There was the silence of astonishment.  Those were beginning to turn their heads, attracted by the noise of the door, did not go on with the movement.  Those in front remained with their eyes fixed on the one who was entering, eyes widened with surprise as if they could not believe what they saw.  The gramophone was suddenly hushed. Hindenburg, who was washing out a glass, remained with motionless hands, without even taking the napkin from its crystal cavity.

Ferragut seated himself near an empty table with his back against the wall.  A waiter, the only one in the establishment, hastened to find out what the gentleman wished.  He was an Andalusian, small and sprightly, whose escapades had brought him to Barcelona.  He usually served his customers with indifference, without taking any interest in their words and their hymns.  He “didn’t mix himself up in politics.”  Accustomed to the ways of gay and hot-blooded people, he suspected that this man had come to pick a quarrel, and hoped to soften him with his smiling and obsequious manner.

The sailor spoke to him aloud.  He knew that in that low cafe his name was frequently used and that there were many there who desired to see him.  He could give them the message that Captain Ferragut was there at their disposition.

“I shall do so,” said the Andalusian.

And he went away to the counter, bringing him, in a little while, a bottle and a glass.

In vain Ulysses fixed his glance on those who were occupying the nearby tables.  Some, turning their backs upon him, were absolutely rigid; others had their eyes cast down and were talking quietly with mysterious whispering.

Finally two or three exchanged glances with the captain.  In their pupils was the snap of budding wrath.  The first surprise having vanished, they seemed disposed to rise up and fall upon the recent arrival.  But some one behind him appeared to be controlling them with murmured orders, and they finally obeyed him, lowering their eyes in submissive restraint.

Ulysses soon tired of this silence.  He was beginning to find his attitude of animal-tamer rather ridiculous.  He did not know whom to assail in a place where they avoided his glance and all contact with him.  On the nearest table there was an illustrated newspaper, and he took possession of it, turning its leaves.  It was printed in German, but he pretended to read it with great interest.

He had seated himself at the side, leaving free the hip on which his revolver was resting.  His hand, feigning distraction, passed near the opening of his pocket, ready to take up arms in case of attack.  In a little while he regretted this excessively swaggering posture.  They were going to fall upon him, taking advantage of his reading.  But pride made him remain motionless, that they might not suspect his uneasiness.

Then he laughed in an insolent way as though he were reading in the German illustration something that was provoking his jibes.  As though this were not enough, he raised his eyes with aggressive curiosity in order to study the portraits adorning the wall.