"How?" replied the baron. "Blue Beard, then, counts for something in a state secret, in the peace of two great nations?"
Monsieur de Chemerant, who did not like repetition, made an affirmative sign and continued, "I also beg of you, baron, that you will see that the frigate's boat does not leave the wharf, so that I may return on board and put to sea without remaining here a second, if, as I hope, my mission be successful. Ah! I forgot; the litter must be such that it can be entirely closed."
"But, sir, is it, then, a prisoner that you are in search of?"
"Sir," said De Chemerant, rising, "a thousand pardons for repeating to you that the king ordered me to make inquiries of you instead of——"
"Good, very good, sir," said the governor. "Then I may open the windows?" asked the baron, who was suffocated in this apartment.
"I see nothing to prevent, baron."
The governor arose.
"So, baron," said De Chemerant, "it is understood that you do not inform the guide who is to conduct me of my destination, until the moment of our departure?"
"But in the meantime, sir, if I send for him, what shall I say to him?"
The visitor seemed astonished at the simplicity of the governor, and said to him, "Who is this guide, sir?"