"Very good! Poor dear Miramón! He is in a very bad way, then?"
"The worse for him is, that the clergy, who promised at the outset to come to his assistance, have now refused their help."
"But," the guerillero remarked, ironically, "how is it that you are so well informed, my dear sir?"
"Do you not know that I am attaché to the Spanish Embassy?"
"That is true--I forgot it; pray excuse me. What more do you know?"
"The ranks of the partisans of the president are daily growing thinner: his old friends are abandoning him. Hence, in order to raise him slightly in public opinion, he has resolved to attempt a sortie, and attack General Berriozábal's division."
"Thanks! We will be on our guard. Is that all?"
"Not yet. Reduced, as I told you, to the last extremity, and wishing to procure money--no matter by what means, Miramón has resolved to imitate the robbery of the conducta of 'Laguna Seca,' effected by your party."
"I know," the colonel interrupted, rubbing his hands. "It was I who carried out that _negotiation_. Unfortunately," he added, with a sigh of regret, "such hauls are rare."
"Miramón has therefore resolved," don Antonio continued, "to carry off the money of the Convention, which is at this moment at the British Legation."
"That is a superb idea! Those fiends of heretics will be furious! Who is the man of genius who suggested to him this idea, which will infallibly ruin him with England? For the gringos do not understand jests in money matters."
"I am aware of it: and hence the idea was suggested through my influence!"
"Señor!" the guerillero said majestically; "In this instance you have deserved well of your country. But the amount cannot be large?"
"Six hundred and sixty thousand piastres (£132,000)."
"Caray!" he exclaimed, with conviction; "I lay down my arms before him. He is stronger than I. The affair of the Laguna Seca was nothing in comparison. But with this sum, hang it all! He will be in a condition to recommence the war."
"It is too late now; we have arranged for that, and the money will be spent in a few days," don Antonio remarked with an ugly smile: "trust to us for that."
"Such, for the present, is all the information it is possible for me to give you; I consider it tolerably important."