"THE FENCING MASTER" "No, Don Gustavo." "Fencing is an art not a fight between farmhands." "If a gentleman must kill to protect his honour then he must do so with dignity." "You understand?" "En garde." "Remember, the hilt should be held as if it were a bird." "Gently, so as not to crush it but firmly enough that it doesn't fly off." "Good morning, Sr. Salanova." "Morning, Don Jaime." "Hi, grandpa." "Besides fencing, you teach them rhetoric." "If the treatise you are writing is as inspired as your vocabulary it will make delightful reading." "I'm afraid it will be very technical full of trigonometry and physics." "I've just received this." "'Les Diaboliques'." "It would amuse you." "Imagine, the principal character is a woman who is also a gifted fencer." "Love and fencing, what a combination!" "A writer's fantasy, sir." "Those two foils will never meet." " Which?" " Fencing and love." "I won't detain you." "I was on my way to the bank." "Goodbye, sir." "Gentlemen, please." "Let us continue." "You may not like it, but the monarchy is coming to an end." "Our friend here is right." "Prim will be here soon." "Prim is an officer and a patriot." "A monarchist." "I'm certainly no monarchist, but I am a patriot!" "You're no patriot!" "This is intolerable!" "Not again!" "Shout as much as you like, Mr. Journalist but have some respect for my crockery!" "Forgive me, Sra." "Julia." "Be assured of my utmost respect." "Are you in pain?" " His heart." " My stomach." "Have something soothing." "A cup of tea, some barley water..." " Later, perhaps." " Fine." "I'll have a coffee and some toast, Sra." "Julia." "Right away." "I'll cut you a nice fresh slice." "What a woman!" "Pity she's married to such a brute, isn't it?" "The truth is, Don Lucas this country's patience is fast running out." "Isabella's prime ministers would make anyone blush." "No wonder, they're chosen in the bedroom." "Slander!" "Slander?" "Nevertheless, the Masons feel that she has now exceeded the limits of what can be tolerated." "The Queen, however is a witted and spirited woman." "And much inclined to bedroom frolicks." "Who are you to dare judge our Queen?" "Your Queen, Don Lucas." "As you wish." "She is whimsical, fickle, superstitious and other things I'll not mention to avoid offending Don Jaime." "This is the limit!" "Say something, you're a sensible man." "I can only argue about fencing, Don Lucas." "Fencing?" "Who thinks about fencing when the monarchy is crumbling?" "I do." "Long live Prim!" "Down with the Queen!" "Damn the Bourbons!" " Down with the Queen!" " Out with the Bourbons!" "Long live Prim!" "Long live the Republic!" "Hurry, Lucia." " Wait here." " Yes, Srta." "Sr. Astarloa?" "First floor, Ma'am." "Get back to your work." " Wait here for me." " Yes, Ma'am." "Madam?" "Will you give shelter to a frightened woman?" "Come in." "Excuse me for a moment." "Please, sit down." "My grandfather." "An interesting man." "He was a great example to me." "He died fighting against Napoleon's troops." " You've seen the turmoil?" " Yes, I've seen it." "It doesn't seem to frighten you." "No, it doesn't." "I have just arrived in Madrid." "I checked all the necessary information before coming." "You are the best fencing master in Madrid." "I have also been informed that you have created a famous thrust which you are willing to teach for 200 escudos." "I wish to hire your services." "Very well." "Since you are alone, who is to be my pupil?" "I am." "I wish to learn that thrust." "You're willing to teach it?" "Yes... but not to a..." "woman." "I can fence." "That is not the point, Madam." "To accept a woman as a pupil..." "No, impossible." "If it's the loss of your prestige you fear you may come to my residence." "I'm preparing a room." "For myself, I would prefer discretion." "I'm afraid I do not teach women." "I'm sorry." "Perhaps someone more flexible." "I'll pay you 400 escudos if you will teach me that thrust." "Is that enough?" "I'm not haggling, Madam." "I simply teach my methods to those whom I deem proper." "I'm sorry." "Very well." "I won't take up any more of your time." "...I would like to see your famous collection of arms." "May