"If she learn it in a twelvemonth, 'twill be time enough."

"A twelvemonth," said Jack, going to his beaker again, for
understanding. "Well, all's as one, so that we can get something in
advance of our payment, to keep us through such a prodigious study."

"I will charge myself with your expenses," says Don Sanchez; and then,
turning to me, he asks if I have any objection to urge.

"I take it, Señor, that you speak in metaphor," says I; "and that this
'comedy' is nought but a stratagem for getting hold of a fortune that
doesn't belong to us."

Don Sanchez calmly assented, as if this had been the most innocent
design in the world.

"Hang me," cries Dawson, "if I thought it was anything but a whimsey of
your honour's."

"I should like to know if we may carry out this stratagem honestly,"
says I.

"Aye," cries Jack. "I'll not agree for cutting of throats or breaking of
bones, for any money."

"I can tell you no more than this," says the Don. "The fortune we may
take is now in the hands of a man who has no more right to it than we
have."

"If that's so," says Jack, "I'm with you, Señor. For I'd as lief bustle