The Helmet of Mambrino 



of the smiling widow, and pricked for- 

 ward down a narrow way which led 

 to the open plain. We were descend- 

 ing a gentle slope on the outskirts of 

 the pueblo when we were overtaken 

 by the secretary's servant, who charged 

 down upon us, his donkey nearly up- 

 setting mine in the collision. 



Like a wizard in a show, he drew 

 from under his jacket an incredibly 

 bright and brand-new barber's basin. 



" The secretary," he said, " remem- 

 bered, just after you had gone, that 

 the old Duchess of Molino had de- 

 posited with him, as security for a 

 large loan, this basin, which is proved 

 to have been the authentic and only 

 one from which Cervantes was shaved 

 every day while prisoner at Argamo- 

 sillo. The secretary knew that you 

 would like to see this valued relic, 

 and to touch it with your own hand. 

 The duchess, senor (lowering his eyes 

 and face), is in gloria. For ten duros 



34 



