A notice in large black letters crowned the frieze of the room with
this warning:


De esta fonda el cabecilla
Al publico advierte
Que nada dejen absolutamente
Sobre alguna mesa ó silla. [56]


"What a notice!" exclaimed Sandoval. "As if he might have confidence
in the police, eh? And what verses! Don Tiburcio converted into a
quatrain--two feet, one longer than the other, between two crutches! If
Isagani sees them, he'll present them to his future aunt."

"Here's Isagani!" called a voice from the stairway. The happy youth
appeared radiant with joy, followed by two Chinese, without camisas,
who carried on enormous waiters tureens that gave out an appetizing
odor. Merry exclamations greeted them.

Juanito Pelaez was missing, but the hour fixed had already passed, so
they sat down happily to the tables. Juanito was always unconventional.

"If in his place we had invited Basilio," said Tadeo, "we should have
been better entertained. We might have got him drunk and drawn some
secrets from him."

"What, does the prudent Basilio possess secrets?"

"I should say so!" replied Tadeo. "Of the most important kind. There