"Agreed: in ten minutes we will be with you."
"You will find your horses at the gate of the first court. I need not recommend you to be armed."
"All right."
The count went to his apartment. Dominique was soon told of the state of affairs; both left the apartments directly after and found the majordomo, who, already mounted, was waiting for them at the open gate of the hacienda. They leapt on their horses and rode out in silence. The hacienda gate was gently closed after them. They went down the incline that led to the plain at a sharp trot.
"Eh," the count said a minute after, "what is the meaning of this? Are we mounted on spectral steeds, that produce no sound in moving?"
"Speak lower, Excellency," the majordomo remarked, "we are probably surrounded by spies; as for the thing that perplexes you so, it is only a very simple precaution; your horse's hoofs are thrust into sheepskin bags filled with sand."
"Hang it!" Ludovic replied, "It seems, then, that we are on a secret expedition."
"Yes, Excellency, secret and most important."
"What is it?"
"I suspect don Melchior."