The duke made a sign for the servant to withdraw.
"This is strange!" murmured he, when the door had closed upon the valet; "What does this departure mean?"
The two Creoles looked at each other with astonishment.
"No," pursued the duke, decidedly, "I cannot yet believe him guilty; there is evidently something in this affair of which we are ignorant."
The door at this moment again opened.
"Señor Captain Don Sylvio Quiroga," announced the servant.
"Let him come in," said Don Zeno.
And turning towards the duke—
"Pardon me, sir; Captain Quiroga is the last officer dispatched by me in pursuit of the fugitives. He is an old traveller. I am much deceived if he does not bring us news."
"He will be very welcome, then," said Don Eusebio.