"I thought you would want something before you went to bed, and I was sure that I did. I have already eaten mine, but here is a fowl, sir, and two bottles of wine."
"Well, I am not sorry to have them, though it is three o'clock in the morning; however, we can sleep as late as we like."
At twelve o'clock, however, Arthur was awakened by Leon entering his room.
"We have been quite uneasy about you, Arthur. Where have you been? What have you been doing with yourself? I came round here four days ago; the concierge said you were out. I called again in the evening, and next morning I learned that, when you left, you had said nothing about any intention of going away; that you had certainly taken no clothes with you, but had gone out with Roper in attendance, just as if you were going for an ordinary ride."
"That was just the intention with which I did go out, but circumstances were too much for me. Now, what I am going to tell you is a complete secret, and before I say anything about it you must give me your promise that it shall not, on any account whatever, go beyond yourself and your sisters."
Leon looked at Arthur in surprise, but, seeing that he was quite in earnest, gave the required pledge.
"Well, you will be surprised to hear that in the four days I have been away I have ridden over three hundred miles."
"Over three hundred miles!"
"Yes. That is not bad for what was really three and a half days' work, for I arrived here at three o'clock this morning."
"You stupefy me," the young count said. "Why, no horse could have done it."