I?" "Although I'm only a woman?" "Follow me." " I feel as if I have gone..." " Back two centuries?" "Into a world... kept secret." "What a beautiful ring!" "A gift from my master, Lucien de Montespan." "Delightful!" "Two intertwined foils." "You appear to like French foils." "So do I." "I like to feel freedom in my fingers." ""La doigtee" as they say." "A perfect position." "I know." "Take one." "Take it." "Put a mask on." " What are you doing?" " My shoe is tight." "Can I help you?" "Do you like me?" "Yes." "What could you do?" "Stop in quarte and use a flanking thrust." "At what risk?" "Receive a seconde." "Or?" "A low quarte." "Is this a test?" "It is." "Start tomorrow?" " At my residence?" " As you wish." "Touche." "Maestro, let's leave it for today." "I'm not in the mood." "Let's try again tomorrow." "I feel like a penitent." "It's not your fault but mine for having sinned." "Fencing is like taking Communion, Marquis." "One must be in the right state of mind." "Maestro, I must take a note of that." "You probably think I went to a party last night." "No, actually I attended a political meeting." "They want me to sit in Congress." "And have you accepted?" "Certainly not." "I much prefer a casino gambling table and smiling eyes on the way out of Mass." "Are you in love again?" "Not at all." "Just like a caress." "Do you like playing cards." "I've never touched a deck." "I'm a man without vices." "You say it as if you were doomed." "You hold the world at bay with your foil don't you?" "And yet my foreign friends tell me that you used to enjoy challenges, amorous adventures when you lived in Paris, Rome or St. Petersburg." "Love, like any other art, is just a matter of practice." "Ah, like fencing." "Like fencing." "Don Perlimpin had no equal while he danced" "He wished to learn fencing to appear so very fierce" "He met Dona Sempruna and was love's prey" "A most happy man he was on asking for her hand" "No time was lost, and soon they were married." " Hello." " Come in." "I'll show you where you can change." "Forgive me, I'm late." "Not at all, I'm early." "What do you think of it?" "Perfect." "I'll be right with you." "Very well, Madam." "Good morning, maestro." "Good morning." " Whenever you're ready." " Your mask." " Why not unmasked?" " Because I'm the teacher." "Salute." "En garde." "If you must touch me, go ahead." "Treat me as one of your pupils, maestro." "Let's continue." "Hold." "Follow my instructions." "Unmasked you could have been killed." "I want no consideration while I hold a foil." " My apologies." " Let us continue." "May I?" "Come in, Don Jaime." "Hello, Don Agapito." "We haven't seen much of you lately." "We certainly miss your wit." "I've no time for idle gossip." "Here, read this." "Prim has left London?" "He's on his way and he won't be bowing to the Queen." "She has left in a flurry for the seaside with Marfori, of course, her latest lover." "Yes, you make an allusion to it here." "An allusion?" ""The rooster runs after the rushing hen."" ""Does she run out of lewdness or fright?"" "A good metaphor, isn't it?" "You're the one who is not frightened to make such daring comments." "Daring?" "Holy indignation!" "Holy, did you say?" "I forgot you used to be a priest." " You should forget it!" " Very well." "Let's change the subject." " Agreed?" " Alright." "How's your love life?" "Let's talk politics." "Come on, Carceles, you hide your passion for the cafe owner with more zeal than your seditious articles." "Let's talk politics." "Forgive me." "I doubt that Prim will attack the monarchy." "I agree with Don Lucas on that point." "Then history will overlook him!" "Revolution is here!" "Will you build a guillotine at the town gates?" "Yes, sir, a guillotine!" "I'm tired of writing pamphlets against the Bourbons!" "Yes, guillotine!" "The Queen!" "Guillotined!" "Her lovers!" "Guillotined!" "The King's lovers, the ministers - guillotined!" "And the bishops who surround them!" "Guillotined!" "Guillotined!" "The whole lot of them!" "Guillotined!" "Is that all?" "Yes, sir!" " Let's have lunch." " Lunch?" "Yes." "I have some work to do, but it can wait." "You'll have to