"Show the man into the yellow room, let him wait for me there, I will be with him in a moment. The deuce," he muttered to himself when he was alone, "it is a long time since this scoundrel let me hear anything of him, I fancied him hung or drowned; he is a clever scamp, can he really have any important information to give me? We shall see."
Then, leaving the room in which he was, he hastened to the yellow saloon where the man with the card already was.
On seeing the governor, the latter hastily rose, and made him a respectful bow.
The Count turned to the valet who had followed him to open the doors.
"I am not at home to anybody," he said; "you can go."
The valet left the room, and shut the door after him.
"Now for us two," the Count said, as he sank into his chair, and pointed to another.
"I am awaiting your lordship's orders," the stranger said respectfully.
Don Stenio remained for a moment silent, and scratching his forehead.
"You have been away for a very long time," he said at last, "well, what has become of you during the last two months?"