“If you will lead the way,” said the Baron Giordano, “we will follow.”
The Viscount preceded us to the spot indicated. It was about thirty paces distant, at the bottom of a gentle slope surrounded on all sides by a screen of brushwood, and seemed fitted by nature as the theatre of such an event as was about to take place.
“M. Martelli,” said the Viscount, “will you measure the distance by me?” The Baron assented, and thus side by side he and M. de Chateaugrand measured twenty ordinary paces.
I was then left for a few seconds alone with M. de Franchi.
“Apropos,” he said, “you will find my will on the table where I was writing when you came in this morning.”
“Good,” I replied, “you may rest quite easy on that score.”
“When you are ready, gentlemen,” said the Viscount de Chateaugrand.
“I am here,” replied Louis. “Adieu, dear friend! thank you for all the trouble you have taken for me, without counting all you will have to do for me later on.” I pressed his hand. It was cold, but perfectly steady.
“Now,” I said, “forget the apparition of last night, and aim your best.”
“You remember de Freyschutz?”