第23章

Three days had passed.At the close of the third, Don Jose was seated in a cosy private apartment of the San Mateo Hotel, where they had halted for an arranged interview with his lawyer before reaching San Francisco.From his window he could see the surrounding park-like avenues of oaks and the level white high road, now and then clouded with the dust of passing teams.But his eyes were persistently fixed upon a small copy of the American Constitution before him. Suddenly there was a quick rap on his door, and before he could reply to it a man brusquely entered.

Don Jose raised his head slowly, and recognized the landlord.But the intruder, apparently awed by the gentle, grave, and studious figure before him, fell back for an instant in an attitude of surly apology.

"Enter freely, my good Jenkinson," said Don Jose, with a quiet courtesy that had all the effect of irony."The apartment, such as it is, is at your disposition. It is even yours, as is the house.""Well, I'm darned if I know as it is," said the landlord, recovering himself roughly, "and that's jest what's the matter.Yer's that man of yours smashing things right and left in the bar- room and chuckin' my waiters through the window.""Softly, softly, good Jenkinson," said Don Jose, putting a mark in the pages of the volume before him."It is necessary first that I should correct your speech. He is not my 'MAN,' which I comprehend to mean a slave, a hireling, a thing obnoxious to the great American nation which I admire and to which HE belongs.Therefore, good Jenkinson, say 'friend,' 'companion,' 'guide,' philosopher,' if you will.As to the rest, it is of no doubt as you relate.I myself have heard the breakings of glass and small dishes as I sit here; three times I have seen your waiters projected into the road with much violence and confusion.To myself I have then said, even as I say to you, good Jenkinson, 'Patience, patience, the end is not far.' In four hours," continued Don Jose, holding up four fingers, "he shall make a finish. Until then, not.""Well, I'm d--d," ejaculated Jenkinson, gasping for breath in hisindignation.

"Nay, excellent Jenkinson, not dam-ned but of a possibility dam- AGED. That I shall repay when he have make a finish.""But, darn it all," broke in the landlord angrily.

"Ah," said Don Jose gravely, "you would be paid before! Good; for how much shall you value ALL you have in your bar?"Don Jose's imperturbability evidently shook the landlord's faith in the soundness of his own position.He looked at his guest critically and audaciously.

"It cost me two hundred dollars to fit it up," he said curtly.

Don Jose rose, and, taking a buckskin purse from his saddle-bag, counted out four slugs* and handed them to the stupefied Jenkinson.The next moment, however, his host recovered himself, and casting the slugs back on the little table, brought his fist down with an emphasis that made them dance.

* Hexagonal gold pieces valued at $50 each, issued by a private firm as coin in the early days.

"But, look yer--suppose I want this thing stopped--you hear me-- STOPPED--now.""That would be interfering with the liberty of the subject, my good Jenkinson--which God forbid!" said Don Jose calmly."Moreover, it is the custom of the Americanos--a habit of my friend Roberto--a necessity of his existence--and so recognized of his friends.Patience and courage, Senor Jenkinson.Stay--ah, I comprehend! you have--of a possibility--a wife?""No, I'm a widower," said Jenkinson sharply.

"Then I congratulate you.My friend Roberto would have kissed her.It is also of his habit.Truly you have escaped much.I embrace you, Jenkinson."He threw his arms gravely around Jenkinson, in whose astounded face at last an expression of dry humor faintly dawned.After a moment's survey of Don Jose's impenetrable gravity, he coolly gathered up the gold coins, and saying that he would assess the damages and return the difference, he left the room as abruptly as he had entered it.

But Don Jose was not destined to remain long in peaceful study of the American Constitution.He had barely taken up the book again and renewed his serious contemplation of its excellences when there was another knock at his door.This time, in obedience to his invitation to enter, the new visitor approached with more deliberation and a certain formality.

He was a young man of apparently the same age as Don Jose, handsomely dressed, and of a quiet self-possession and gravity almost equal to his host's.