To his religious mind it suggested self-consciousness; expressed in the dialect of the stranger, it only meant "business." "I'm rather glad I found you out here alone," began the latter; "it saves time.

I haven't got to take my turn with the rest, in there,"-- he indicated the church with his thumb,--"and you haven't got to make an appointment.

You have got a clear forty minutes before the Angelus rings," he added, consulting a large silver chronometer, "and I reckon I kin git through my part of the job inside of twenty, leaving you ten minutes for remarks.

I want to confess." Father Pedro drew back with a gesture of dignity.

The stranger, however, laid his hand upon the Padre's sleeve with the air of a man anticipating objection, but never refusal, and went on.
"Of course, I know.