Erhard Trusches appeared sad and absorbed; the baron, surprised at not seeing Létorière at the rendezvous, questioned Erhard about him.
After a moment's silence, Erhard said, with a timid and uneasy air, "Is my lord well acquainted with his guest?"
"What do you mean, Erhard? Where is the Marquis? Did he not come with you this morning to the wood?"
"Yes, my lord, that is why I ask you if you are sure of him. See here, my lord, it will bring me mischief, joking last night at supper about the blessing."
"Ah! explain yourself!"
"I mean to say, my lord"—and Erhard went on with a low and trembling voice—"I very much fear that your guest is he who appears sometimes in the moonlight, in the solitary recesses of the forest, to offer to desperate huntsmen three balls, one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead, and the whole at the price of their souls!" added Erhard, with a gloomy and frightened air.
"So! you take my guest for the devil, then," cried the baron, shrugging his shoulders and laughing; "your morning cup has turned your brain, old Erhard!"
The huntsman shook his head, and replied: "My lord, explain to me how it is that he whom you call your guest, and who has never been in this forest before, knows it as well as I do."
"What do you mean to say?" said the baron, very much astonished.
"This morning at daylight, when I started with the Marquis, 'Master Erhard,' said he to me, 'if you will let me take a hound, we will share the search of the forest. I will go over the enclosures of the priory of the Hermit's Chapel, of the Thunder-struck Fir-tree, and of the Black Pool.'"