"Has the count opened his eyes yet?"
"No, sir. He is lying just as he was."
"What is the gentleman's name?"
"Count Eulenfurst."
"You had better give me a draught of wine, before I start. I feel shaken, and it is possible that riding may set my wound bleeding again."
Having drunk a goblet of wine, Fergus went down and mounted his horse. As he did so, he said to one of the men:
"Take a lantern, and go down to the spot where the road hither turns off from the main road. A surgeon will be here in half an hour, or perhaps in twenty minutes. He will be on the lookout for you and your lantern."
Events had passed quickly, and the church bell chimed a quarter to eleven as he rode through the streets of Dresden. In three minutes he drew up at the entrance to the royal quarters. As he dismounted, Karl came out.
"Keep the horse here, Karl," he said. "It may be wanted in a minute or two again."
"Are you hurt, sir?" the man asked as he dismounted, for he saw his face by the light of the torches on each side of the gateway.