"And what have you learnt?"
"Upon my word," replied Don Zeno, half turning towards the French diplomatist, "I have learnt one thing that will much astonish you, Monsieur le Duc, and that I do not yet dare to believe."
"What?" said the duke, smiling; "Have I, without knowing it, aided the flight of your prisoners?"
"Well," said Don Zeno, laughing, "it is something of that sort."
"Ah! Upon my word!" cried the duke; "You are going to explain, are you not, general?"
"I am quite willing, Monsieur le Duc; but, reassure yourself; you are not concerned in all this—only one of your friends."
"One of my friends! But I am a foreigner; there is no one except you that I know in the town, where I have come, for the first time, only a few days ago."
"Just so," said Don Zeno, laughing; "it is one of your compatriots."
"One of my compatriots!"
"Yes, a certain Emile Gagnepain. It would appear that he has—understand that I am only the echo of an on dit, general—"