“It is an insult to my blade to have it enter your body!” — Johnston McCulley

“My men must do something to pass the time, and they may as well search the house. You have nothing you wish to hide?”

“Recognizing the identity of my guests, it might be well to hide the wine-jugs,” Fray Felipe said.

“Shall it be that I never hear of anything except deeds of bloodshed and violence? Would it be possible in these turbulent times for a man to listen to words of wisdom regarding music or the poets?”

“As a matter of fact, I am up early because I must make a confounded trip to my hacienda, a journey of some ten miles, to inspect the flocks and herds. Never become a wealthy man, Sergeant Gonzales, for wealth asks too much of a man.”

“Something tells me that never shall I suffer on that account,” said the sergeant, laughing.