"Oh!" cried he; "It is the cry of a man who is being murdered. What is happening? Mon Dieu!" And he made a movement to jump out of the barque.
"Stop, master," said Tyro, "it is useless; the treachery of Neno need no longer be feared."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, master, that your gauchos have commenced their services; you see that they are valuable men. Go and rejoin the ladies, while I conceal the boat with the aid of these worthy caballeros, whom I already see running in this direction."
The young man rose, without answering, and quitted the boat, staggering like a drunken man.
"It is frightful!" murmured he; "And yet, perhaps, the death of this wretch may save the life of three persons."
He proceeded to the gallery and rejoined the ladies, who were trembling close to each other, not understanding the prolonged absence of the young man, and naturally frightened by the death cry, the mournful echo of which had reached them.
The sight of the Frenchman reassured them.
"What shall we do now?" asked the marchioness, in a low voice.
"In a few minutes we shall know," answered Emile; "we must wait."