’It was past midnight ere the bank closed, and I rose the winner of some ten ounces.  Not being at all ambitious of exciting the cupidity of the less fortunate brethren around me, I was very particular in intrusting all my money to the croupier and taking his receipt for it, payable to my order.  This precaution settled in the most public manner, I bade my friends good night.

’At the foot of the stairs I found General Valiente waiting for me, apparently, for he accosted me in the most gracious tone, and bowed with the most exquisite air of well-bred politeness.

’’Believe me, Senor Rideau, I feel extremely mortified about that little affair of the counterfeit dollars.’

’’You are altogether too considerate, General, to think about the matter in any way.’

’’O Senor! such a circumstance jars upon my feelings; those confounded villains! we must have a strong government, and make an example of some of them.  I feel anxious to make amends to you—­something more than a mere apology.  Now an idea struck me as I came down-stairs.  Will you oblige me by allowing me to buy the spurious dollars?  Well, now, suppose I give you four good ones, it will be so much out of the fire.’

’’Willingly, General, most willingly; but the fact is, I can only return you twelve; I have a particular use for the other three.’

’’Ah! you sly rogue, you passed off three on the croupier, eh?  Well, that is not so bad.’

’’General, you flatter me too highly.  I assure you I have a special purpose for three of them.’

‘’Oh! well,’ said he, ’it is not of the least importance; I happen to have four dollars in my pocket, and I will give them to you in exchange for your twelve, rather than see a friend lose all.’

’’General, I thank you a thousand times; here are your twelve counterfeits.’

’’O Senor! pray do not mention thanks; between caballeros, there is no need for thanks; I have only done the right thing; here are four genuine dollars.  Good-night—­pleasant dreams.’

’Half-past twelve was striking as I reached, without further adventure, the door of my habitation.

‘’Who is there?’ cried I, as I suddenly beheld, a few steps from the door, wrapped in a large cloak, leaning against the railing, a tall man.

’The unknown made no reply.  I therefore stepped back and drew out my revolver.  Dialogues carried on by knives and fire-arms are by no means of rare occurrence at mid-night in the streets of Mexico; but I was anxious, ere proceeding to extremities, to have a good look at my antagonist.  Although the Cathedral Square was illumined by a magnificent moonlight, still I could not succeed.  His hat was forced down over his brow; his ample cloak was raised, and the folds covered the lower portion of his face entirely.  I could distinguish only a pair of glaring eyes, and also discover that his long hair, which nearly reached his shoulders, was almost perfectly white.