"Good-by."

The engineer had not yet taken his clothes out of the trunk when for the
third time the shrewd eyes and the crafty face of Uncle Licurgo appeared
in the door-way.

"I beg your pardon, Senor Don Jose," he said, displaying his brilliantly
white teeth in an affected smile, "but--I wanted to say that if you wish
to settle the matter by means of friendly arbitrations---- Although, as
the saying is, 'Ask other people's opinion of something that concerns
only yourself, and some will say it is white and others black.'"

"Will you get away from here, man?"

"I say that, because I hate the law. I don't want to have anything to
do with the law. Well, good-by, again, Senor Don Jose. God give you long
life to help the poor!"

"Good-by, man, good-by."

Pepe turned the key in the lock of the door, saying to himself:

"The people of this town appear to be very litigious."



CHAPTER V

WILL THERE BE DISSENSION?