"Ah, indeed!" Louis observed. "Those are tremendous preparations."
"That is not all. Is there not somewhere near here a French colony?"
"Yes, there is," the count said, suddenly becoming serious; "the colony of Guetzalli."
"My father intends to send there, if he has not done so already, his aide-de-camp, Colonel Suarez."
"For what purpose?"
"I suppose to neutralise, by the brilliant promises made to the colonists, the assistance you might expect from them."
Louis became pensive.
"We must make up our minds," Valentine said sharply, "while the company is preparing, to open the campaign speedily. We must send some safe person to Guetzalli. As the colonists are French it is impossible for them not to make common cause with us in a quarrel like that which compels us to take up arms, and which concerns them as much as ourselves."
"You are right, brother. No more delay; but let us act vigorously. You will accompany me to Guetzalli."
"What do you mean?"