“For you, my friend,” he continued, turning to the table and taking up a sealed letter, “there is this; if anything should happen to me read this letter, and I pray you to carry out my request contained in it.”
“To the very letter,” replied the Baron.
“You were to provide the arms,” said Louis.
“Yes,” I replied, “but just as I was coming away I found that one of the dogs did not bark properly, so we shall be obliged to get a case of pistols from Devisme.”
Louis looked at me, smiled, and held out his hand. He knew quite well that I did not wish to see him killed with my pistols.
“Have you a carriage?” he asked; “if not I will send Joseph for one.”
“My coupé is here,” said the Baron, “and can carry three at a pinch; besides, my horses will take us more quickly than a fiacre.”
“Let us go,” said Louis.
We went downstairs. Joseph was waiting at the door.