My luck is good in truth, for it has been one of the great sorrows of my life that you have so often escaped me, renegade.

Be sure that this time there shall be no escape.' 'I know well that there will be no escape for one or other of us, Juan de Garcia,' I answered.

'Now we play the last round of the game, but do not boast, for God alone knows to whom the victory shall be given.

You have prospered long, but a day may be at hand when your prosperity shall cease with your breath.

To your errand, Juan de Garcia.' For a moment he sat silent, pulling at his pointed beard, and watching him I thought that I could see the shadow of a half-forgotten fear creep into his eyes.