"I heard one of them say 'It is only twenty miles farther', but that was all."
"Ah! that is about the distance I thought it was," Arthur said carelessly. "I suppose the roads are not very good?"
"I don't know which way they went, sir; the road by the river is good enough, the others are not much to speak of."
When they landed they went up to the village. There were some people about in the streets, and from them they learned that the party had taken the road to the north-east. They did not hurry now, the marks of the numerous horses feet were quite sufficient guide. Arthur judged that there would be no possibility of approaching the place where they stopped before nightfall. They therefore did not attempt to lessen the start the party had obtained. After riding for about twenty-five miles they found that the tracks turned off the main road at a village, and they could see a large mansion standing some two miles away.
"That is where they are bound for, I have no doubt whatever," Arthur said. "We will stop at this little inn here."
He went in and ordered a meal to be prepared. "I shall stop here for to-day," he said to the host. "I suppose we can have a couple of rooms?"
"Yes, señor," the man said with an air of much reverence, for guests of his quality were unusual.
In half an hour the host himself brought in the meal.
"You have surely had a good many horsemen along here recently? I have noticed a great many footmarks on the road," Arthur said carelessly; "has a troop of cavalry passed along?"
"No, señor; it was a party of gentlemen riding with the Count de Monterey."