And, most important consideration of all, how would Carera contrive to send me the right man?
The mystery was solved more quickly than I expected.
After leaving the tribunal, my escort took me back by the way we had come, the police captain, who was showing himself much more friendly (probably because he looked on me as a good "Christian" and a dying man), walking beside instead of behind me; and when we were within a hundred yards or so of the _carcel_ I observed a Franciscan friar pacing slowly toward us.
I felt intuitively that this was my man; and when he drew nearer a slight movement of his eyebrows and a quick look of intelligence told me that I was right.
"I have no acquaintance among the clergy of Caracas," I said to my conductor.

"This friar will serve my purpose as well as a regular priest." "As you like, senor.

Shall I ask him to see you ?" "_Gracias senor capitan_, if you please." Whereupon the officer respectfully accosted the friar, and after telling him that I had been condemned to die at sunrise on the morrow, asked if he would receive my confession and give me such religious consolation as my case required.
"_Con mucho gusto, capitan_," answered the friar.

"When would the senor like me to visit him ?" "At once, father.

My hours are numbered, and I would fain spend the night in meditation and prayer." "Come with us, father," said the captain.