pay." "Don't worry." "I have a new pupil." "Touche." "You also use a sabre?" "Yes, I do, maestro." "I'd give my best foil to know the name of your fencing master." "A woman must be mysterious to be attractive." "A normal woman, perhaps." "And I'm not?" "Don't be so unfair as to change the subject." "One can never be unfair enough with men." "I'd willingly send my card and my seconds to the man who gave you such a biased opinion of our sex." "It's the best compliment I ever had." "You'll have to change in my boudoir." "The upholsterers are here, a true revolution." "Very well." "I'll go and change." "A novel about love and fencing." "Have you read it?" "No, I don't read novels." "It's better to live them." "But at my age... age and selfishness come hand in hand." "One hides behind manias and forgets to live." "I've discovered a wonderful goldsmith." "I'd like to have him copy your ring." "Think about it." "When will you teach me the thrust, maestro?" "Let us say the day after tomorrow." "Will you continue your lessons?" "I must arrange my schedule." "Do you have many students?" "Less than before." "Fencing is no longer fashionable." "By the way the Italian fencing master Capoferrato will be giving a lecture next week." "I'd be happy to take you." "Thank you." "I nearly forgot!" "There's a garden party at the British Embassy." "I hope there'll be a lady worthy of such sacrifices." "I'm sure the Ambassador will mention your collection." "You know how the British like to fill their museums with spoils." "What shall I tell him?" "The usual." "I'm not selling." "He doesn't understand." "How can a Latin, nearly an African resist the power of the Pound Sterling?" "Why, maestro?" " You look like a new man." " Why?" "Your tie, your moustache..." "I get the impression you've had it curled." "Nonsense!" "I think there's a lady somewhere." "At my age, Marquis?" "Now, pay attention." "Your adversary had answered with a flying tip." "You respond the same way." "Good." "This is decisive." "I hesitate for a fraction of a second as if I were about to make a feint and were preparing an unexpected thrust." "You do not complete your first parry as you're getting ready for the next one." "And that's my mistake." "Quite so." "Because, you see, I follow my first feint and turn it into a thrust." "I shorten the distance, flick my wrist and touch you at the base of the neck." "...in the middle of the throat." "How wonderfully simple!" "What is it?" "Lovely, my violet water." "Do you feel better?" "Yes... it's passed." "I have something for you." "I'll take it to him tomorrow." " He said he'd need a week." " There's no hurry." "My hair feels so tight." "Would you mind removing my comb?" "A short thrust and a flick of the wrist." "Did you ever use it to kill someone?" "Years ago, in Paris." "An insolent Prussian." "He insulted Montespan, who was crippled by then." "I do not feel especially proud of it." "I'm leaving." "You must rest." "No, don't go." "I'd like to know you better." "Forgive me for making so bold but I have a question." "Were you ever in love?" "Several times." "Several times?" "I see." "No, maestro, I mean have you ever been really in love?" "Once, in Paris." "Many years ago." "Was she pretty?" "Yes, she was." "Forgive me, but this..." "Who left who, Don Jaime?" "After four years, I forced her to choose." "She did." " She was married?" " She was." "You are a clever woman." "What did you do?" "I settled my affairs and came back to Madrid." "You see?" "There's always a story to tell." "I must go, Madam." "Until tomorrow, maestro." "Don't forget you're taking me to the lecture." "Down with oppression!" "Long love Prim!" "Long live the Republic!" "Don Jaime!" " Hello, Marquis!" " Get in, maestro." "Let's go!" "Hurry!" "Charge!" "Who do you teach around here?" "A lady, sir." "You don't say!" "A lady and an excellent fencer." "Extraordinary." "Your discretion even more so." "Truly extraordinary." "Since when?" "Two or three weeks." "She's not from Madrid." "No?" "I'd like to meet her." "She must be pretty." "And free." "She is very pretty." "And free?" "Well, I don't know." "You're a real devil, maestro." "I