He was rising from his comfortable seat, when the landlord said, "The horse is not here; the man has only just heard in the village that monsieur required one."
"Still, he may bring it round soon enough in the morning! At what time do you intend to start, captain?"
"Not a moment later than six."
"Well, I will ask him," and without the least appearance of hurry, though my heart was thumping like a big hammer, I left the room.
This was the one critical moment. Would Courcy scent mischief and follow? I purposely left the door ajar so that they might listen to the conversation while they could see my hat and cloak in the room.
"Now, my man," I began brusquely, "about this horse? Can you bring it here by five o'clock in the morning?"
"Certainly, monsieur."
"If it suits me, there will be no haggling over the price, but unless the animal is thoroughly sound you will have your trouble for nothing."
"Monsieur will be satisfied, I know. It is as good a horse as one would wish to meet with."
"Well, we shall see. Be here at five o'clock sharp, or even a little earlier."