“Very well,” said he; “let it be so; the future will reveal the truth. But I have another favour to ask of you.… A certain person, whom I wish from my whole heart to help at any cost, would very much like to know one thing.”
“I shall be most happy,” answered the stranger; “if I can be of any use to your Highness.”
“A certain person,” continued the count, “begged me to make inquiries here in Italy, in Spain, and in general, of seamen, if a certain naval officer is still living. He was on that ship which was totally shipwrecked, five years ago, and of which literally nothing has been heard.”
“A Russian ship?”
“Yes.”
“It was carried away, and dashed to pieces by the storm in the ocean, not far from Africa?”
“Yes.”
“The Northern Eagle?”
“Yes, but how came you to know?”
“It’s not in vain I’m called an Enchanter.”