guessed there was something." "Where shall I take you?" "I was going home." "Join me for lunch." "I promise not to pry." "Felipe, to Lhardy!" "An elastic hand, an iron arm!" "Ladies and gentlemen Italian and French fencing masters have always had the same obsession." "Each and every one of them have always looked for the perfect thrust that none could stop." "I believe, my honourable friends that we Italians invented a graceful art over 200 years ago." "The French have turned this art into something worthy of any court." "But the English want to make a sport out of it." "What a tremendous mistake, my dear friends!" "It is as unexpected as inadmissible!" "To attempt to lower the noble art..." "Who is the gentleman?" "Luis de Ayala." " Marquis of Alumbres?" " The very same." "You've heard of him, then?" "I've heard he's a very good fencer." "I'd love to cross foils with him." "Will you mention it to him?" "Why must we accept the barbarous ways imposed upon us which modern society is quick to embrace?" "What do they offer?" "A duel with pistols!" "I'm sure he will enjoy fencing with a woman." "We must fight such perversion if we still believe that fencing is an art worthy of great artists men of honour and fiery hearts." "Thank you, my friends." "Very interesting." "Yes, quite so." "One moment." "Maestro..." "my dear maestro Astarloa." "My dear friend." "Did you enjoy my lecture?" "Congratulations." "Your words reflected your love for a disappearing art." "Allow me to introduce you to a lady." "My respects, Madam." "How do you do, Sir?" "Don Jaime..." "Madam is not at home." "She went to the country." "I'll call back tomorrow." "Touche, Don Isidro." "Burn the Queen!" "Burn the King!" "What if there's a revolution?" "With that rabble?" "Down with Marfori!" "Marfori to the gallows!" "Marfori to the gallows!" "Inside, gentlemen." "I'm here to teach you fencing not to meddle in the affairs of State." "I've heard six generals have been arrested." "Serrano will go from her Majesty's chamber to a nice cell in jail." "Who's Marfori?" "The Queen's lover, idiot!" "See to your gloves." "But she's found another at the seaside." "The gossip was all over the casino." "You frequent the casino?" "Occasionally." "I am nineteen, Don Jaime." "If grandpa knew it..." "Your masks, gentlemen." "By the way your friend Luis de Ayala was at the casino with a lady." "A beauty." "Her ring had two foils." "Don't you know that gossip doesn't amuse Don Jaime?" "What interest could he have in a woman who he will probably never meet?" "Continue with your lesson, maestro." "En garde." "Don Jaime, a lady called for you." "I asked her to wait." "Did I do wrong?" "My mistress asked me to hand this to you." "She won't be fencing today?" "Tell your mistress the lessons are cancelled." "This figure is incorrect." "She received three lessons this month, not nine." "Excuse me a moment." "This is a payment order for 300 reales." "My regards to your mistress." "It's not only what you've taught me." "You have left me unforgettable memories." "The clouds won't leave, Don Agapito... they're like the Queen." "How are your finances, Don Jaime?" "How much do you need?" "Anything will do." "I'll repay you when they pay me." "These are difficult times." "It's terrible to be without hope." "What about the revolution?" "I didn't mean that." "Why not kidnap her?" "Kidnap her?" "Dona Julia is driving you mad." "You stand beneath her window as soon as her husband leaves." "What can I do?" "Break down her door throw yourself at her feet seduce her, dishonour her." "Kidnap her!" "Kill her husband!" "Are you serious?" "Do something heroical or ridiculous, but do something!" "Have you any loose change?" "To buy some peanuts." "Yes, here." "Come in, Sr. Astarloa." "Astarloa..." "Basque family of noble lineage." "Coat of Arms: eight gold chains in an orle." "Your motto:" "To me." "You've come for yourself?" "Not for myself, Don Cosme." "I would like you to study this emblem and tell me to whom it belongs." "An emblem used to be a proof of nobility." "But now, even shops have them." "Worse still, Masons." "This bird with the head of a woman known in antiquity