"By the powers, Captain Markart!"
"Monsieur Zerkovitch, by Heaven!"
They laughed again.
"Ah, and we might have had a pleasant ride together!"
"I should have rejoiced in the solace of your conversation!"
But neither asked the other why he had behaved in such a ridiculous manner.
"And our destination is the same?" asked Zerkovitch. "You stop here at the Castle?"
"Yes, yes, Monsieur Zerkovitch. And you?"
"Yes, Captain, yes; my journey ends at the Castle."
The men led away their horses, which sorely needed tending, and they mounted the wooden causeway side by side, both feeling foolish, yet sure they had done right. In the doorway stood Peter Vassip with his lantern.