like to lose time, so he attended to business in the intervals of
the game or while dealing the cards. Meanwhile, the bored secretary
yawned and despaired. That morning he had worked, as usual, over
transfers, suspensions of employees, deportations, pardons, and the
like, but had not yet touched the great question that had stirred so
much interest--the petition of the students requesting permission to
establish an academy of Castilian. Pacing from one end of the room to
the other and conversing animatedly but in low tones were to be seen
Don Custodio, a high official, and a friar named Padre Fernandez, who
hung his head with an air either of meditation or annoyance. From an
adjoining room issued the click of balls striking together and bursts
of laughter, amid which might be heard the sharp, dry voice of Simoun,
who was playing billiards with Ben-Zayb.

Suddenly Padre Camorra arose. "The devil with this game, _puñales!_"
he exclaimed, throwing his cards at Padre Irene's head. "_Puñales_,
that trick, if not all the others, was assured and we lost by
default! _Puñales!_ The devil with this game!"

He explained the situation angrily to all the occupants of the sala,
addressing himself especially to the three walking about, as if he had
selected them for judges. The general played thus, he replied with
such a card, Padre Irene had a certain card; he led, and then that
fool of a Padre Irene didn't play his card! Padre Irene was giving
the game away! It was a devil of a way to play! His mother's son had
not come here to rack his brains for nothing and lose his money!

Then he added, turning very red, "If the booby thinks my money grows
on every bush!... On top of the fact that my Indians are beginning to
haggle over payments!" Fuming, and disregarding the excuses of Padre