human
Do you know, senhor, that I have seen the figure of that man before, said the latter to his master.
gpt
I caught a glimpse of his countenance, and as I am a sinner, and hope to be saved, it is no other than the hermit of Nossa Senhora da Pedra, and the holy padre Fre Lopez.
human
Thank Heaven, ejaculated Luis,
gpt
Who was that person?
human
A very great vagabond, senhor, but yet not near so great a villain as many who profess to be virtuous. I have known him for a long time, and if he could but resist temptation, he would be an honest man; and I would trust my life in his power, provided it was not his interest to take it.
gpt
If he is the man I supposed, he saved mine three days ago, returned Luis.
human
Is he not called Fre Diogo Lopez?
gpt
That is one of his names, to which he has as great a right as to the coat he now wears; but he is no friar, senhor; no, no, he is too honest for that; but if he is tempted to commit any piece of villainy, he assumes the character, as most appropriate for the purpose, he says. He once entered a monastery as a lay brother, where he learned all the habits and customs of the monks; but they did not accord with the ideas of morality he then entertained, so after a couple of years he quitted them, and has ever since wandered about the country in various disguises, as suits his purpose; but if the holy Inquisition get hold of him, I fear he will not be able to escape their clutches.
human
But has he given you any information that may be of service to us?
gpt
That is to be proved, said Antonio calmly;
human
I know the man from whose power the Frade saved your life, and who carried the lady off; a greater villain there does not exist in Lisbon. I have learned so much from our friend, though the difficulty will be to find this Rodrigo; and the chances are that he will adorn one of the newly-raised gibbets before long. I hope, however, to have an interview with him before that time; and then the sooner he is hung, the sooner will there be one villain less in the world.
gpt
Is this the only clue you have been able to discover? said Luis, dejectedly.
human
I fear that it will be of little service.
gpt
Fear not, senhor, answered Antonio:
human
Thank Heaven for that!
gpt
In the mean time, our friend the Frade is making inquiries which may assist us, continued Antonio.
human
And we will now, by your leave, find Captain Pinto, to whom I wish to make some reports.