- The narration picks up near the mine with Don Pepe. We learn Montero has sent two men to ask Don Pepe to name the conditions under which he will give over the mine in working order. Don Pepe reads the message without sending a response back.
- He then relays the offer to Father Román, as well as the news that Charles Gould is still alive, for now.
- Don Pepe and the priest discuss the likelihood of being able to continue to protect the mine. He resolves to do everything he can to protect the mine from a takeover. He is pleased, however, not to make that intention immediately clear to Montero, which is why he just doesn't send back any kind of reply to the request.
- However, he also thinks that the personnel of the mine should take up arms, go to town, and fight—he will just need someone reliable to stay back and execute Gould's instructions (i.e., destroying the mine if it fell into enemy hands). It seems that he has a certain priest in mind for the job…