for it has been at the root of all this
trouble. And now, son, you can see how open I have been with you, for if
you marry Elsa that money will legally be your property, and I can only
claim whatever it may please you to give me. Well, as to that question,
in the spirit of the glorious motto of our race, 'Trust to God and me,'
I shall leave it to your sense of honour, which, whatever its troubles,
has never yet failed the house of Montalvo. What does it matter to
me who is the legal owner of the stuff, so long as it remains in the
family?"

"Of course not," replied Adrian, loftily, "especially as I am not
mercenary."

"Ah! well," went on Ramiro, "we have talked for a long while, and if I
continue to live there are affairs to which I ought to attend. You have
heard all I have to say, and you have the swords in your hand, and, of
course, I am--only your prisoner on parole. So now, my son, be so good
as to settle this matter without further delay. Only, if you make up
your mind to use the steel, allow me to show you where to thrust, as I
do not wish to undergo any unnecessary discomfort"--and he stood before
him and bowed in a very courtly and dignified fashion.

Adrian looked at him and hesitated. "I don't trust you," he said; "you
have tricked me once and I daresay that you will trick me again. Also I
don't think much of people who masquerade under false names and lay such
traps as you laid to get my evidence against the rest of them. But I am
in a bad place and without friends. I want to marry Elsa and recover my
position in the world; also, as you know well, I can't cut the throat of
my own father in cold blood," and he threw down one of the swords.

"Your decision is just such as I would have expected from my knowledge
of your noble nature, son Adrian," remarked Ramiro as he picked up his
weapon and restored it to the scabbard. "But now, before we enter upon
this perfect accord, I have two little stipulations to make on my side."

"What are they?" asked Adrian.

"First, that our friendship should be complete, such as ought to exist
between a loving father and son, a friendship without reservations.
Secondly--this is a condition that I fear you may find harder--but,
although fortune has led me into stony paths, and I fear some doubtful
expedients, there was always one thing which I have striven to cherish
and keep pure, and that in turn has rewarded me for my devotion in many
a dangerous hour, my religious belief