as a harpy is not necessarily a favourable sign." "Nor beneficial." "You refuse to study it?" "Not at all." "I'm interested, but I'll need time." " There's no hurry." " Good." "Ahmed, show Don Jaime out." "Tell the Marquis I'll be there at nine." "Very well, Sir." "Hello, Don Jaime." "Isidro, how are you?" " Better than ever, Sir." " I'm glad." "No, thank you." "You're such a frugal man!" "I'll have some more." "I have sober habits." "Such a pity, it's delicious." "But I do understand." "You wish to know why I sent for you?" "How did you meet Adela de Otero?" "She was unknown to me until she called and requested my services." " And then?" " Then?" "Do you know any of her friends, her family?" "No." "I never paid much attention." "I don't go out a lot." "I do." "Do you recall if she mentioned me before you introduced us?" "I did not introduce you." "But she knew of your professional reputation." "Have I said something funny?" "It is very strange." "I was sent an invitation to the lecture but no one knows who sent it." "She is also an excellent fencer." "Pardon?" "Come with me." "I wish to entrust to you something of vital importance to me." " Will you accept?" " Of course." "I have used this old fencing book for the purpose." "It won't look out of place in your home." "A La Faugere!" "A La Faugere." "Why choose me, Sir?" "You're the only honest man I know." "You can't come in." "I'm a friend." "The Marquis expects me." "Please come this way." "Please wait." "Sir, it's the fencing master." "I'm Chief Inspector Jenaro Campillo." "And you are, Sir?" "Jaime de Astarloa, fencing master." "I give fencing lessons to the Marquis." "Your pupil will leave much to be desired today, I fear." "Please..." "Can you think of any possible motive for this killing?" "Robbery?" "Nothing of value appears to be missing." "Somebody's searched through the study forced the locks and rummaged through his papers." "They even found this secret drawer." "But did they find what they were looking for?" "Tell me, did the Marquis seem any different to you over the last few weeks?" "Maybe the political situation..." "I don't think politics interested him." "And married women?" "I know nothing of his personal life." "The Marquis was a gentleman." "Crime knows no gentlemen." "Yours is a sad profession." "Don't misunderstand me." "We're on the verge of civil war." "And now this!" "Did he fence with anyone else?" "Not that I know of, but I can't say for certain." "The murder weapon was a foil." "You knew, right?" "Yes." "Good morning." "Ah, hello, Don Jaime." "You startled me." "The Lord save me." "That's ironic coming from an atheist!" "The remains of my obscurantist youth." "Don Agapito, I need your advice." "Are you in danger?" "I have some papers I can't quite understand." "What kind of papers?" "I don't know, but they may be useful for your articles." "I'm writing a great piece against the Bourbons." "I look forward to reading it." "I'm not forgetting the Hapsburgs either." "Prim must already be in Spain but our ruler says he's still in London!" "Come in, Don Agapito." "Oh, my God!" "Pick them up, please." "Are these the papers?" "I'm sure they have something to do with politics." "You've never bothered about politics." "This bothers me." "What do you think?" "Well..." "I've got a feeling..." "Oh, good Lord..." "What is it?" "For God's sake, this could be..." "Who is involved?" "Who?" "Are you expecting someone?" "Forgive me, Sir, but it's about Dona Adela." "I went to see her maid." "I was to take her out." "The door was open." "I called out, but no one answered." "I didn't dare go in or call the police." "I'll be right with you." "I must go." "Go ahead, don't worry." " I shouldn't be too long." " Fine." "Sir, look!" "My God, it's blood." "Put your foil away, Sr. Astarloa." "At ten this morning you came to Sr. de Ayala's residence where we had found a corpse but no killer." "A few hours later I find you here at Sra." "Otero's where there has been a killing but no corpse." "I could once play an aubade." "Let me see..." "No, that's not it." "My grandmother had me take piano lessons." "I take it you know Sra." "Otero?" "Yes, she