Chapter 8 Summary

Chapter 8 - A Nocturnal Visit: Alatriste uses the key to break into Luis de Alquezar's house in the night. He had earlier that day seen don Quevedo off at the Calle de las Postas. The poet had taken traveling gear and the slip of paper containing the four words written by Olivares.

Alatriste sneaks upstairs to the secretary's bedroom and finds him fast asleep. The secretary awakens with Alatriste's dagger at his throat. Alatriste demands to know what Alquezar will do with the boy. The secretary feigns ignorance, but is clearly terrified. He finally says that he might be able to do something. Alatriste knocks over a jug of water, and a few moments later, Angelica de Alquezar appears in the doorway carrying a candle. She screams at the sight of Alatriste. She races forward and attacks a befuddled Alatriste, sinking her teeth...