipodio, "that Lobil