used to be one of my pupils." "Used to be?" "She cancelled her lessons a month ago." "Why?" "I don't know." "I didn't ask." "Were you aware she was often seen with Sr. de Ayala?" "I had been told." "Did you introduce them?" "No." "Why didn't you mention it this morning?" " It seemed irrelevant." " Really?" "Even though she was also your pupil?" "She is a beginner." "The Marquis was an expert." "It didn't help him much." "Is there nothing you can tell me about her?" "Shouldn't you be looking for her instead of questioning me?" "She could be in danger." "It was such a pretty aubade." "I believe it was in F." "Don Agapito, it's me." "TRUST ME" "Don Agapito?" "Are you there?" "Oh, my God..." "Please, have mercy on me!" "I've told you all I know." "Who did this to you?" "I don't have anything else." " Where are the papers?" " That's all I have." "I don't have that letter." "Ask Astarloa." "What letter?" "Who will ask me for a letter?" "I've told you everything." "Ask Astarloa." "Please..." "Who will ask me?" "Who?" "!" "I'll take care of him!" "Hurry!" "The Longo family was disloyal to the Duke of Savoy." "He avenged himself by adding a harpy to their emblem." "If I were you, Sr. Astarloa I'd keep my modest emblem from the Basque country and would discard doubtful foreign ones." "The Longo family re-established itself through trade." "Nothing to be proud of." "Treason cleansed by money." "I'll take your advice." "Thank you, Don Cosme." "My fee is 20 reales." "Money is despicable but it helps one to live." "Do you have a warrant to be here?" "No." "Young Isidro preferred to let me in before his mother could ask me anything." "Would you like a cigar?" "No, thank you." "The Marquis used to smoke these." "Yes, he was a man of exquisite taste especially with women." "Speaking of which, I followed your advice and found Sra." "Otero." "Perhaps you could identify her?" "She was found in the river, trapped by the reeds." "The current couldn't drag her body." "She's rather mutilated but I hope you'll be able to identify her." "In spite of her injuries there seems little doubt that it is Sra." "Otero." "Is it her?" "It's her." "I can see you tomorrow afternoon." "I must be at the palace in the morning." "The Queen is leaving the country." "A Revolutionary Junta will rule until Prim arrives." "With all this going on who cares about a crime of passion?" "Such is life:" "chaos, disorder, horror..." "You forgot God." "God tolerates the intolerable." "He is no gentleman." "What an idea!" "I'll expect you in my office tomorrow afternoon that's if we're not all dead by then." "Agapito Carceles was attacked last night." "It's becoming hazardous to be a friend of yours." "How is he?" "Bruised but alive." "May I drop you off?" "Thank you." "Please come this way." "Good morning, maestro." "Grandpa's decided to send us to Switzerland." "We'll be back, maestro." "We're taking our foils with us, so we can practice." "Good morning, Don Jaime." "Good morning, Sr. Salanova." "I hear the boys are leaving." "They must go." "Madrid's become a powder keg." "Your family's Coat of Arms?" "We're not of noble lineage." "It's the emblem of our Geneva bank." "My grandfather used to say money flies like a bird fast, unobtainable, fascinating and as enigmatic as a woman." "To Homer, harpies were the winds." "To others, they were hellish powers." "To be truthful that is why I so rarely use the emblem." "Grandpa, we're ready to go." "Be good... and write." "Monsieur de Mauriac will take good care of you." "And don't go to the casino!" "No, grandpa." "Off you go, Lucas." "You too should leave Madrid, maestro." "Do you think so?" "It's become a very dangerous city full of traps." "I can defend myself." "With a foil?" "It may be sufficient." "Thank you." "Two corpses... and a tortured man." "I tried not to get involved." "Thank heaven for that!" "This town would have been flattened!" "So you're telling me that the papers are in Salanova's hands?" "If he hasn't destroyed them." "Will you arrest him?" "A banker has resources to escape from justice." "Banker?" "You mean criminal!" "It's not easy to prove." "What about the letter that