The count turned sharply. A lancero was coming up at full gallop.
"El señor conde?" he asked.
"I am he," Don Louis answered.
The soldier held out to him a sealed despatch. The count took it with an indescribable flutter of the heart, and rapidly ran over the lines. Suddenly he uttered a shout of joy.
"Listen," he said; "here is the order I have so long been expecting. The President of the Republic authorizes us to set out immediately for the mines. Comrades, we will be off at once for the Plancha de Plata."
"To the mines!" the adventurers shouted.
On folding up the paper, Don Louis noticed a few words in French written at the foot of the envelope.
"What is this?" he muttered.
He then read:—
"Start at once. Perhaps counter orders have already been given. Your enemies are on the alert."