"That is another thing, sir."
"Can you procure for me a covered litter?"
"Yes, sir, there is mine."
"And can this go to Devil's Cliff?"
"To the foot of the mountain only, not a step further, for they say it is impossible for a horse to climb the heaped-up and yawning rocks."
"Very good; will you, then, be so good, baron, as to have this litter prepared, as well as a mount for me; I will leave it at the foot of the cliff."
"Yes, sir."
"I warn you, baron, that it is of the greatest importance that the object of this enterprise be perfectly concealed; all will be lost if they are warned of my visit to Devil's Cliff; we shall not inform the escort of our destination until outside Fort Royal, and we shall make, I hope, as much haste as the roads will permit. In a word, baron," continued the envoy, with a confidential air, which he had not assumed until then, "mystery is so much the more indispensable that it concerns a state secret and the future of two great nations."
"Because of Blue Beard?" said the governor, questioning with a curious glance the cold and grave face of De Chemerant.
"Because of Blue Beard."