Carceles mentioned?" "Yes, that would be proof enough." "Whoever is responsible, Salanova or another thinks that you have the letter." "I'm afraid they'll do anything to get it back." "I think you should take a trip." "I don't agree." "Please try and understand." "These people are killers." "I can't even offer you official protection." "The Queen is leaving for France and Prim is about to arrive." "And you choose this time to play the hero." "An accident or a suicide is easy to fake and the fencing master will be no more." "Do me a favour and take this pistol." "If a man must kill, he must do it face to face." "Only cowards use firearms." "And the police!" "It's up to you." "You seem intent on ending up in the morgue!" "It's your business!" "Believe me, you don't belong here where people use a blunderbuss to settle arguments!" "Now, please go." "Although my honour forbids me from taking your advice I do appreciate your concern for my life." "Thank you, Chief Inspector." "You expected me?" "I suppose I did." "I feel I owe you an explanation." "May I?" "Original or copy?" "The original." "Who wore the copy?" "Your maid?" "It was a quick death no suffering." "Please believe me." "It was unavoidable." "And to allow you a most timely death." "I didn't come to discuss it." "What did you come for?" "For you... and I." "First at all I want you to know that everything I am I owe to a man." "I'm willing to do anything for him." "Even going down to hell?" "That's exactly what I had to do." "That man once said to me:" ""You are my most beautiful creation."" "I owed it to him." "That and much more." "He called me... he needed me." "He finally gave me the chance to show my gratitude." "Your love." "Love loyalty interest..." "Feelings are never pure, maestro." "Don't call me maestro." "Money is cautious and money is his business." "For a long time he played two hands Prim and the Queen." "Prim won." "Your friend... is a scoundrel." "You still believe in good and bad." "The only obstacle was Luis de Ayala." "He had documents, letters that proved his double game." "He wanted money for his silence." "Too much money." "Are you insinuating he was s blackmailer?" "Call it what you like." "He had debts he was clever and dangerous." "But he had his weaknesses." "Gambling, fencing and women." "And is this where we came into the scene?" "Yes." "I tried everything to obtain the papers." "But to no avail." "He called me a whore." "That's not why you killed him." "No." "That had already been decided." ""I'll kill you, Luis", I told him." "He took my challenge as a joke as if he were making love to me." "We crossed our blades." "He was sure of himself and smiled cynically." "He blew me a mocking kiss." "And then I looked him in the eyes and executed your thrust." "A short thrust with a flick of the wrist." "I searched i looked everywhere but the papers were not to be found." "Why did he entrust them to you?" "What about poor Carceles?" "He came on his own." "He brought the papers and wanted money." "His greed blinded him." "It always does." "I trusted him." "You trusted too many people." "Yes including you." "He didn't bring everything." "There's one more paper a letter with names." "The one you've kept." "I have no such letter but if I had, I would never turn it over to you." "Every man has his price." "And I know yours." "You want me." "I know it." "I've always known it." "Prim returns to Madrid!" "Latest edition!" "Prim is back in Madrid!" " Wait here." " Yes, Sir." " May I come in?" " Of course." "Thank you." "I need you to come along to my office to sign your new statement." "It's a mere formality." "What are you burning?" "The draft of a treatise on fencing which I have now abandoned." "Apparently, that letter stolen by the wind proves without doubt Salanova's involvement." "It is now in Prim's hands." "We'll return your foil as soon as we close the files on this case." "I am going to sell my weapon collection." "The British Ambassador has made me an offer." "Do you intend giving up fencing?" "I'm getting old." "I have less energy, less agility and less sight." "One could never tell." "Until this evening, eh?"